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subject: How Does Cosmetic Teeth Whitening Work? [print this page]


Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures offerred by dentists. The term refers to the process of removing or restoring stained and discolored teeth back to a more natural color. Teeth whitening is also referred to as teeth bleaching, and it can be accomplished using several techniques. These methods include take-home teeth whitening kits from your cosmetic dentist, store-bought teeth whitening kits, and in-office teeth whitening.

How Do Teeth Whitening Procedures Work?

When you choose to undergo in-office teeth whitening, your cosmetic dentist will apply a peroxide gel to your teeth and let it sit. This will last for a timeframe of 15-30 minutes and makes use of either a mouth guard to hold the solution in place or a laser light to help speed the process of bleaching your teeth. This is the quickest method to whiten your teeth, but costs the most money. Depending on the area of the country you live, it can cost between $500 and $1000 USD to have the in-office treatment accomplished.

When you choose the "take-home" teeth whitening kit option, this will normally consist of a take home whitening tray and strips. You can only obtain these from a dentist and provide results that last up to six months. They make use of a plastic mouth guard that is custom-fit to your mouth and peroxide gel which is not as strong as what you get at the dentist's office. The cost of a take-home kit can range between $50 and $500 USD depending on if your mouth guard is custom-fit or not and how much peroxide is purchased from your dentist to use for the treatment. Your dentist as an alternative can provide a take-home teeth whitening strip to use. You just have to put the strip on your upper and lower teeth and remove after use. They are easier to use, but take longer to whiten your teeth.

The third alternative you can choose for an at-home teeth whitening solution is a store bought kit to whiten your teeth. This will range in cost from $10 to $50 USD. A store-bough kit, however, will not contain peroxide that is as strong as what a licensed cosmetic dentist can give you, it will not be custom fitted to your mouth, and you will not see results in the improvement of your smile as you would by paying for the in-office teeth whitening procedure.

by: William Jones




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