Choices For Whiter Teeth

As in any dental procedure, the AACD recommends that you consult with your dentist to find out which tooth whitening procedure is best for you. The following are two options for whitening your teeth.

In-office Power Whitening

1. A whitening gel containing a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide is applied to the teeth.
2. In-office whitening often can be accomplished in one visit to the dentist.
3. Home whitening may be recommended to enhance the effects.

At-home Dentist-supervised Whitening

1. The patient wears a custom-fitted mouth tray containing a whitening gel for a few hours each day or night.
2. The trays can be adjusted to lighten individual teeth.
3. The average patient will wear mouth trays one to two weeks. More severe stains can often be improved with extended use of the home whitening system.

AACD Dentist Supervised Treatments vs. Over-the-counter Kits

Numerous over-the-counter tooth whitening products are now available, but dentist-supervised whitening remains the safest and most effective method for brightening your smile. Here are some key reasons why you should always consult with Dr. Alterman.

Proper Fitting Mouth Trays

Often, over-the-counter whitening trays do not fit the patient's mouth properly. Improperly fitting trays may leak whitening gel and can result in gum irritation and less effective treatment.

More Comfortable Solutions

With today's new dental supervised systems, even patients with sensitive teeth can undergo whitening treatment.

Be sure to consult with Dr. Alterman to find out which tooth whitening treatment is best for you. Tooth whitening remains one of the most economical ways to enhance your smile.