Teeth Bleaching Basics

The most popular cosmetic procedure on Earth isn’t the facelift, tummy tuck, or nose job. In fact, it isn’t even performed by plastic surgeons. About ten millio
Americans pay for tooth whitening products or services each year. The total amount we spend to get that perfect “Hollywood smile” is reliably estimated at 1.7 billion dollars.

What are the benefits?

From ancient times to the modern era, white teeth have always been an attractive, eye-catching sign of health. A gleaming smile also connoted wealth and status in the past, since only those who ate right and took care of their teeth had white ones. In contemporary times, just about anybody can erase dental stains caused by coffee, soda, and wine with a single visit to a cosmetic dentist.

What is teeth bleaching?

Most whitening agents are peroxide-based compounds that erase stains through an oxidation process. The peroxide actually penetrates the outer layer of the teeth, the enamel, and once oxidation occurs, the teeth will reflect less light and look several shades whiter. All tooth whitening products are fairly effective at reducing, even eliminating dental discoloration. But some are more effective than others.

As a general rule, the teeth bleaching kits that are sold over-over-the-counter, either in paste or strip form, are not nearly as powerful as the ones licensed dentists use. If used or applied on a regular basis, they can brighten your smile a few shades, but they cannot remove deeply ingrained stains. Smokers, coffee drinkers, and wine lovers may see an improvement, but they will never get that Hollywood smile with over-the-counter teeth bleaching kits.

Why is this?

Because the peroxide-based whiteners that are sold in stores only contain about 10 percent hydrogen peroxide, compared to 30-40 percent for professionally applied products. It is for this reason that dentists often achieve better results in a single hour-long session than home users get in weeks, even months. Professional teeth bleaching can be separated into two general categories. What are they?

Power whitening

During this procedure, a dental professional applies the hydrogen peroxide compound and then uses either an argon laser light or a blue-light to expedite oxidation. Power whitening is not only faster than other methods, it is also more effective. It is not at all uncommon for patients to go from dull, discolored teeth to gleaming, bright ones in only about an hour.

The main disadvantage of this procedure is the cost. Power whitening is easily the priciest teeth bleaching option. Expect to pay between $600 and $1,000 for this popular in-office treatment. Because high concentrations of peroxide must be used, this option may not be the best method for people with sensitive teeth or porcelain veneers.

Custom Trays

A slightly less expensive option, custom trays are mouth guards that are made by your dentist after he/she takes impressions (molds) of your lower and upper teeth. These trays can then be filled with whitening agents and then applied as need, at home. A few applications is generally enough to see noticeable results. The downside of this teeth bleaching option is that it takes more time. It can also be quite messy. Powerful teeth whitening agents can stain clothing, bedding, even your skin!