Which Teeth Whitening Option is Right for You?
Do you want a whiter, brighter smile? Which teeth whitening option is right for you?
As a cosmetic dentist in Gresham, Dr. Jeremy Archibald understands the importance of a healthy, brighter smile. Our smile is often the first thing people notice about us, so the more confident we are with our smile, the better first impression we make. Unfortunately, years of eating and drinking pigmented foods/beverages can stain our enamel, dimming even the healthiest teeth. When it comes to revitalizing a smile that has lost a little luster, nothing has as immediate and noticeable an impact as teeth whitening treatments.
It’s remarkable the difference teeth whitening treatments can make to the brightness of your smile and the confidence you’ll have when you share your smile with others. It’s easy to see why whitening has become the most popular cosmetic dental treatment in the U.S. today.
When it comes to achieving a whiter, brighter smile, you have a number of options to choose from. Between over-the-counter whitening products to visiting your cosmetic dentist in Gresham, Dr. Jeremy Archibald, trying to decide which whitening treatment meets your needs can feel a little confusing. To help you gain a better idea about the type of care your teeth require, here’s what you need to know about the most common whitening options.
Over-the-Counter Whitening Strips
Whitening strips are very thin, practically invisible strips that fit over the teeth you want whitened. Whitening strips are coated with a peroxide-based gel that will work to remove stains from the surface of your enamel. Different brands have different prescriptions of how often and how long they should be worn.
Pros: Whitening strips are conveniently located at most grocery stores and pharmacies. They allow individuals to conveniently whiten their teeth on their own schedule at home. Generally, good results can be achieved with minimal staining.
Cons: Over-the-counter whitening strips contain lower levels of peroxide when compared to those used in dental offices. Depending the type and severity of staining, whitening strips may not provide the results users might hope to receive. Many patients express concern over the difficulty of maintaining the strips in contact with their teeth for the recommended duration. Additionally, not all teeth are shaped the same, making some parts of teeth not in contact with the strips.
Opalescence Go™
Opalescence Go is an affordable whitening treatment that is dentist prescribed. It has the track record of Ultradent™ whitening products with the convenience of not requiring impressions or waiting for whitening trays to be made.
Whitening gel comes in pre-filled, disposable whitening trays. Simply insert the comfortable trays in your mouth and wear for as little as 30 minutes a day. In no time, your teeth will be whiter and brighter.
Custom Whitening Trays
Custom whitening trays offer one of the most effective options patients have for lightening the color of the teeth. Whitening trays resemble a mouthguard and can be fabricated to fit over each arch of teeth. An impression will be taken in our office from which models of your teeth will be formed. The whitening trays are fabricated from these molds. Prior to placement, users fill their trays using a whitening gel dispensed from a convenient syringe. We use whitening products developed by Ultradent™, a pioneer and prominent leader in the teeth whitening market.
Pros: This method quickly whitens teeth to the desired shade and provides the longest lasting and most predictable results. About 75% of patients will quickly experience notably lighter teeth after whitening. It allows user to conveniently whiten on their own schedule and whiten multiple times without purchasing new strips or trays.
Cons: Impressions need to be made of your teeth. For most people, this is a quick, easy procedure. If you are sensitive to impressions or have a strong gag reflex, please discuss with Dr. Archibald. Stronger prescription strength whitening gels can only be purchased from your dentist. Due to the increased effectiveness due to the stronger concentrations used, transient tooth sensitivity can occur during the whitening process.
If you’re interested in finally getting the brighter, healthier-looking smile you’ve been dreaming of, at a price that comfortably fits your budget or if you have other cosmetic dental concerns like chipped/cracked teeth or dark/stained fillings, contact Dr. Jeremy Archibald’s office in Gresham for an evaluation.