Teeth Whitening

[torrenova]

I'm considering getting my teeth whitened. However, I have a couple of partially worn teeth and have had some sensitivity in previous years so I am cautious.

I also want to know what options there are (I know what there were but am not up to date).

Also some success and horror stories please.

Good places and places to avoid like the plaque !

[Sheryl]

Main options are:

(1) use of whitening agents (peroxide), wither OTC preparations which are weak and thus take longer to work/won't get the teeth quite as white (plus are a little uncomfortable since the one size fits all trays allow leakage of the peroxide into the mouth) , or prescribed preparations which also come with mold-fitted trays and give quicker and better results, altho still taking a number of repeated (at home) tretaments.

(2) laser whitening. I have seen mixed reviews of that on these pages. Clear disadvantages are that (1) you cannot control the result (whereas you can with the peroxide treatments which are gradual; you just continue until you feel satisfied) and (2) if you have any crowns, it is not a suitable method as you will not be able to blend in with the crown color and may end up having to replace the crown or else have it stand out as less white than the rest of the teeth.

I did the peroxide (by dentist prescription) route and was pleased with it, no side effects and natural looking result. I think the initial cost, which is inclusive of making custom molds for your teeth to hold the whitening gel in place, was about the same as laser would have been but once done, repeat treatments are much cheaper since all one needs is the gel.

repeat treatsment will be needed sooner or later whichever approach is used since stains will reaccumulate eventually.

I am not a dentists but I would think that for sensitive teeth laser might not be advisable; perhaps some of our members who are dentists could comment?