Choosing A Teeth Whitening MethodHere's the problem: you want whiter teeth but you are faced with so many options that you don't know which one to choose. Do you just go the drugstore and try some of the over the counter teeth whitening products? What about teeth whitening toothpastes-do they get teeth whiter? Do you call a cosmetic dentist who offers laser teeth whitening, Zoom, Rembrandt, or Britesmile tooth whitening? Westchester cosmetic dentist, Dr. Bard J. Levey offers this advice on the best teeth whitening optionsavailable today.
Dr. Levey explains the relatively simple way teeth whitening products work. "Essentially when a whitening gel is placed on a dry tooth surface at a high enough concentration for a long enough time, teeth will whiten." Dr. Levey emphasizes the 3 critical components to getting the best cosmetic teeth whitening: 1) dry tooth surface, 2) gel in a high enough concentration to actually work, and 3) on the tooth surfaces for a proper amount of time.
Best cosmetic dental teeth whitening tips:
Using these simple three criteria, you can objectively sort through the many products/techniques available for your cosmetic teeth whitening in Westchester NY.
- Over the counter tooth whitening products and toothpastes.
Products in this category (such as Rembrandt, Opalescence, BriteSmile, and baking soda products) do not pass any of the criteria needed to successfully whiten your teeth (not in a high enough concentration, they are not in contact with your teeth for a long enough time, nor are your teeth surfaces dry when these products are applied). These teeth whitening products are generally the least expensive options and result in very minimal cosmetic dental teeth whitening.
- Home tooth whitening kits/products.
This category of whitening product has 2 types-over the counter tooth whitening products or products dispensed by cosmetic dentists. These teeth whitening systems usually offer some type of tooth whitening tray (like a thin mouthguard) in which the tooth whitening gel is placed. The tray alone makes these products better than whitening toothpastes because they are placed on dry teeth surfaces (the tray keeps the saliva away). Overall effectiveness then comes down to the concentration of the tooth bleaching gel and the length of time it is in contact with your teeth. When teeth whitening dentists in Westchester, Yorktown, Scarsdale, or White Plains NY make a teeth whitening tray, these trays are custom fitted and allow the gel to stay dry on your teeth for a longer period of time-achieving a better result. Over the counter "boil and bite " types of teeth bleaching trays are better than nothing, but allow much more saliva to dilute the gel much faster which causes diminished results. The cost of professional teeth whining kits is significantly more than the cost of a drug store variety bleaching kit. For many people the improved results of the kits dispensed by cosmetic dentists is well worth the extra cost. It usually takes about 3 weeks to achieve the full tooth whitening effect.
- In office cosmetic laser teeth whitening
These teeth whitening products --only available at teeth whitening dental offices-- control all 3 variables of tooth bleaching, and usually offer the best cosmetic dental results. These procedures, such as Zoom, Britesmile, and Rembrandt in office whitening take a little over an hour at the cosmetic dental office to complete. And because the cosmetic dentist is able to keep your teeth completely dry, they are able to place a proper concentration bleaching gel on your teeth for a sufficient amount of time to accomplish very noticeable tooth whitening. The cost for in office laser cosmetic teeth whitening in Westchester, Scarsdale, Yorktown, White Plains NY is often similar to the price for the take home product.
It is important to note that any and all forms of tooth whitening will relapse over time unless you are using some form of maintenance product. Dr. Bard J. Levey, Westchester NY cosmetic dentist, advises "15 minute, once a month" usage of a custom fitted whitening tray filled with a professionally dispensed teeth bleaching product to help you remove any stains that have accumulated during the month to help maintain your beautiful smile.
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