Teeth Whitening
When you need a brighter, whiter smile, there are many teeth whitening options to choose from. The best way to determine which teeth whitening procedure will best suit you is to schedule an appointment with MyGreenbelt Dentist dentist at our Greenbelt, MD dental location and discuss your needs. Our greenbelt dentist will also take the time to talk to you about the differences between at-home and professional teeth whitening treatments, so you can make the best choice.
Whitening restores natural tooth color and can also whiten beyond the natural color. There are many methods available, such as whitening strips, bleaching pen, whitening gel with whitening trays, and laser whitening. Teeth whitening has become the most requested procedure in cosmetic dentistry today.
In Office Teeth Whitening
In office whitening refers to a widely used professional whitening service. As the name implies, this treatment will be performed within a dental office. A whitening lamp or laser will be used to enhance the effectiveness of the whitening gel which has been applied by a professional.
A few professional teeth whitening procedures can even take place at home. For example, tray bleaching employs the use of a custom-made tray and whitening gel which can only be obtained from your dentist. This process will whiten all of your natural teeth with maximum comfort. Tray bleaching can take anywhere from 10 to 14 days to reach completion, but you may begin to see results in as little as 3 to 5 days.
At-Home Teeth Whitening
- Paint-on teeth whiteners: There are many over-the-counter teeth whitening option, you might decide to go with paint-on teeth whiteners. This treatment will consist of a gel that is applied to the tooth using a small brush. This gel hardens into a film that covers the teeth, and eventually dissolves in the mouth.
- Teeth whitening strips: These are thin and flexible plastic strips, you can apply with a thin film of hydrogen peroxide to bleach stains out of your teeth. Typically, the duration of procedure are worn for 30 minutes a day, twice a day. However, results and duration will vary from patient to patient.
- Tray Whitening: Tray bleaching or tray whitening is a type of professional whitening that uses custom-made trays and whitening gel are available through your dentist. The whitening gel is placed in custom-fitted trays that fit perfectly over your teeth. Unlike teeth whitening strips, this process whitens all your natural teeth and contain ingredients intended to provide maximum benefit. At-home professional tray whitening generally takes 10 to 14 days, although you may notice results in as little as three to five days.