In-office bleaching (aka professional whitening)
You can expect the most dramatic results from a professional teeth whitening treatment.
You’ll start by meeting with your dentist, who will examine your teeth and gums and ask you about your oral hygiene, lifestyle, and whitening goals. You’ll go through a full dental exam and evaluation, to determine which treatment is best for you.
“Staining can be caused by problems like decay or hardened plaque on your teeth. An evaluation by a dentist is crucial, to make sure you don't have any bigger underlying problems that are causing your teeth to darken,” says Chicago dentist Dr. Kaori Ema in a .
You may have specific instructions to follow before your whitening appointment. For example, some dentists recommend using Sensodyne toothpaste twice daily for two weeks prior, to diminish sensitivity.
Before the whitening solution is applied, your gums will be carefully covered to prevent burns from the hydrogen peroxide. Then your provider will apply the whitening gel to the tooth surface.
- Zoom contains 25% hydrogen peroxide, and an overhead blue plasma light is used to activate the hydrogen peroxide. The gel stays on for 15 minutes, and the process is repeated three times for a total of 45 minutes.
- Glo Professional contains either 24% or 30% hydrogen peroxide. An LED mouthpiece is slipped over your teeth to activate the hydrogen peroxide formula. Dr. Maddahi likes Glo because he believes it causes less tooth sensitivity.
- BriteSmile uses a 25% hydrogen peroxide–based gel, activated by a specialized laser. It’s typically a one-hour session, with a series of three 20-minute applications. This laser whitening or “power whitening” treatment is intended to make teeth five to six shades brighter.
- Opalescence Boost contains a higher amount of hydrogen peroxide (40%). The consistency of the gel is stickier, and a light activator is not used. The gel also contains potassium nitrate (to reduce sensitivity) and fluoride (to prevent cavities). The process takes about an hour.
During any in-office whitening treatment, you’re encouraged to sit back and relax, listen to music, or watch TV. The process shouldn’t be painful, but you may experience occasional pangs of discomfort. “I felt the ‘zinger’ they said may happen toward the last few parts of the treatment only once, but it wasn’t bad enough to end the treatment early,” says one RealSelf member.
Take-home whitening systems
There are prefilled whitening trays that are available only from your dentist. You use them at home, so they’re easy to apply and very convenient.
- For Opalescence PF, your dentist makes a mold of your teeth and creates a custom tray based on the impression. You squirt gel (which in addition to hydrogen peroxide, contains potassium nitrate and fluoride) from a syringe into your tray and wear it for a specific amount of time (as little as 15 minutes or as long as overnight) determined by your dentist, based on your whitening needs, for two weeks.
- Opalescence Go is similar but uses prefilled disposable trays, which you wear for between 15 and 60 minutes for 5–10 days.
- BriteSmile’s line of at-home whitening pens is called BriteSmile To Go. It produces results similar to those of whitening strips or lower-strength bleaching trays. The instructions recommend applying the gel twice a day for two weeks, then as needed to maintain results.
OTC whitening products
Over-the-counter whitening systems vary in efficacy and results.
- Whitening strips are the most common (and most popular) option. These clear, disposable strips are applied to the teeth and worn for about 30 minutes a day (in the case of 3D Crest Whitestrips) for two weeks. They’re good for tackling mild stains but really reach only the front six to eight teeth, often called the “smile zone.”
- OTC kits that use blue LED light (such as Glo Lit Teeth Whitening Device tech kit, AuraGlow, iSmile, or Zero Glow Teeth Whitening Kit) use an LED mouthpiece to help jump-start the chemical (either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide) that whitens your teeth.
- Other OTC products, such as whitening toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash have flooded the market recently. Unfortunately, clinical trials suggest that you won’t have significantly whiter teeth compared to their in-office counterparts.
RealSelf Tip: Some teeth whitening products list carbamide peroxide as their active ingredient. In water, carbamide peroxide breaks down into hydrogen peroxide and urea. “These at home products are typically used overnight in bleaching trays, as the carbamide peroxide takes time to break down into hydrogen peroxide,” explains Dr. Davidowitz. They can be a good option for those with sensitive teeth: the breakdown results in a lower concentration of hydrogen peroxide and accounts for it staying active over a longer period of time, working slowly and steadily.
FAQs
Your results and their longevity will depend on the type of teeth whiteners you get. Professional whitening treatments yield immediate results that typically last a year, sometimes more, before you'll need a maintenance treatment.
Is it worth it to get your teeth professionally whitened? ›
As a result, you may wonder if professional tooth whitening is worth the cost. Lots of patients are curious about in-office treatment and ask if it is really better than at-home options. The answer is a resounding yes. The most effective way to whiten teeth is with a professional in-office treatment.
Why didn't professional teeth whitening work? ›
Many factors may have come into why your teeth whitening didn't work as well as you hoped. The right product and concentration, and the proper method and duration, weren't chosen for your particular needs. Your trays were leaking, allowing the whitening product to leak out or saliva leak in and break down the product.
Does professional teeth whitening work better than at-home? ›
Professional teeth whitening uses a more effective process
This means that the hydrogen peroxide content of your at-home kit is very low, whether you are using toothpaste, liquid filled trays, or strips. Dr. Yalamanchili is able to use a stronger process in her office, typically approved for use by dentists only.
Is professional teeth whitening a one time thing? ›
It's important to note that one treatment doesn't mean your teeth are eternally white. "The bleaching doesn't last forever," says Lowenberg. "We can whiten your teeth in the office, but eventually, it fades back. In order to maintain it, we make you customized trays that you take home with you.
Do most celebrities get their teeth whitened? ›
Most celebrities opt for regular teeth whitening treatments or veneers. Below you will find more information about which one is right for you.
What percentage of people have had their teeth professionally whitened? ›
The most common cosmetic dental intervention polled about is professional teeth whitening, which 19% of Americans have gotten. Adults under 45 are about twice as likely as older Americans to have had this done (26% vs. 14%).
Is professional teeth whitening bad for your enamel? ›
We all want a white brighter smile. But this begs the question “does teeth whitening damage the enamel?” The answer is no. While there may sometimes be side effects, whitening treatment is safe on tooth enamel.
Who is a bad candidate for teeth whitening? ›
Brown or gray teeth, or teeth striped or mottled from tetracycline or too much fluoride, may not whiten evenly when bleached. People with periodontal disease or particularly sensitive teeth may want to avoid chemical whitening techniques that can irritate tender gums.
Why are my teeth still yellow after whitening? ›
Teeth can become temporarily dehydrated after using whitening strips. Your teeth may appear more yellow as a result of this dehydration because the enamel may become dry and lack moisture. Dehydrated enamel sometimes has a transparent appearance that makes the naturally yellowish dentin underneath visible.
Your dentist can help you achieve such white teeth because they have access to much stronger whitening ingredients than you would find in teeth whitening strips.
How long does professional teeth whitening last? ›
With proper care, your brighter smile can last for 1-3 years. A single session may last anywhere between 40 minutes to an hour. The procedure requires applying a specially formulated gel that contains anywhere between 25% to 40% hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to whiten the teeth.
What is the difference between teeth whitening at the dentist and at home? ›
It's important to note that DIY whitening isn't as strong as in-office whitening, which is why it takes much longer to see the desired result. Before starting any type of whitening treatment, you should make sure your teeth and gums are healthy and speak with your dentist to compare teeth whitening options.
Do whitened teeth look fake? ›
But the good news is, even if you do achieve a significantly lighter shade, it won't look fake as long as your teeth themselves aren't fake. "When whitening natural teeth, in my opinion, they will always look natural no matter how white they get," Dr. Shafee says.
Why is dentist teeth whitening so expensive? ›
All of these whitening methods contain a variety of peroxide compounds, according to the British Dental Bleaching Society. But what makes professional whitening cost a bit more is the difference in the active ingredients found in the whitening agent.
How many times can you get your teeth professionally whitened? ›
How often teeth whitening treatments are recommended by dentists. Professional teeth whitening performed in the dentist's office is recommended once every year to every 18 months, depending on how long the results last. At-home kits can be used as often as once every four to six months.
How long does professionally whitened teeth last? ›
The results of dental chairside or in-office bleaching are long-lasting but not permanent. With proper care, your brighter smile can last for 1-3 years. A single session may last anywhere between 40 minutes to an hour.
What are the cons of teeth whitening? ›
Schedule an appointment with our dentist in Gainesville for more information or a consultation about your specific concerns.
- Tooth sensitivity. ...
- Doesn't work on all teeth. ...
- May exacerbate certain conditions. ...
- Temporary. ...
- Don't use if you're pregnant.
When choosing in-office teeth whitening, patients often only require one visit annually (at most) to maintain consistently white teeth. Depending on the patient's objectives and the intensity of the stains, the dentist may use multiple applications of the bleaching solution during each session.
