Teeth Whitening Procedures

Teeth Whitening Procedures

Tooth whitening is a common treatment for enhancing one’s appearance through sparkling, white teeth. There are a number of ways to perform tooth whitening. The most common techniques that fall under the umbrella of tooth whitening include chemical whitening, acid whitening, (abrasive teeth brightening,) and the newest technique, laser teeth whitening.

Laser Tooth Whitening
Laser tooth whitening is the most effective method of teeth whitening. Dentists clean the teeth prior to treatment in order to remove any plaque on the teeth or gums. The dentist then applies a peroxide gel to enhance the results of the laser treatment. The laser light activates the gel by exciting the peroxide molecules. Laser tooth whitening usually takes about an hour and results are immediate. This technique is popular among all types of patients, including those with sensitive teeth. As the newest form of tooth whitening, laser tooth whitening is the most effective means to achieving white teeth, though it is also the most expensive. Laser tooth whitening usually costs between $1,000 and $2,000, depending on the individual cosmetic dentist and the extent of treatment needed.

Bleaching Gel
Professional cosmetic dentists use bleaching gel for in-office whitening procedures. Your dentist will first use a rubber material to protect your gums from the gel. Then he applies a high-concentration peroxide gel to the teeth for several 15 to 20 minutes periods. The concentration of the hydrogen peroxide usually ranges from 10 to 40 percent. The whole procedure usually takes about an hour, depending on the number of times the doctor needs to apply the gel. Some particularly stubborn stains will require more treatment than others.

Teeth bleaching can take place at the dentist’s office or in your own home. Many people prefer to perform the treatment themselves to reduce the cost of teeth whitening. However, you will want to discuss the procedure with your dentist and ensure you are a good candidate for tooth whitening.  

Custom Fit Tray Bleaching
This method of whitening is performed in dental clinics or in the patient’s home. Using a custom fit tray specially molded to your mouth, you or your cosmetic dentist will apply a whitening solution to your teeth. There are one-size-fits-all trays patients can get from pharmacies; however, the customized trays are significantly more effective. If you undergo this method of whitening at home, your doctor will supply you with the needed instructions and amounts of whitening solution needed.

Over-the-Counter Whitening Strips
Whitening strips are the most common technique to teeth whitening because of its convenience factor. As an at-home teeth whitening treatment, strips are applied by the patient in his or her home. Patients apply a whitening strip over the upper and lower teeth to be worn between thirty and sixty minutes once a day. Some patients see results within a few days though it generally takes a week or two to see optimal results. This method of whitening is significantly cheaper than in office procedures, though it is not nearly as powerful nor as long-lasting.