3 Ways to Whiten Teeth

3 Ways to Whiten Teeth

By Mina Levi, DDS, 01/29/2015

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, many of us want to be looking our best, which can include whitening the teeth. There are many options when it comes to the treatment of whitening the teeth. In this article, Dentist San Francisco Mina Levi, DDS goes over three ways to whiten the teeth in terms of efficacy and cost-effectiveness.

1. Whitening toothpaste/home care regimen. This option requires the patient to purchase whitening toothpaste and mouthwash and brush, floss, and rinse with these products two to three times per day for about 6 weeks. This is the most affordable option, but it takes a lot of time and dedication on the part of the patient in order to achieve a desired effect.

2. Custom whitening trays. This option is when the patient comes to the dental office to have impressions taken and custom-made whitening trays are fabricated. Then, when the patient comes back to check the fit of the trays, they will receive the whitening gel, which is between 8-32% carbomide peroxide gel.  The patient will then wear the trays with the gel for about 15-20 minutes per day for two to three weeks. This option is effective, and is more affordable than the Zoom whitening procedure, but it takes a long time to achieve the desired result and requires active dedication/participation from the patient.

3. Zoom whitening. The patient will make one appointment at which they will be sat in a dental chair and their gums will be covered with a protecting gel so that the gums are not damaged in the process. The patient will then undergo three to four fifteen-minute sessions of the Zoom! light with a 25% hydrogen peroxide gel applied to the teeth. This procedure requires only one office visit for about one and a half hours to achieve the desired whiteness. However, this is the most expensive option and can cause some sensitivity for up to 24 hours after the procedure.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding whitening or whether or not you are a good candidate for Zoom whitening, visit Dentist San Francisco Mina Levi, DDS on the web at www.minalevidds.com or give us a call at (415) 513-5066.

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