Berkeley Parents Network: Teeth Whitening

Berkeley Parents Network

Teeth Whitening

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Health & Medical > Dentists > Teeth Whitening

Different methods of teeth whitening
Recommendations for dentist who does teeth whitening?
Is teeth bleaching worth the expense?
Best gel to use if you already have the trays?
More advice about teeth

Different methods of teeth whitening

Nov 2004

I am interested if anyone has undergone a method of whitening teeth in the dentist's office. I have heard of methods where a tray is made but the whitening occurs in the office instead of home. I also have seen a method on ''Extreme Makeover'' where they paint the teeth and use a light. Can anyone recommend a method and dentist? Kathy

I have had yellow teeth my entire life due to my being given certain anibiotics when I was a baby. When I got married last year, one of my splurges was to get my teeth whitened at the dentist's office. I got the trays made from a mold of my teeth and was given the kit. I think I slept with the ''mouthgards'' for 2 weeks and the difference was AMAZING. My teeth were sensitive for the first few days (as they said they would be) but after I stopped using it the sensetivity went away. The whole thing was about $400, I think, and the best part is that I was frugal with the application of the whitener (half of it squirts out anyway when you push the guards up into your teeth), so I have tons left for touch ups (I am a coffee/red wine drinker), and I have the molds to wear with any other kind of whitener I may need/want in the future. For me, the $400 was money well spent. Even now, 18 months after the only 2 week period I used it (I was pregnant in there and didn't use it), my teeth are still whiter than before I used it. And you've just sparked the urge for a touch up! anon

I gave myself teeth-whitening for my 50th birthday. I chose to do the dentist version with the tray molded for my teeth for two reasons. First, the whitening occurs slowly over about two weeks, so when people notice it is a more subtle ''wow, you look younger, so good, etc.'' rather than ''wow, you bleached your teeth.'' Second, the tray is yours forever and you can replenish your supply of bleach anytime through your dentist so that you can do touch-ups whenever they are needed. anon

Recommendations for dentist who does teeth whitening?

March 2003

Does anyone have any recommendations for an office/dentist who does teeth whitening? In particular, does anyone have any personal experience with both the BriteSmile method and the longer, bleaching trays method? I think I'm leaning towards the BriteSmile office in Walnut Creek, so any opinions about an experience there would also be helpful.

I went to Brite Smile in Walnut Creek about a year ago and was very pleased with the outcome -- dramatic difference, lasting improvement. I thought it was a little pricey, but worth it. Sara

I had the molds taken of my teeth to make the retainer-like things to hold the whitening gel and have used them for three years now and they are great! Anytime you want to whiten your teeth again you just buy the gel which is about $20 and whiten them and it lasts for several months. Very happy I went this route. happy with white teeth

I have used several teeth whitening methods, including tray whitening from a dental office, which was the most effective. I would however, recommend that you try the Colgate Simply White product before spending alot of money at a dentists office. I have found it to be equally effective.

I had my teeth whitened at BriteSmile in Walnut Creek last year. The process was painless and quick, although quite expensive (around $500). My teeth were fairly light to begin with (cream, as opposed to yellow), and I was hoping for the ''true white'' shown on all of the advertisement photos. I was a bit disappointed in the results; my teeth were whitened one level (according to the BriteSmile charts), but they were still cream, not white. The difference was not really that noticeable, and not worth the price that I paid. Perhaps if my teeth had been more stained or yellow, the results would have been more dramatic. The ads of BriteSmile are misleading in that you don't walk out with ''white'' teeth, which is what I had expected since my teeth were so light to begin with. Creamy Smile

Is teeth bleaching worth the expense?

June 2004

I'm about to have crowns put on most of my teeth; the prosthodontist has recommended that I bleach my remaining teeth, and then he'll make the crowns in a shade to match. Then I'll have to continue bleaching my natural teeth twice a year forever, so they'll continue to match the crowns. The cost, for having this done professionally is $400 to start. Maintanance cost is minimal. Has anyone out there had their teeth bleached professionally? Was it worth the expense? Did it make that significant a difference in your smile? Is professional bleaching that much better than the bleaching kits at the drug store? Did you have to swear off red wine and coffee?

I did precisely what you outlined about 2 years ago. I needed to have my front crowns replaced, after 20 years, and my dentist recommended that I first bleach my teeth. Boy, am I glad I did it. My teeth are much whiter, they match the crowns nicely, and I figure, if I'm going to spend over $2K on new front teeth, they may as well be white. Not Chiclet white, though, just nicely white. Go ahead and do it. Wendy

Best gel to use if you already have the trays?

April 2003

Hi; A follow-up question to the posts on the best method of teeth whitening. Where have people found the best gel to use, if you already have the tray from the dentist? What brand / strength / etc.? Is it available from a drugstore, or do you have to make a dental appointment, or ?? I have a tray but am not sure where to get more gel (don't see that dentist anymore either). Thanks, Need the whitening gel only

This is the best price I have found for Nite White teeth whitening gel -- http://www.drdodge-dentist.com/nite_white.htm The percentages of the active incredient vary, the larger the percentage the faster the whitening process and the more chance of teeth sensitvity. I asked the doctor on this site for a recommended percentage and he said that he starts people off at 16% and if that does not cause a problem they can go up. This is the gel that was recommended by my dentist, and I have used Nite White to good success. I have not yet purchased from this site butintend to. margo

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