Has anyone here had their teeth professionally...

[Blondie]

Whitened...or will they admit to it?

I'm particularly referring to the kind where they make the mold of your teeth, then when it's ready, they send you home with a kit that includes the plastic teeth mold trays, bleaching syringes, etc.

How was your result? Would you recommend it? Did you have any sensitivity to the bleaching agents used?

How long did you start out with the bleaching trays? I'm reading conflicting messages, some say use it overnight (even with the 22%), some say start out only for several hours at a time.

 

[kathy387]

My daughter had to have whitening done after her braces came off because she had some yellowing where the braces were. It took approximately 1 1/2 to 2 months and she was monitered by our dentist and now her teeth look wonderful! It cost $300 but the end result was totally worth it...I think she smiles alot more than she used to!And she didn't have one problem with sensitivity from the bleaching.

 

[HayGan]

My dentist says that the at home stuff is just the same as the stuff they use in the office. He said that if the at home stuff doesn't work then I would have to go the laser route. (My teeth aren't bad but they aren't blinding white either )

 

[Forevryoung]

How long did you start out with the bleaching trays? I'm reading conflicting messages, some say use it overnight (even with the 22%), some say start out only for several hours at a time.

My Dad is a cosmetic dentist (does general dentistry too). I have done the bleeching trays for years (as soon as my teeth look ick again i do it two or three times and back to white). It depends on the type- there are certain ones marketed as "overnight" and some marketed to be left in for an hour. I like type left in for an hour. I am afraid I would spit the overnight kind out in my sleep. I have been promised that they get the same results.

 

[Blondie]

HayGan, I think the difference between the store/infomercial bought devices and the ones you buy at the dentist is the trays that are custom molded to your teeth. I've tried the "white stripes" etc. and the difference was so subtle I couldn't tell, nor could my DH.

Forevryoung, I'm going to try it out. The girls at the office said leave it in overnight (this is with the 22% stuff) but the instructions that came with the kit said 1-2 hours.

I guess I'll have to give them a call back. I really don't want to have to wear those things all night long! My dentist was having a special, everything only cost me $230! I've heard of people spending triple that amount for the exact same thing!

 

[hucifer]

Yep, my dentist gave me the kind that uses the tray. You squirt the paste on the tray and wear it for about an hour a day, I think. I certainy didn't wear it overnight.

YES it worked brilliantly! I think it cost about $180, but that was about 10 years ago.

Yes, my teeth were sensitive for about a week. After using it, the sensitivity went away.

Even now, 10 years later, I still get compliments on my nice white choppers.

See?

 

[Blondie]

The kit included a special toothpaste that is supposed to help with sensitivity if I have it. It's called "NeutralCare." It's "neutral sodium fluoride home topical, 1.1%."

I guess I'll find out!

20 years of coffee drinking has taken it's toll. Good thing I don't drink coffee AND smoke!

 

[Forevryoung]

The first time you do it, try it for an hour and see how you react to it. You are going to have to do it several times anyway. It would stink to do it all night and wake up in the morning and not be able to eat becaue of the sensitivity.

**Avoid drinking coffee/tea/soda after bleeching your teeth!!!!! They will soak up anything that has a color to it for a few days afterward.

 

[Blondie]

Okay, I just did it for one hour. I must've used too much because it was frothing over the tray on to my gums, my tongue was burning, I was dabbing and spitting, spitting and dabbing. I quickly found out that spitting does you no good, it just keeps coming back!!

I must say, my first experience wasn't too great in the beginning!

Anyway....mama mia! I can see a difference already!

Is one hour supposed to work this fast?

Maybe I'll do it for another hour later on just to see.

No sensitivity as of yet.

 

[Miranda Danda]

My daughter had to have whitening done after her braces came off because she had some yellowing where the braces were. It took approximately 1 1/2 to 2 months and she was monitered by our dentist and now her teeth look wonderful! It cost $300 but the end result was totally worth it...I think she smiles alot more than she used to!And she didn't have one problem with sensitivity from the bleaching.

Me too! I got mine done in 7th grade when I got the braces off. It wasn't bad at all, but it made me feel better so it was worth it.

 

[bunnyfoo]

My dentist wanted $500 to whiten my teeth. He said the results would last longer than the at-home kits and I could choose how white I wanted my teeth. I usually use 1 Crest Whitestrips kit a year so I figured I could use the extra money for Disney trips

 

[Stacerita]

I whiten my teeth occasionally. My mother is an RDA so I was able to get my trays done for free. I usually will purchase the bleach tube when Im needed them done. Usually done them only once a year or so. And I also try to "spif" them up if I have something important coming up like a wedding. Im lucky that my teeth are naturally white and brite so they dont really "need" to be done. I just like how they look when I do them.

 

[delilah]

I used the professional kit probably ten years ago. I couldn't tell the difference, to tell the truth, although the dentist seemed pleased with the results. I couldn't bear to use the stuff on my teeth--the hygienist told me to keep it in overnight, and that I could wear the mold all day. My teeth hurt so bad, it was torture. It also had gastrointestinal side effects--excess gas. Now, I use the Crest whitestrips about once a year.

 

[Cindyluwho]

I used the professional kit probably ten years ago. I couldn't tell the difference, to tell the truth, although the dentist seemed pleased with the results. I couldn't bear to use the stuff on my teeth--the hygienist told me to keep it in overnight, and that I could wear the mold all day. My teeth hurt so bad, it was torture. It also had gastrointestinal side effects--excess gas. Now, I use the Crest whitestrips about once a year.

Around here we blame that on the dog!

 

[ktpool]

I use the molded kit from the dentist. He said I could use it for 2 hours at a time, but you have to refresh the gel after the first hour, because it loses it effectiveness after 1 hour. I don't see how leaving them in for all night will make a difference, unless you get up and put more goo in. I do fall asleep with them, but just take it out when I wake up in the middle of the night and put them on the nightstand.

I saw a huge improvement the first 2 months, but have not been very good about doing the refresher/follow up every few weeks. But when I do think about it, the do look whiter right away!

It was worth every penney ($300).

 

[rbuzzotta]

I had my teeth whitened with laser. It was a gift from DH. Honestly, I did not really notice too much of a difference. The dentist and hygienst insisted my teeth were pretty white to begin with (something I disagreed with!). My teeth were quite sensitve after for about 1 week!!! OUCH!!

Now I use Crest White strips here and there and it seems to add some whitenss and not sensitivity!

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Not only have I had mine whitened, but I eventually had porcelain veneers put on. It was worth every single penny. I'm vain... what can I say?

Here's my pretty choppers (business card photo - don't laugh!):

 

[Blondie]

Am I there yet, nice pearly whites you have indeed!

I read that we're (the general population) is getting more and more obsessed with our teeth and how they look. I'll admit, I can spot a mouth full of bad teeth a mile a while. It can make or break one's smile.

I'm simply doing it because I don't think my teeth look white anymore, to me they look grey. My DH and family thinks otherwise, but I don't care what they think! I want them to look like they did when I was 20 years old.

I'm not looking for a blinding white/movie star look, no way. That would be too obvious. With the home bleaching kit, I can make them as white as I want them to be and touch up as I see fit, like for an upcoming special occasion, etc.

Thanks for the input everyone! I'll keep you posted! I hope I can stick with it, like I said, my first experience wasn't too great, but I think that was my fault!

 

[almacdonald]

I paid $300 for the tray and gel. It's 20-something % peroxide. I've used it a few times and haven't noticed much of a difference..... other than the blinding pain, ouch!!!! Teeth were sooooooo sensitive!