Dentists offer many teeth whitening products and treatments that are simply not available over the counter. With so many options, how do you know which one is right for you? Read on to find out more about the many professional options for a whiter smile.

Laser Whitening

Most professional dental whitening procedures contain stronger concentrates of active ingredients (between 25-40%) than over-the-counter bleaching gels to achieve better results. For example, laser whitening bleaches your teeth to perfect whiteness with a high-concentration hydrogen peroxide paste. This method is good at removing stains from food and drinks, smoking, and aging.

Once the paste is applied carefully to your teeth, the dentist applies a laser to each tooth that heats the paste. The increase in temperature makes the paste more effective at stain removal, resulting in a whiter smile. Laser whitening is not for people with sensitivity to light.

Your dentist may also send you home with whitening trays or other supplies to help maintain your smile. To keep the teeth white until the new color is locked in, you also have to refrain from eating colored food and drink for a few days.

Zoom Whitening

The Zoom Whitening procedure also whitens teeth that are discolored due to drink, food, smoking, and natural aging. The 25% hydrogen peroxide paste is similar to that used in laser whitening, but with differences in the activation process. Rather than use a laser to enhance the hydrogen peroxide, Zoom Whitening uses a special ultra violet light in conjunction with the paste.

The light is designed to bathe your teeth more fully than a laser can, resulting in more evenly white teeth. Also, the light usually does not create heat like a laser can.

A Zoom treatment involves three separate applications that last 15 minutes each. Similar to laser treatment, you can maintain your new look with whitening trays or other touch-up kits, and you must avoid colored food and drink for a few days.

Opalescence

Opalescence is a unique tooth whitening product because it does not rely on heat or light to activate chemicals. Opalescence is a thick gel that is applied to teeth via a syringe for pinpoint accuracy. The thick gel is designed to stick to teeth and not spread to sensitive gums. Contained within the gel are several chemicals:

• Hydrogen peroxide is the main ingredient for bleaching.
• PF is a proprietary mix of potassium nitrite that lessens tooth sensitivity.
• Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel to resist cavities.

Opalescence bleaches stubborn tooth stains cause by food, drink, age, smoking, and tooth trauma. Even better, this method is effective at removing discoloration from medications like tetracycline.

The average treatment session consists of several separate gel applications. Each application lasts around 15 minutes and is removed when completed. Your dentist can apply the gel up to five times in one session to achieve the level of whiteness you want.

All of these whitening processes have the potential to cause sensitive teeth. Your dentist will discuss these and other risks during your initial consultation.

If you're concerned about tooth or light sensitivity risks or have stubborn stains that resist any whitening or bleaching process, consider porcelain veneers instead. Our dentists at University Dental PA can advise you about your options for veneers or any of these teeth whitening options. Call us today and find out how your new smile can give you more confidence sooner than you think.