With so many teeth whitening options available—both over-the-counter and professional—it can be difficult to determine which option is best for your teeth. While take-home tray whitening systems are effective, patients typically prefer in-office teeth whitening with their dentist. That’s because professional whitening involves careful preparation and the use of high-quality products that yield results almost immediately.

Teeth typically become discolored through extrinsic factors like coffee, wine, or smoking—or through intrinsic factors like medications, or excessive fluoride use. Although some people experience discoloration simply due to aging.

Before your whitening procedure begins, your dentist will complete initial prep work, including a thorough cleaning of your teeth and gums. Next, he or she will apply the whitening solution onto any exposed surfaces. Depending on the whitening system being utilized, a light source may be used to enhance the whitening gel.