Gel Tooth Whitening - How to Get the Best Results at the Lowest Cost

By Julian Carl

Gel tooth whitening is a popular and effective way to get brighter and whiter teeth through the application of peroxide bleach gel. This gel works to restore natural whiteness to teeth that have become discolored due to stains from foods and thinning of enamel. Coffee and nicotine are two stains commonly found on teeth that make them look dull or yellowish. Whitening gel can be an effective way to erase those stains and let your natural white teeth shine through.

There are three choices available when you want to use gel tooth whitening. You can get in-office treatment, buy a kit from your dentist, or buy a kit at the drugstore. Visiting your dentist can be the best option if you can afford it. A dentist is able to use the highest concentration of peroxide so you get several shades of whitening on just one visit. This is also the safest method. Your dentist has been trained in how to care for your teeth so he can minimize problems with tooth sensitivity and gum irritation.

The in-office gel tooth whitening procedure begins with a thorough dental examination and cleaning to make sure your teeth are healthy and that you have no problems that would interfere with gel whitening. The dentist will then apply a rubber dam to your gums so they are protected during the procedure. Next comes the application of a thick peroxide gel. The gel is left in place for up to 20 minutes. Then it is washed off and your teeth are examined for results. If they need more whitening, the procedure is repeated up to a maximum peroxide contact time of one hour.

The whitening progress will also be monitored during each interval to see how well the teeth have whitened and which teeth if any may require more gel. The total treatment time will not exceed more than one hour. Once the process is complete your dentist may recommend follow-up in-office gel whitening if results are not satisfactory.

Although gel tooth whitening is recommended done in your dentist's office there are drawbacks to consider. In-office whitening is expensive and can cost on average up to $650. Also, depending upon certain factors such as heredity, age, and type of stain, results can be less than predictable. This means that you may not achieve your desired results and end up spending more to continue treatment. In-office whitening is also not permanent and your dentist may recommend home maintenance.

If you don't want to spend as much money by going to your dentist they can dispense a take-home kit. The cost of the take-home kit ranges from $100 to $400. Many dentists agree that dentist-dispensed gel tooth whitening take-home kits provide the best results when used over extended periods of time. Such kits contain higher percentages of bleach than your average over-the-counter kits.

The gel tooth whitening kit you buy from your dentist can be customized for you for optimal results. He can make up a specific concentration of peroxide and preload the gel into the trays for you to use at home. The trays will be custom fitted to your mouth to allow maximum contact. Another benefit is that you will receive detailed instructions of the proper use of the kit as well as any safety precautions you need to take.

The least expensive method of gel tooth whitening is the over-the-counter store bought whitening kit. Store bought gel tooth whitening kits range from $20 to $100. Store bought whitening kits contain bleaching gel that has a concentration that is lower than what a dentist would use for an in-office visit or what is contained in a dentist-dispensed take-home kit. The whitening gel is applied on the teeth with a standard tray unlike the dentist-dispensed kit that is custom fitted. You can achieve whiter teeth with store bought kits but you must not expect the results to be the same as with professional treatment. - 30292

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