Some people are self-conscious because their teeth are discolored, fortunately there are professional whitening options that can solve this problem. People can enjoy a lovely whiter smile by having either an in-office teeth bleaching procedure done or alternately by using a whitening kit at home which the dentist provides. Most of the popular commercial bleaching products for sale, cannot provide results of the same caliber as these treatments can.

Before a dentist will recommend a patient for whitening, he or she will examine the teeth and determine if the person is a good candidate for this procedure. Patients who have artificial frontal restorations, intrinsic stains on the inner layer of the teeth, or have very sensitive teeth or worn enamel may be better suited to another approach.

An in-office whitening treatment involves first applying a protective shield or gel to the gums, and next treating every tooth with a bleaching agent that will then be activated using a special blue light. This process takes about an hour and provides quick results, if the patient desires a lighter shade a second treatment will be needed.

With the take-home whitening kit, the dentist takes an impression of the patient's mouth. At a dental lab, the impression is used to make customized whitening trays. Upon returning to the dentist, the patient will be given the trays along with the solution and the dentist will instruct him or her how to use it. In most cases the solution-filled trays are worn daily for a minimum of thirty minutes, for about a two-week period.

This approach to whitening offer many benefits to those who decide to go ahead with it. Overall, it restores a person's confidence in his or her appearance, improving their looks and making them even appear younger. It's versatility means that not only can it be easily customized, but it may also be applied in combination with other forms of cosmetic dentistry, and it produces quite dramatic and fast results.

Patients generally appreciate the short treatment time involved in these whitening methods. Most report teeth which are up to eight shades whiter after just one hour with the in-office technique. While it takes longer for results to be seen with the at-home kit, it does produce improvement as well eventually and comes with the added convenience of not having to leave home, enabling patients to carry on their usual activities during its use.

Bleaching is also one of the most economical ways to improve one's smile and is certainly less time-consuming and invasive than other procedures used for this purpose such as porcelain veneers, crowns, and bridgework. It is a safe procedure, but occasionally some people may experience slight irritation afterwards if they are sensitive to the whitening agent used. There is still a lower chance of side effects with professional treatment than over the counter types.

Results of the whitening can vary from one patient to another depending on several factors. The extent and depth of the staining, natural enamel shade, and method of whitening used all affect the final outcome of the procedure. The patient's lifestyle habits will also influence the results as well and can contribute to how quickly they will fade. Smoking, drinking coffee, tea, or red wine, and certain medications can cause new stains over time.