Dental Bleaching & Teeth Whitening

The number one cosmetic request at the Dentist is dental bleaching. It is a quick and simple way to improve your overall smile. There a lot of different methods and products available to brighten your smile; something for everyone’s budget and time frame.

Bleaching and Whitening are two terms commonly used when it comes to lightening your teeth. Technically the term bleaching can only be used when the product contains a bleach ingredient such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide in varying percentages and has the ability to make the teeth lighter than the original surface shade. The term whitening refers to removing of surface stain and any debri to return the teeth to the original surface color. Actually tooth paste or any other product that cleans is technically a “tooth whitener”. But, it must be noted, that at home teeth bleaching, and in-office dental whitening, won't change the color of your temporary dental crowns, gold or porcelain dental crowns, or of any overlays, or dental bridges in your mouth.

There are 3 methods of bleaching your teeth, the “in office” treatment done at your dentist office, the “take home” method dispensed by your dental office, and the “over the counter” bleaching that is purchased at stores.

• In office bleaching is the fastest and most costly. A high percentage of hydrogen peroxide is placed on your teeth by the Dentist or assistant after your gums have been covered by a rubber dam to protect them. It’s allowed to stay on for 15 minute intervals or a bit more depending on the amount of bleaching desired.
  
• The professionally dispensed take home bleaching kits include a lower dose of peroxide and soft plastic trays made specifically for you by the dental staff. The bleach gel is placed in the trays and worn for a specified amount of time, anywhere from ½ hour to overnight depending on the brand and strength.
  
• The cheapest method to whiten your teeth is the over the counter products. These include an even lower strength of bleaching gel than the in office gels and a one size fits all tray/strips or paint brush. Some people get the amount of whitening they want from these products over time but the over the counter products take longer and will only bleach so much due to the lower percentage of peroxide.