Whitening Your Teeth?

Do you have whitening on your wish-list?

Most dental offices offer more than one option for whitening your teeth.   Once you’ve decided to whiten your teeth, it’s important to choose the whitening method that is best for you.  

Disposable Whitening Strips or Trays

Your dentist may provide disposable whitening strips for you to use at home that may seem similar to those available over the counter in retail stores.  However, they are three times stronger than the strips found in retail stores, thus providing superior results.  This is a very affordable option for whitening your teeth, and does not require your dentist to fit you for custom made trays.  The disadvantage, however, is that it offers the least dramatic results, and only whitens your front teeth.

Take-Home Whitening

Your dentist may also offer custom-made whitening trays, which will whiten both your front and back teeth.   You simply put a small amount of the whitening solution in the custom trays and wear them for an hour a day or while you sleep.   Within a few days, you will see dramatic results.  This type of whitening is more expensive than the disposable strips, but it delivers more dramatic results and all of your teeth will be whitened.  Also, these trays can be reused for future whitening if needed.

Professional In-Office Whitening

Lastly, your dentist may paint a highly concentrated whitening solution on your teeth while you are in the office.  Typically this takes about 60-90 minutes, and thus requires an appointment.   Immediate results will be seen, but it needs to be combined with the take-home whitening, which is included, to achieve the best results.  This is the most expensive form of whitening, but it delivers immediate results.

Other considerations

Several variables can affect your whitening results.  Your starting tooth color may affect the degree to which you can whiten your teeth, and any pre-existing fillings and crowns will not whiten.  It is important to address all tooth decay and periodontal problems before you begin whitening.  Lastly, compliance is the key: following your dentist’s directions and being consistent will give you the best results.

Take the time to consider all of these options before deciding which is best for you.   If you do, you’ll be one step closer to your beautiful holiday smile.