LIVE CHAT
Most people think of fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin as the tell-tale signs of aging. But one of the most noticeable signs of advanced years - and fortunately, one that's inexpensive and easy to fix - is a discolored smile. As we age, the pulp inside our teeth shrinks and darker-colored dentin fills in, resulting in a more yellowed grin. Add to this years of red wine, coffee, tea or smoking and stains can turn from yellow to gray or brown. While regular cleanings can help diminish minor stains, more aggressive measures may be needed to restore your pearly whites to the luster of your more youthful days. Brightening teeth just a few shades can remove years from your appearance, making your smile look cleaner, fresher and more natural. Here's the scoop on the latest whitening treatments for every budget and lifestyle.
In-Office Whitening Professional whitening can produce dramatic and instant results with bleaching ingredients like Peroxide or laser whitening methods like BriteSmile, Zoom! and LaserSmile,all of which can brighten smiles up to ten shades in as little as a two-hour treatment. These treatments are most effective for brightening yellow-teeth - those with translucent gray or blue teeth may not get the best results. Bleaching and laser whitening costs typically range from $500-$1500, but can last up to two years.
At-Home Bleaching
Take-home trays of bleaching gel offer the strength of an in-office treatment with the convenience and lower cost of an at-home treatment. Typically, these tray systems use Carbamide Peroxide to remove stains over the course of two to six weeks, while dark stains (like those caused by smoking) can take up to three months to fade. At-home bleaching can cost between $250 and $850, depending on the duration of the treatment.
At-Home Whitening Systems
One of the most popular - and budget-conscious - whitening methods uses over-the-counter strips or gels. Most use 6% to 10% Hydrogen Peroxide solutions as the bleaching agent, which can deliver results in as little as seven days. They're more convenient than bleaching trays, but don't offer the same long-term results. Also, since this type of whitening doesn't involve any expertise or dentist involvement, there is more of risk of over-bleaching - overuse can dehydrate teeth, leading to sensitivity or structural problems. While drugstore varieties like Crest Whitestrips and Rembrandt run around $35, department store varieties like GoSmile can run around $100 for a treatment cycle.
Veneers
Most people think of porcelain veneers as a solution to crooked teeth, but their smooth, ceramic surface also makes them a viable option for dramatically whitening very dark teeth when other options fail. And since they are made from a non-porous material, they are a long-term whitening solution, withstanding future stains to stay bright for many, many years.
Easy Tips for a Brighter, Younger Looking Smile
In addition to whitening treatments, here are some everyday steps that help teeth appear whiter and brighter.
Consult a dentist and have a full exam performed before you embark on any whitening treatment, as bleaching teeth with micro-cracks can make discolored teeth look worse.
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