How Long Does It Take To Whiten Teeth?

Teeth whitening treatment is a highly desired cosmetic procedure. Gradual yellowing or discoloration of the teeth is normal, but there are effective whitening options available. Professional teeth whitening provided by a dentist can give you dramatically whiter teeth in the shortest period of time. But exactly how long does it take to whiten teeth? Here’s what to expect. 

Type of Teeth Whitening Treatments 

There are a few different types of whitening treatments and they differ in terms of the speed and effectiveness of the results. The following whitening treatments are ranked from the slowest to the fastest results. 

3. Store bought whitening products. There are a myriad of teeth whitening products you can buy in stores or online from toothpaste to wands to strips. Store bought products may be the most affordable, but they are also the least effective. They also take the longest amount of time for you to see results. 

2. At Home Professional Whitening. Professional teeth whitening can be applied at home using a customized tray you wear over your teeth. With at-home whitening you can expect to see results in as little as one week with full results in about 2 weeks.

1. In Office Professional Whitening. In office whitening treatment is applied by your dentist and a special light is used to accelerate your results. In as little as one treatment you can see dramatic results. 

Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening Treatments 

In addition to the fact that professional teeth whitening treatments provide the most effective and fastest results, there are additional benefits: 

• Safe for your teeth. Professional teeth whitening products are approved by dentists for their safety. The whitening agent is strong, but gentle to provide results without damaging your tooth enamel. 
• Little or no sensitivity. Store bought products are sometimes known to make your teeth sensitive to cold and heat after treatment. But professional teeth whitening produces little or no sensitivity. 
• Longer lasting results. The results of professional teeth whitening last longer than the results of store bought products. In office treatment can last for 1-3 years and at home treatments can last up to a year. 
• Cost effective. With the longer lasting results of professional treatment, you don’t have to keep purchasing more whitening products in order to maintain your results. 

Are You a Candidate for Professional Teeth Whitening? 

Teeth whitening works best on clean, healthy teeth. This means that a dental cleaning will be needed before you can get a teeth whitening treatment. If your teeth are in need of any restorative procedures, those will also need to be taken care of first. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Teeth Whitening?

Does teeth whitening irritate your gums? 

A rubber shield or protective gel is applied to your gums before in-office teeth whitening is applied. This prevents any irritation to your gum tissue from the whitening agent. 

Does insurance cover teeth whitening? 

Teeth whitening is considered to be a cosmetic treatment, which means that insurance does not cover it. Financing is available to divide the cost into affordable monthly payments. 

Where Can I Get Professional Teeth Whitening?

If you want a whiter smile, Metropolitan Dental Care provides professional teeth whitening in both at-home and in-office formats. We carefully apply the whitening agent to customize your results and give you a natural looking smile. Our at-home whitening kits are easy to use with a customized tray for comfort. 

Call 212-867-4223 or contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment.