There are actually two routes to go, in office or at home. Both methods are effective but you need to decide if you would rather spend an hour or so at the dentist or have a couple quick dentist visits then do the treatment at home over a 3 day period. Another thing to consider is that some in office methods take special equipment so you need to see what your dentist is set up for. All of the methods produce similar results.
This is a guide that is here to inform you of the options available and what is involved but remember that everyone’s teeth are different so to decide on the best option for you ask your dentist.
In home method:
The in home method includes two short visits to the dentist then 3 days at home. On the first visit the dentist takes an impression of your mouth. The dentist then uses the impressions to make two trays, one for the upper teeth and one for the bottom. These trays are very thin and almost invisible. They can be worn during the day or at night.
On the second visit the trays are given to the patient and tested for a proper fit then the dentist shows how to apply the prescription quality gel into the tray. This gel is stronger than the tooth whiteners you would buy over the counter.
At home the patient will wear the trays for several hours a day for three days. By the end of the treatment the teeth should be noticeably whiter.
The patient usually experiences some sensitivity for a couple days after the treatment.
This treatment usually runs around $500.
In office methods:
Zoom Whitening:
Zoom Whitening is about a 1 hour in office treatment. The Dentist first places a retractor in the mouth to pull the lips away from the teeth. The “Zoom” whitening gel is then applied to the teeth. A bright light is then shone on the mouth for about an hour. The gel is activated buy the light that whitens the teeth.
The patient may have some sensitivity for a couple days.
The cost of this treatment runs about $500.
Bright Smile:
This is also about a 1 hour treatment. A gentle hydrogen peroxide gel is applied to the teeth then activated by shining a special light onto the mouth. This is a gentle “Blue Spectrum” light which is patented by Bright Smile. The blue light is wavelength matched to the gel so it can whiten and brighten your smile.
The patient may have some sensitivity for a couple days.
This treatment costs about $500
Rembrandt:
Rembrandt is a 1 hour in office treatment that can whiten teeth up to 10 shades. A bleaching gel ( Rembrandt Virtuoso Lightening Gel) is places on the teeth. A “Rembrandt Sapphire light” is the shone on the mouth for about an hour.
Rembrandt claims that this treatment will prevent renewed stains, yellowing & dulling.
After this treatment you may experience some sensitivity for a couple days.
This treatment costs about $500.
Are you a candidate for tooth whitening?
The candidate for tooth whitening is anyone with stained, yellowed or discolored teeth that wants a brighter smile. The real question is which candidates will have the best results.
The candidates that will see the most dramatic change will be those whose teeth are discolored due to age, drinking coffee, tea, red wine or cola. If your teeth are stained from smoking or gray due to taking certain medications you will see improvement but not as extreme.
How to save money
Tooth whitening is considered a cosmetic procedure so dental insurance wont pay for any of it. This means that many people who would really like to brighten their smile are forced to delay or completely go without treatment. There are a few things that you can do to make tooth whitening and all your dental care more affordable.
1. Shop around: You can ask different dentists what they charge for their services. With many procedures they would need to examine your mouth before giving you a cost but with whitening they can usually give you a pretty accurate figure.
2. Ask about discounts and payment plans: Because cosmetic procedures are costly but not covered by insurance many dentists are prepared to work with patients so they are able to get treatment.
3. Medical savings groups: There are now medical savings groups that are very affordable to join and can save you a lot of money.
