The teeth whitening process involves removing stains & lightening the color of your teeth. You can accomplish it at home or in a dentist’s office. Bleaching agents that contain peroxide are typically used for teeth whitening. Between 3% and 20% peroxide is present in at-home systems. Peroxide content in professional teeth whitening in Fishers, IN, ranges from 15% to 43%. In general, teeth become whiter depending on how strong the solution is and how long you leave it on.
However, the whitening solution should stay on your teeth for a shorter time if the percentage of peroxide in it is really high. Teeth will become more sensitive and dry out if the solution is left on for an extended time. Each option has advantages and disadvantages, so consult your dentist before using at-home tooth-bleaching kits. Not everybody will experience success. Tooth-colored composite bondings and porcelain crowns cannot be made whiter by bleaching.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Your teeth can become brighter more quickly with professional teeth whitening. Generally speaking, the bleaching solution is far stronger than what comes in at-home kits. To expedite and enhance the teeth-whitening procedure, your dentist may also employ heat, light, or a mixture of both.
The most noticeable outcomes—teeth typically become three to eight shades brighter—usually require multiple 30- to 60-minute in-office appointments. Certain dentists employ methods (like the Zoom system) that allow for completion in a single, two-hour appointment. In-office teeth whitening procedures can cost anywhere from $500 to $1,000.
At-Home Teeth Whitening
There are a number of ways to whiten your teeth at home. Some standard methods include:
- Tooth whitening strips and gels.
These peroxide-based tooth whitening treatments are applied directly to the teeth using a brush or a thin strip, and they typically require one to two applications per day for ten to fourteen days. They can lighten your teeth by one or two shades. Results remain for at least four months. Items may range in price from $10 to $55.
- Tray-based tooth bleaching systems.
For up to four weeks, a mouthguard-shaped tray filled with a bleaching gel or paste containing peroxide is applied to the teeth for one to multiple hours daily. Teeth whitening systems that use trays can be purchased over the counter or customized by your dentist. The price may vary between $150 and $600.
- Tooth whitening toothpastes.
Every toothpaste helps eliminate stains from teeth because it has a mild abrasive ingredient. However, chemicals or polishing substances found in whitening toothpaste also help remove stains without the need for bleaching agents. Tooth-whitening toothpastes brighten teeth by approximately one shade and are reasonably priced. While some contain peroxides, their duration on the teeth is insufficient to produce a noticeable whitening effect.
