I have a class reunion in two weeks and I want my teeth whitened fast. How would I go about doing that?

Thanks, Lou

Dear Lou,

A quick way to get your teeth whiter is through in office dental bleaching. Many dentists offer a one hour office treatment with Zoom, a professional whitening system. This treatment is completed in office and total prep time to completion is about an hour and a half. During this procedure your soft tissues in and around your mouth are protected and a gel is placed on your teeth. The gel is activated by a Zoom light. Teeth usually get 3 to 5 shades lighter however some people have reached 8 shades lighter. Every case is different and people respond to bleaching based on the original shade of their teeth.

This technique is safe however can cause your teeth to become sensitive like any other bleaching product. The sensitivity usually subsides overtime. Not everyone is a good candidate for bleaching so we recommend you visit a dentist for a consultation to see if you qualify. Remember that if you have dental work completed especially in your smile like white fillings, dental crowns, or veneers they will not bleach and your teeth will become lighter and your dental work will be more noticeable. Cost of this procedure usually runs a few to several hundred dollars.

Post courtesy of Dr. Malone, Lafayette Louisiana Cosmetic Dentist