How long does teeth whitening last?


How long the result lasts after teeth whitening can vary from patient to patient. That being said, most of my patients who have had whitening do want to perform touch ups 6 months to year later. This doesn't mean that their teeth returned to their original shade, but instead they probably feel that the color has darkened and they want a "boost" to brighten their teeth once again.

I don't advocate in office whitening as a stand alone procedure, but instead encourage my patients to have custom whitening trays made at approximately the same time as they have their in-office procedure. Usually we take impressions immediately prior to applying the in office whitening  and deliver their custom trays about one week later. These trays are tried in and trimmed  and a day whitening solution is usually dispensed ( either Ultradent 35%  or DayWhite 22%).

Some people choose not  to bleach their teeth because " the result is not permanent", but to me this argument doesn't hold water, since these very same people do have their hair colored frequently by hair dressers or by using hair coloring at  home .  With that in mind, touching up a smile with a weeks worth of day whitening, once or twice per year for  30 minutes a day , doesn't seem like it should be considered a deal breaker.

Some say they are afraid that their teeth will appear unnaturally white, but truth be told, this sort of result is unlikely unless someone really works at it over a long period of time. Those who want a more natural result just need to stop when their desired shade is attained.

Given that hair color and tooth color are two visible signs of aging, treatments that address these changes probably make sense for someone seeking a younger appearance. The cost of take home whitening solutions are quite affordable ( about $30 for weeks worth) and the results can brighten a users smile noticeably.  In my office, a combination Zoom treatment and take home whitening costs $950 and the take home trays, if properly taken care of can last for years. After the initial expense, maintenance can be as little as $30 per year.



from Ask Dr. Spindel - http://lspindelnycdds.blogspot.com/2019/03/how-long-does-teeth-whitening-last.html - http://lspindelnycdds.blogspot.com/

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