Teeth whitening is one of the most popular ways of changing the appearance of our smile. Teeth often darken as we age due to staining from tobacco, coffee, tea, juices, medication or genetics. Whitening is a non-invasive, very conservative way of creating a whiter brighter smile. The products used are safe, simple and inexpensive and can give a predictable result.

The ADA (American Dental Association) advises patients to consult with their dentist to determine the most appropriate treatment. This is especially important for patients with many fillings, crowns, and extremely dark stains. A thorough examination should be completed by your dentist to see if you are a candidate for whitening and then monitored during the whitening process for safe, effective results.

Types of Teeth Whitening Procedures

At-Home Method

Custom trays are made at the dental office from molds taken of your teeth. This tray holds the whitening agent against your teeth for a specific period of time and tends to cause less sensitivity to your gums since they are made for your teeth. The regimen will be determined by the dentist and may differ for each patient. Generally the trays are worn for 30 minutes twice daily for 10 to 14 days. If sensitivity occurs a desensitizing agent may be used in the same tray and sensitivity will go away after just a few days. This is the most popular and safe method of whitening as once you have the costum made trays you can buy refill whitening agents to do touch ups as needed.

In-Office Method

Whitening can be accomplished in just a couple visits with this option. The whitening agent used is very powerful so the gums are covered to protect them, the teeth only are covered with the whitening material. This usually only takes around a hour and teeth can lighten up to 10 shades depending on the type of stain. Touch up is generally needed in 1 to 5 years depending on habits and desires.