What is teeth whitening?

In-office or take-home peroxide systems to lighten enamel.

What is teeth whitening?

In-office or take-home peroxide systems to lighten enamel.

Also known as

Quick facts

8–10 shades
average improvement with in-office Zoom!
6–12 months
duration before touch-up needed

Common reasons people choose this procedure

Approaches and motivations vary by surgeon and patient anatomy. Compare techniques and real outcomes on the main Teeth Whitening page.

Alternatives

Composite bonding for stains

Permanent stains (tetracycline, fluorosis) sometimes can't be bleached. Bonding masks them at the cost of more enamel work.

Veneers

If color is one of several issues (shape, alignment), veneers solve all three at once. Far more invasive and expensive.

Lifestyle changes

Cutting coffee/tea/red wine and improving hygiene yields some improvement without any product.

More on teeth whitening

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