You’re getting ready for a long-awaited night out with friends, and if your last outing is any reflection, tons of selfies and group photos will document the evening. You check your look in the mirror. Your hair is perfect. That new outfit looks great. But then you smile and notice your teeth look dull and lackluster.
If only you thought ahead and whitened your teeth. If this scenario sounds all too familiar, you’re not alone. According to a study by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry report, nearly all adults believe a smile is a crucial social asset.
It’s no wonder that teeth whitening is the leading cosmetic procedure. But that doesn’t mean all whitening options are created equal, says our own Jose Marcano, DMD, here at Orlando Center for Cosmetic Dentistry. Let’s review whitening options, including over-the-counter options like at-home whitening strips, to help you determine the suitable option.
You’ve decided to move ahead to whiten your teeth. Now what? With so many whitening options on the market, how do you decide which is right? It all comes down to personal preference, but the ultimate decision usually rests on three determining factors – the type and severity of staining, whether you want the process to be dentist-directed or DIY, and your whitening goals.
There are ever-growing whitening options available, but all of them fall into three main categories:
Whitening products are readily available at retail stores or online. These products include at-home whitening strips and other products like whitening pens, toothpaste and gels, and kits. Although these products have slight use differences, they follow the same process and contain similar active ingredients.
At-home whitening strips are plastic strips coated with a gel containing a whitening solution. You simply place the strips over your teeth, and when the gel touches your teeth, the whitening agent penetrates the tooth surface and breaks down the pigments in the stains. Like other OTC whitening products, at-home whitening strips are typically peroxide-based, containing carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide.
Although results vary from patient to patient depending on the type and severity of the staining, when you use at-home whitening strips as directed, you can expect to see noticeable improvements in about seven days to the tune of a couple of shades whiter.
If you usually prefer to wing it rather than read directions, professional in-office whitening services may be your best bet, particularly if you want immediate, no-hassle results. In contrast to OTC whitening products, dentist-directed in-office whitening services use stronger, more potent active whitening agents.
Here at Orlando Center For Cosmetic Dentistry, our team uses Philips ZOOM!, one of the industry’s most recognized teeth whitening systems. With ZOOM!, Dr. Marcano can whiten your teeth up to about eight shades in a one-hour session.
The way it plays out is to do a little prep work first by protecting your gums and tongue with a rubber sheet. Dr. Marcano begins by applying a whitening agent to your teeth. The solution rests on your teeth for 20 minutes or so. Dr. Marcano then activates the solution by shining a special ultraviolet light on your teeth. This step triggers the process of breaking up stains.
Dr. Marcano repeats these steps several times depending on the severity of the stains and your desired whitening goals.
Results from a typical ZOOM! session lasts four to six months with vigilant at-home oral care – flossing regularly, brushing twice a day, and scheduling professional cleanings every six months.
The third type of whitening, custom at-home whitening kits, is a blend of a DIY option and dentist-directed treatment. With custom at-home whitening kits, your dentist takes an impression of your mouth and sends this information to a dental lab, which fabricates your trays.
When the trays return, you’ll return to the office to pick up your whitening kit, which includes professional-strength whitening agents. During this appointment, your dentist will walk you through instructions on safe and optimal whitening outcomes.
Keep in mind that if you have teeth sensitivity or unresolved oral health issues like cavities or gum disease, it’s best to resolve these issues before embarking on any type of teeth whitening process. Not doing so may cause a painful whitening process and worsen the original oral health issue.
If you’re ready to whiten your smile, contact us at Orlando Center for Cosmetic Dentistry for a teeth-whitening consultation. You can schedule an appointment by clicking the online booking tool or by calling or texting the office today.
