Revivify Your Smile in One Hour
There's no easier or dramatic way to freshen up your appearance than to get your teeth professionally whitened. Erasing years of staining and overall dinginess adds a sparkle to your smile and can't help but make you seem more energetic and healthy.
The quickest fixes, those available on drug store shelves for use at home, have been proven to be somewhat effective in the short term, but for a better return on your investment, it's smarter to let the professionals handle the task. Doing so will cost more, but it will take one hour rather than weeks, and the results will last longer, although it's important to note that the effect won't last forever, especially if you're a coffee or red wine drinker or a smoker.
Where should you have it done? There are plenty of storefront operations out there with well known names such as Brite Smite and Vital Dent. Chances are, however, that your own dentist has invested in similar equipment (many use the ZOOM! System) and will happily provide the service for you. (It's a big moneymaker for them and requires little prep or labor.) If your dentist does it, why not stick with someone you know and who knows your dental history?
The dentist starts with a quick polish of your teeth and then applies a bleaching solution. At that point, he or she aims a special lamp at your teeth, and the light activates the bleach. You sit still watching TV for 45 minutes to an hour, and that's it. There should be no pain unless you have a history of sensitivity, which, of course, is something you should discuss with your dentist before you begin. Also note that bleaching has no effect on crowns or veneers, so if you've had any such work done, you need to let the dentist know so he or she can try to avoid uneven results. You may even get before and after photos to show you how successful the treatment has been.
Storefront teeth whitening services may give you a hard sell on the way out, urging you to buy all kinds of post-bleaching products to maintain your new smile. That's another reason to work with your dentist; you can probably trust him or her to give you the straight dope on what's really necessary for you post-treatment maintenance. As for the price: whitening typically costs between $500 to $1,000 and, as a cosmetic procedure, is not covered by insurance.
If normal whitening doesn't work, your dentist may suggest microabrasion, in which he or she applies a mild acid compound and then polishes the teeth. It takes longer and costs much more, up to $300 per tooth, so it's a last-ditch solution. With luck, you can brighten your smile easily and walk out of the office grinning from ear to ear.
Read More on This Topic:
American Dental Society: Tooth Whitening: http://www.ada.org/public/topics/whitening.asp
ZOOM! Whitening System: http://www.zoomnow.com/
Brite Smile: http://www.britesmile.com/
