Top Teeth Whitening Procedures

Information About Teeth Whitening

Over time, teeth can become yellowed and dull as a result of eating habits, smoking or genetics. Patients often wish to whiten teeth with cosmetic dentistry procedures to obtain the radiant, beautiful smiles they once had. Cosmetic dentists perform a variety of in-house teeth whitening procedures, including BriteSmile, Opalescence Boost, Den-Mat Sapphire Chairside Whitening System, Zoom! Chairside Whitening and deep bleaching. These techniques vary in the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the whitening gels, laser technologies, time and cost. Deep bleaching is an ongoing teeth whitening practice that includes in-office bleaching, as well as at-home treatments. This technique often lessens stubborn stains and provides long term results.

Patients who wish to obtain whiter teeth in the privacy of their home can speak to a cosmetic dentist about obtaining a professionally dispensed take-home whitening kit, which contains customized application trays and high concentrated whitening gels. Some of the most requested professionally dispensed take-home whitening kits are Discus Dental Nite White and Day White ACP, Discus Dental Nite White Turbo, Discus Dental Zoom! Weekender Kit, Opalescence by Ultradent and Opalescence Treswhite Supreme. The kits vary in cost, application time and concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the whitening gel.

To treat mild yellowing, many patients buy over-the-counter teeth whitening kits, like Crest Whitestrips or Listerine Whitening Quick Dissolving Strips. The whitening gel used in these products has less concentration of hydrogen peroxide than professionally dispensed whitening kits, giving patients more moderate results. Over-the-counter whitening kits may include whitening strips, brush-on whiteners and whitening toothpaste. All of these products can produce results if patients administer them correctly and consistently.

Teeth whitening cost is dependent on a variety of factors, including the technique and the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the whitening gel. The cost for in-house teeth whitening is around $650 per visit, which may require multiple visits. Professionally dispensed take-home whitening kits range from $100 to $400, while over-the-counter whitening kits cost anywhere from $20 to $100.

Teeth Whitening and Other Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

Many people combine their teeth whitening procedure with other cosmetic dentistry procedures, including porcelain veneers or dental implants. In many instances, cosmetic dentists offer smile makeovers, or a combination of cosmetic dentistry procedures to transform patients' teeth to beautiful, radiant smiles. Porcelain veneers is a widely requested cosmetic dentistry procedure for patients who wish to change the size or shape of their teeth, as well as correct for chips or discoloration. During the procedure, cosmetic dentists create personalized shells to go over the teeth, which are bonded to the teeth using resin cement. Because cosmetic dentists customize veneers, patients can obtain proportionate sizes and shapes for their teeth to bring overall harmony to their face. The cost of porcelain veneers can be pricey, ranging from $250 to $1500 per tooth.

Another form of dental veneers is "no-prep" veneers, which are bonded to the front of the teeth. "No-prep" veneers, like Lumineers, offer a less invasive approach to dental veneers and can correct for tooth discoloration.

While some patients receive dental veneers to correct for crooked teeth and gaps, others undergo orthodontics to straighten their teeth. Many people recognize the traditional orthodontic method of dental braces; however, many new advancements have been made in the field. Patients can receive tooth-colored dental braces and more comfortable models. In addition, treatment time has been reduced thanks to computer-aided technologies that chart ideal tooth locations. A popular orthodontic alternative to dental braces is Invisalign teeth aligners. These clear, removable sets of aligners are used by patients over a short period of time within the convenience of their schedules. The cost of Invisalign is similar to dental braces, about $3,000 to $5,000.

Sitemap | LASIK | Mediafact