The Blog of Dr. Firouzi Babak, D.D.S.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Dentist Office Tooth Whitening vs. Take Home Kits

Years of drinking red wine, dark colas and coffee can leave your teeth looking dark or yellow. Tooth whitening can brighten your mouth, enhance the aesthetics of your smile, and increase your overall self-confidence. There are two primary methods available for tooth whitening through your dentist: in-office power bleaching and custom-designed take home kits.

In-Office Power Bleaching

The most powerful, effective method for whitening your teeth is in-office power bleaching. This method utilizes a concentrated hydrogen peroxide gel that is activated with a light source, and can whiten your teeth by 16 shades. After the in-office treatment, you will be given touch-up trays to use at home to keep your smile bright and dazzling.

At the Center for Aesthetic Dentistry, we offer the Dr. Rod Kurth's Deep Bleaching system, a highly effective procedure that provides permanent, predictable results every time with little or no tooth sensitivity.

Customized Take-Home Kits

If you are looking for a more affordable tooth-whitening option for one-third of the price, customized take-home trays may be right for you. The trays are created in a dental laboratory using impressions of your teeth, and can brighten your smile about five shades.

The primary difference between these two options is the strength of the peroxide and the cost of treatment. In-office power bleaching provides immediate, permanent results (with touch-ups needed every few months), costing between $750 and $1,500. Customized take-home trays cost between $200 and $600, with results lasting several months.

If you live in the Pittsburgh area and want to brighten your smile, please contact highly trained Pittsburgh cosmetic dentist Dr. Babak Firouzi at the Center for Aesthetic Dentistry to arrange a complimentary consultation.

posted by Tiffany at 12:48 PM