Many of the companies that produce the professional teeth whitening systems also have over-the-counter (OTC) options available to those who want whiter teeth without visiting a cosmetic dentist.

OTC products will often claim that you get the same results from their method as you could obtain from a professional tooth whitening treatment. This statement, although true in one sense, is very misleading. The idea is that OTC smile whitening products provide the same effect over a longer period of time by using a lower concentration of bleach (5% - 10%). Claims state that professional tooth whitening only provides faster results by using a higher concentration of bleach (15% - 25%). This is the difference between repeating the treatment every night for days or week, and leaving the dentist office with a noticeably brighter smile after only a single visit.

This may be the truth - but it’s not the whole truth. Cosmetic dentists whiten your teeth using a higher concentration of bleach, in conjunction with a laser tooth whitening system, such as Britesmile® or Rembrandt®. These systems apply a certain light frequency that activates their proprietary bleaching compound to enhance the whitening effect.

According to Doctor Alex Pavlenko, a cosmetic dentist in Alberta, Canada, professional laser teeth whitening is one of the most cost and time-effective aesthetic dental procedures available. “For a minimal fee, a patient can enter a cosmetic dentistry office and walk out less than two hours later with a significantly brighter smile,” says Dr. Pavlenko.

There are more reasons to choose professional tooth whitening over store-bought tooth bleaching products:

· Those that do not incorporate a tray can have uneven, “blotchy,” results. Saliva can dilute the mixture, or your tongue could wipe away some areas, leaving them untreated.

· Many OTC teeth whitening products contain glycerin, which could dry out your tooth enamel.

· Over-the-Counter systems to whiten teeth often use “whitening strips”. These are good for brightening the front surface of your teeth, but cannot do an adequate job of bleaching the cracks and crevices between teeth. The contrast between a bright, white tooth and the dark grooves between teeth can look like terrible cavities, or wide gaps.

If you are just hoping to lighten the fronts of your teeth a shade or two, you may consider over-the-counter tooth whitening products as an option. However, if you would like a winning, movie star-bright smile, professional cosmetic dentists are the only way to go.

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