There are many methods available for teeth whitening, but most break down into one of two major categories: procedures administered or prescribed by a dentist and do-it-yourself (DIY) whitening with over-the-counter whitening products.
Dentist-Administered or Prescribed Procedures
- Laser or LED-light activated one-hour bleaching
- Non-Light Activated in-office bleaching
- Deep Bleaching (a combination of in-office and take-home whitening procedures)
- Take-Home Teeth Whitening Kits with Custom-Fit Mouth Trays
Do-it-Yourself Whitening Procedures
- Whitening Toothpastes
- Brush-on Whiteners
- Whitening Strips
- Whitening Kits with Custom, Boil & Bite or Stock Mouth Trays
Hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide are the two kinds of peroxide used for bleaching teeth. Hydrogen peroxide is a very strong whitening agent that needs to be fresh to deliver its full power - and requires dental supervision to be correctly applied. Carbamide peroxide is a more user-friendly, shelf-stable version of hydrogen peroxide - meaning that it isn't quite as strong and can be kept fresh for a longer time than hydrogen peroxide - an important consideration, especially for do-it-yourselfers purchasing pre-packaged kits.
For people with more difficult staining or who have additional dental issues (such as badly formed or cracked teeth), it is also possible to whiten teeth using some sort of cosmetic restoration. Bonding, veneers, and crowns can be used to whiten teeth if the desired shade cannot be achieved with bleaching. Many Hollywood celebrities who have gleaming white teeth have had veneers applied. It is important to note that cosmetic restorations should be a last resort. People with tetracycline-stained teeth often choose veneers because it's very difficult to get rid of the grey hue. However, a new bleaching method called Deep Bleaching has been showing promise for tetracycline-stained teeth.
