Professional teeth whitening is the whitening techniques that you will have done in the dentist’s office.  In the 90s, professional teeth whitening was a rather lengthy and detailed process.  It started with an initial visit during which your dentist would make a mold of your teeth and send it off.  You would then return in about a week to start the actual whitening procedures with a customized mouth piece.  The mouth piece was filled with low concentrations of peroxide and you were stuck sitting in the chair for an hour or two with this thing in your mouth.  These visits would usually occur about three more times and you would be finished, with whiter teeth and a large bill.

These days the process is not nearly as long and drawn out.  Usually, the teeth whitening is done through what is called laser bleaching.  This process requires you to sit in the chair for about an hour after the dentist applies a peroxide gel to your teeth.  You sit there with an argon light shining on your treated teeth, which triggers a chemical reaction and causes the whitening.  Most dentists recommend that you return at least every six months for routine touch ups to maintain the same level of whiteness.

Home Teeth Whitening

In comparison to the rather complicated, lengthy, and pricey professional teeth whitening procedures, there are also whitening systems that are available for home use.   There are three different types of teeth whitening options for you to use from the comfort and privacy of your home: brush on, strips, and trays.

Brush on teeth whitening systems started out as the major choice.  The concept made it popular; simply brush on the formula, allow it to dry, and then allow it to remain on your teeth overnight.  The flaws soon made this system less popular, and fueled the need for more creative and effective whitening systems.

The strips also became popular very quickly.  The showed promise for people who didn’t have the time or the budget to got to the dentist, and yet they wanted a whiter smile.  They initially caused issues because you couldn’t eat or drink while the strips were stuck to your teeth, and they tended to slip out of place if you weren’t careful.  Changes to the strip technique made it possible for you to drink and the strips fit more snugly.

The tray method is the home teeth whitening technique that is the closest to the old procedures done in a dentist’s office.  It uses plastic trays that you fill with a carbamide peroxide gel.  Newer versions of this technique allow you to soak the trays in warm water and then stick them in your mouth to create a custom mold to deliver the gel into the appropriate nooks and crannies that are missed with other techniques.