Teeth Whitening Options Compared
In-office, custom trays, strips and toothpaste all whiten differently, and they are not interchangeable.
In-office whitening
The strongest option. A professional-strength gel, applied with your gums protected, lifts several shades in about an hour. Best when you have an event coming up.
Custom take-home trays
Trays molded to your teeth hold gel evenly against enamel for a set time each day. Results take one to two weeks but tend to last longer and are easy to touch up.
Drugstore strips
Inexpensive and mildly effective. Strips do not adapt to tooth contours, so results are often uneven, especially on crowded teeth.
Whitening toothpaste
These remove surface stains through mild abrasives. They will not change the underlying shade of your teeth, and overly abrasive formulas can wear enamel.
What whitening cannot do
Crowns, veneers and fillings do not change color. If you have visible restorations, we plan whitening first and match the new work afterward.
Written by the team at Uptown Dentistry, led by Dr. Nicki Tajalli, DDS, in Uptown Houston. This article is general information, not a substitute for an exam.