Darren Gardner DDS, Provo Dentist
Teeth Whitening and Sensitivity
I am asked frequently about the most effective methods for whitening teeth and tooth sensitivity associated with whitening. Many try over the counter products, like Crest Whitestrips, with varying results. Most patients I see aren't satisfied with the results and end up using professional strength bleach.
There are a ton of professional products out there for whitening. We use Opalescence products from Ultradent because they have great bleach and have formulations that contain fluoride and potassium nitrate for less sensitivity. They also have other products for desensitizing teeth after whitening. For more information on sensitivity, click here. Whitening has been found to be completely safe, except in cases where whitening is done in an obsessive, prolonged pattern. Whitening every six months for a few days will do no harm.
We have several methods of whitening teeth. All of them can achieve the same results.
- In-office Power Bleaching: This method uses a very concentrated gel formulation to whiten the teeth more quickly. It takes an hour-and-a-half to whiten in-office. It costs more because it takes chairtime and an assistant for the procedure. We use an in-office whitening system without a light. (Independent research from several sources has shown that the highly marketed systems that use a light to "activate" the gel are no more effective with the light than using the gel alone without the light, but have been popular due to marketing that has led patients to believe they were getting "turbo charged" in office whitening.)
- Custom Tray Whitening: This is the most common method which uses custom trays made from impressions of your teeth. It is important with professional bleach that the trays fit well so the gums aren't burned by the bleach. The tray is loaded with a syringe of bleach and placed on the teeth. It can take anywhere from a few 1-2 hour bleaching sessions to several weeks of whitening to reach the desired shade. Some shades, like grey and blue, will not whiten as well as others and expectations should be lowered in those cases. Everyone has a maximum level of whiteness they can reach which will vary from person to person. Refill syringes can be bought at our office.
- Tres' White: These are like Crest Whitestrips, but uses a professional strength formula. It comes in packages of ten and is a very comfortable way to whiten your teeth. It is the most affordable option, but ten trays may not be enough for some people.
* An exam should be done by a dentist prior to whitening. Any crowns or fillings will not whiten and may stand out unnaturally if the natural teeth become whiter than the dental work!