There are four tooth bleaching procedures available.
Power Bleaching
Laser Bleaching
Home Bleaching
Over-the-counter Bleaching
POWER BLEACHING or "chairside bleaching," is done in the dental office and produces the best results. It's also the quickest and most convenient procedure. The entire process can take as little as forty-five minutes. Plus, the desired results are often achieved after just one appointment, although multiple appointments might be necessary depending on the severity of the problem. The procedure is relatively inexpensive and you can expect the effects of power bleaching to last 1-3 years, on average, but longer if you don’t smoke, chew tobacco, drink coffee, tea or red wine or use other staining products. During the procedure, the dentist isolates and protects your lips, gums and the inside of your mouth. A whitening gel is then applied to your teeth. Most dentists use a gel that contains approximately 20-35% carbamide or hydrogen peroxide. Finally, a powerful light source is used to activate the bleaching agent. This causes oxygen from the gel to enter the tooth enamel and bleach the colored substances. The color of your teeth is made lighter. Touch-ups can be done in minimal time with little additional expense.
LASER BLEACHING is similar to in-office Power Bleaching. The dentist protects your lips, gums and the inside of your mouth before applying a whitening gel containing a high concentration of carbamide or hydrogen peroxide to your teeth. The exception is that a laser is used as the light source that activates the bleaching agent. Proponents of the procedure claim that it produces far better results than Power Bleaching. And it certainly is quick and convenient. However, while there is plenty of anecdotal information to support it, and at least two lasers have been approved by the FDA for use in this procedure, many dentists are demanding additional research before they'll be comfortable using Laser Bleaching.
HOME BLEACHING or "nightguard bleaching," is accomplished at home under a dentist's supervision. It produces very good results that last approximately 1-3 years, on average, but longer if you don’t smoke, chew tobacco, drink coffee, tea or red wine or use other staining products. And it's extremely economical. However, the procedure takes from 2-3 weeks before optimum results are achieved. And it includes 2-5 dental visits so that the dentist can check for any problems or sensitivity to your teeth and gums and make sure the whitening process is proceeding safely. In this procedure, you're fitted with a custom-made mouth tray, not unlike a mouthguard. A whitening gel, dispensed under the dentist's supervision, is poured into the tray. Most dentists use a solution that contains 10-16% carbamide or hydrogen peroxide. You then place the mouth tray around your teeth, wearing it for 1-2 hours each day or all-night, while you sleep. Whether you wear the mouth tray during the day or at night may depend on your sensitivity to the procedure. When water contacts the solution, the peroxide is activated and oxygen enters the enamel and dentin and bleaches the colored substances. Tooth color is made brighter. Plus, you keep the mouth trays. For touch-ups, or to repeat the process, you need only purchase additional whitening gel from the dentist.
OVER-THE-COUNTER BLEACHING is not recommended for a number of reasons. First of all, they may not work as well and may cause more harm than good. The American Dental Association says that none of the over-the-counter products that claim to whiten teeth as much as five shades brighter, have withstood rigorous testing. Also, over-the-counter bleaching bypasses the initial dental exam that both assesses your overall oral health and determines the advisability of tooth bleaching. For example, dark or discolored teeth may be the result of infections or decay, and if left unchecked could lead to more serious complications later - especially if you start pouring bleach on them. Over-the-counter systems provide a one-size-fits-all mouth tray, which often allows the bleaching agent to seep onto and damage your gums, causing much irritation. There is no dental follow-up to counter side-effects.
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