Define teeth whitening

Teeth whitening basics

Some dental practices offer in-office teeth whitening. In-office teeth whitening offers the fastest and most dramatic results. The dentist will apply a whitening agent to the surface of your teeth, then use a laser light or heat source to activate the agent. The agent removes stains and lightens your teeth simultaneously.

Teeth whitening options

If you have yellow or stained teeth, teeth whitening may be a good option for you. Cosmetic dentists use whitening treatments to whiten teeth. We offer in-office and at-home whitening treatments.

- In-office treatments: In-office whitening treatments use stronger whitening agents than at-home whitening treatments. We offer Zoom! Whitening, Kor Whitening, and Opalescence Boost. These treatments offer results in as little as 30 minutes.

- Home whitening treatments: We offer Opalescence Go, Opalescence PF, and Opalescence Quick, which are at-home whitening treatments. These teeth whitening trays are similar to mouthguards. You apply a whitening gel to the trays and wear them for one hour each day.

Teeth whitening cost

Teeth whitening costs vary, depending on the treatment. The least expensive treatment is bleaching toothpaste, which can be purchased over the counter. However, whitening toothpaste is less effective than other whitening methods. You should talk to your dentist about professional whitening treatments.

Professional treatments include the following:

- Zoom professional whitening

- Laser whitening

- Whitening trays

- Special gels

The professional treatments are offered at your dentist’s office. They are typically recommended if at-home whitening treatments do not provide the desired results. If you are worried about the cost of professional whitening, schedule a consultation to find out how much it will cost.

Laser teeth whitening

What is laser teeth whitening?

Laser teeth whitening (also known as [[professional teeth whitening]]) is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that brightens teeth in the smile line. The procedure uses a bleaching agent combined with an ultraviolet light. This combination destroys deep stains caused by tobacco use, coffee, tea, wine, and cola.

Zoom teeth whitening

Zoom teeth whitening is one of the more popular methods of teeth whitening among our patients. Patients often choose Zoom because it is fast, easy, and painless. The treatment can be completed in 2 hours and patients leave the office with a noticeably whiter smile.

Teeth whitening alternatives

Whitening products are a common choice for patients who are looking to brighten their smiles. While over-the-counter whitening products are effective, they typically only help with mild discoloration. Using these products in tandem with a whitening treatment from your dental professional can help to whiten your smile up to 8 shades.

Teeth whitening gels

Teeth whitening gels are applied at home, either on custom-designed trays or strips. The gel contains a higher percentage of bleaching agent than over-the-counter whitening products. We recommend that patients use the product for 30 to 45 minutes per day for seven to 14 days.

There are two common teeth whitening gels used. They include:

- 10% hydrogen peroxide gel

- 15% carbamide peroxide gel

At-home teeth whitening gels are a safe and effective method of whitening the teeth. If you have any other questions about teeth whitening, please feel free to schedule a consultation.

Teeth whitening toothpastes

While over-the-counter whitening toothpastes don’t contain bleaching agents, they can remove surface stains and plaque with regular brushing. They can also freshen your breath.

Whitening toothpastes can’t remove deep stains or fix tooth discoloration caused by trauma, antibiotics, or illnesses. You should discuss other cosmetic options with your dentist if the stains are deeper.

Teeth whitening rinses

There are a variety of over the counter whitening rinses on the market. Most are 10% carbamide peroxide and require you to use them twice a day for up to eight weeks to see results. The directions will tell you how long to leave them on your teeth.

Whitening rinses only work to remove surface stains on your teeth. They will not lighten all of your teeth, so it is important to continue with your whitening trays after finishing your whitening rinses to get the results you want.