Teeth whitening
Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments offering a quick, non-invasive and affordable way to enhance a smile.
Teeth whitening
Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments offering a quick, non-invasive and affordable way to enhance a smile. Universally valued by men and women alike, whitening (or bleaching) treatments are available to satisfy every budget, time frame and temperament. Whether in the form of professionally administered one-hour whitening sessions at a dental office or cosmetic spa, or home-use bleaching kits purchased at your local drugstore, solutions abound. Virtually everyone who opts for a teeth whitening solution sees moderate to substantial improvement in the brightness and whiteness of their smile. That said, it’s not a permanent solution to discoloration and requires maintenance or “touch-ups” for a prolonged effect. In this article we break down everything related to teeth whitening, including the process of tooth discoloration, what causes staining, the various treatment options available, and their associated risks and costs.
What are some different teeth-whitening methods?
The dentist will prescribe either an in-office bleaching system while you are in the dental chair, or a dentist-supervised, at-home bleaching, which is more economical and, in many cases, gives the same results. One option for at-home bleaching involves using a custom-made tray that can be worn comfortably while you are awake or sleeping. The tray is so thin that you should even be able to talk and work while wearing it. Some bleaching systems recommend bleaching your teeth from 2 to 4 hours a day. These usually take 3 to 6 weeks to complete and work best on people with sensitive teeth. Other systems recommend bleaching your teeth at night, while you sleep, which may take only 10 to 14 days to complete. Your dentist can recommend the best system for your needs, and instruct you on the correct usage. Recently, more over-the-counter products are available that offer simple whitening solutions. However, they may not provide the dramatic improvement that a professional treatment option offers.

Recovery
Teeth whitening is one of the few cosmetic procedures that require no recovery time. The longest in-office teeth whitening treatment lasts an hour and no follow-up is required. While there are a few general behavioral practices to follow after your teeth whitening treatment to maximize results, these in no way impact recovery.