Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

teeth whitening

Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
Lil0818

Lil0818

Rough_Rock
Joined
Apr 10, 2007
Messages
46
just curious... how many brides-to-be are having their pearly whites professionally bleached before the wedding?
 
I'm planning and saving to do laser whitening. I've had just okay results with both crest whitestrips AND the custom trays/gel from the dentist... they whiten the lower half, but for whatever reason the gumline area always stays yellowed.

I'm not a coffee drinker or smoker, so I'm hoping the laser whitening results will last longer than average for me
9.gif
 
I haven't had any experience with professionally whitening. But my husband and I used Crest Whitestrips before our wedding. I only need to use a couple strips and it is good enough for me. My teeth are kind of sensitive - they whiten easily and stay white for a long time. It's been about a year later and I could use a couple more strips. I haven't bought any yet though. They are really easy to use and I totally recommend them to people who want an at home whitening treatment.
 
Both my FI and I are going to the Britesmile spa in NYC to get our teeth laser whitened 2 wks before the wedding. I have a couple of friends who have done it and it turned out great....We are totally looking foward to it!
 
I did Zoom a month before. I have a thread about it somewhere one here. I do think it made my teeth whiter but it was slightly painful. The bleach really makes your teeth sensitive.
 
I''ve done Zoom but not before my wedding. I did it this past spring, and I didn''t realize that after the laser whitening session in the dentist''s office, I had to do bleach trays at home for 2-3 weeks afterwards. It may be different for you, depending on how white you are trying to go. My teeth were in the "average" part of the shade finder chart, and I wanted to go all the way to the brightest white. So I did the hour-long Zoom process in the office, then a week later I picked up the trays (they look like invisalign braces) they made from my impressions and proceeded to whiten twice a day for 20 min. at a time at home. My teeth turned out really white and I was happy with the procedure. Definitely find out from your dentist whether you''ll have to do the in-home whitening trays as well so you give yourself enough time before your wedding to complete the process.
 
Date: 7/3/2007 12:14:39 AM
Author: monarch64
I''ve done Zoom but not before my wedding. I did it this past spring, and I didn''t realize that after the laser whitening session in the dentist''s office, I had to do bleach trays at home for 2-3 weeks afterwards. It may be different for you, depending on how white you are trying to go. My teeth were in the ''average'' part of the shade finder chart, and I wanted to go all the way to the brightest white. So I did the hour-long Zoom process in the office, then a week later I picked up the trays (they look like invisalign braces) they made from my impressions and proceeded to whiten twice a day for 20 min. at a time at home. My teeth turned out really white and I was happy with the procedure. Definitely find out from your dentist whether you''ll have to do the in-home whitening trays as well so you give yourself enough time before your wedding to complete the process.
Click to expand...
I''ve done it twice now. Once after braces came off several years ago and then again about a year ago. It really isn''t a walk in the park for me but it''s the only thing that really seems to work well for a long time. I''m doing it again a month before the wedding to make time to do the take-home trays as well. The take home bit is very helpful for me because I get VERY sensitive in the chair and they stop usually before the maximum zooming can be done so the trays make sure I get the maximum w/o all the pain.

Even tho it hurts, it gives the most beautiful results and I''m so excited about doing it again.
 
I have done Zoom and Brite Smile a couple of times and I liked the results, but it can be painful during the procedure. If you have sensitive teeth or certain health issues I would be very careful.
 
I''ve been wanting to whiten my teeth, but I''m glad that I''ve read everyone''s comments! My teeth are extremely sensitive. (Sorry to thread-jack!
1.gif
) Any at home solutions work?
 
I used one of the dentist-prescribed take-home kits a few years back and saw an impressive improvement. I can''t remember the brand, but it came with prefilled disposable trays and the stuff was fruit flavored (like peach or something...). I used them before having a cap on a front tooth replaced so the dentist could match the cap color to my whitened teeth. In hand with that is a real warning: dental work like fills, caps, bonds, etc, will NOT whiten!! If you''re like me and have repair work in visible areas (I broke half my front tooth off as a kid....) be aware that if you get your teeth whitened you may have to get your repairs replaced so they match the rest of your teeth in color!
 
What''s the difference between Brite Smile and Zoom? I live in NYC and like Dani, I was thinking of making an appointment at the Brite Smile spa. Also, I have two porcelain veneers for my two front teeth (I broke them falling off my bike when I was in 3rd grade) so, do you receive a consultation at Brite Smile to discuss those kinds of things?
 
Date: 7/3/2007 9:56:22 AM
Author: blushingbride
What''s the difference between Brite Smile and Zoom? I live in NYC and like Dani, I was thinking of making an appointment at the Brite Smile spa. Also, I have two porcelain veneers for my two front teeth (I broke them falling off my bike when I was in 3rd grade) so, do you receive a consultation at Brite Smile to discuss those kinds of things?
Click to expand...
They will whiten you to match your veneers or you can choose to get new veneers (they usually only "last" about 15 yrs I hear) that will match your naturals once they are whiteneed. But, yes, the clinic you go to should definitley have experience with your type of case! If you don''t feel like they do, go elsewhere.
 
Since veneers cannot be whitened, they would match the whiteness level to the veneers...if you think that the veneers are not white enough you might have to replace those, but honestly that is pricey to do and a PITA too.
 
I had Brite Smile a couple of years ago and it worked pretty well, but MAN did it hurt! I have TMJ though, so having my mouth open that long was part of the pain, but my teeth hurt too. They gave me a prescrition pain killer... Darvocet I think? And that made me nauseous. I had to take the next day off work, but I just said it was "dental work"... didn''t want to tell my boss I had to stay home because I had my teeth whitened!

I''m not doing it again before the wedding, but I''ve maintained it mostly with special toothpaste. I would love it if M would do it, but he won''t. That''s what photo-editing is for though.
 
20/20 the tv show showed that Laser whitening does not get your teeth as white the trays. My friends father who is also a dentist said the same thing as 20/20 re: laser whitening.
I paid the dentist for the professional whitening and I think it is almost as good as the chrest white strips. My BIL did the Chrest Whitestrips and I was amazed at how well they turn out. You do get some teeth sensitivity.

ETA: the 20/20 show was about 2 years ago so things may have changed.
20.gif
 
My dentist told me that the laser part done in office was to really get your teeth primed and cleaned for the at-home bleaching tray portion. For the record, I had some bonding done last year on my front tooth and I didn''t notice any difference between the bonded part and the rest of my teeth as far as color. However, my teeth weren''t very stained or discolored to begin with, and the bonded part was fairly new.
 
I think if you can stick with it, the crest strips and the other at-home options are pretty effective and affordable. But only if you can stick with it..............and don''t mind waiting 2 weeks for results.

Another thing to remember: after you whiten, whether that be from laser or strip or gel, the tubules in your teeth are effectively open and are more prone to "absorb" color........so stay away from ANY foods that would stain a white shirt for a good 2 weeks until after you''re done whitening and the tubules have had time to close. It''s THE biggest PITA to do this but trust me, I didn''t listen the first time and my results were SO less fantastic than the second time where I actually listened to this advice.
 
Date: 7/3/2007 10:35:31 AM
Author: diamondfan
Since veneers cannot be whitened, they would match the whiteness level to the veneers...if you think that the veneers are not white enough you might have to replace those, but honestly that is pricey to do and a PITA too.
Click to expand...

This is what has always prevented me from even using crest white strips. My two teeth next to my front teeth on top are veneered and I''m afraid my other teeth would get too white for them! My eye teeth are actually my problem teeth, so I may have to see if I can get something that I can brush on just for those teeth. I can see the color difference in my e-pics and it really bothers me!
 
Date: 7/3/2007 11:21:35 AM
Author: So_happy
I think if you can stick with it, the crest strips and the other at-home options are pretty effective and affordable. But only if you can stick with it..............and don''t mind waiting 2 weeks for results.

Another thing to remember: after you whiten, whether that be from laser or strip or gel, the tubules in your teeth are effectively open and are more prone to ''absorb'' color........so stay away from ANY foods that would stain a white shirt for a good 2 weeks until after you''re done whitening and the tubules have had time to close. It''s THE biggest PITA to do this but trust me, I didn''t listen the first time and my results were SO less fantastic than the second time where I actually listened to this advice.
Click to expand...
Yup, totally agree with this. Even beer or white wine can stain your teeth when you first have the procedure done.
 
I''m not going pro but doing to crest whitestrips at home
 
Like Monarch my teeth weren''t really stained to begin with. I had no luck with crest whitestrips. I actually didn''t find the two week (no staining food) to be a big deal but then again I don''t like coffee or tea. I would get these electric shock sensations for weeks, sometimes months after. The first day (after the procedure) was HORRIBLE. Maybe I am just a baby. I also got the custom fitted trays. The Zoom is suppose to give you a jump start and the trays maintain the whiteness. My MIL uses her trays all the time and has the WHITEST teeth of anyone I know.

Also know that your teeth will only reach a certain level. It is different for everyone but have realistic expectations.
 
Date: 7/3/2007 11:21:35 AM
Author: So_happy
I think if you can stick with it, the crest strips and the other at-home options are pretty effective and affordable. But only if you can stick with it..............and don''t mind waiting 2 weeks for results.

Another thing to remember: after you whiten, whether that be from laser or strip or gel, the tubules in your teeth are effectively open and are more prone to ''absorb'' color........so stay away from ANY foods that would stain a white shirt for a good 2 weeks until after you''re done whitening and the tubules have had time to close. It''s THE biggest PITA to do this but trust me, I didn''t listen the first time and my results were SO less fantastic than the second time where I actually listened to this advice.
Click to expand...
So true!!! I had a pink margarita by accident and had pink teeth so I had to bleach all over again. So from that moment on I had a tooth brush and paste w/me and pure flouride. The flouride helps keep the teeth from absorbing color. Your dentist will tell you or better yet ask him.
 
Dani, I would not advise to get teeth whitening done so close to your wedding date. I also have sensitive teeth and didn''t know it until the 4th round of Brite Smile, where I experienced a pain so intense I yelled out "get this off of me NOW!" And the pain kept coming intermitently over a period of about a week or so. Get it done a month before so you dont have any mouth pain during your wedding!
 
I didn''t want to mention the incredible pain at first because, honestly, it''s so bad I don''t know WHY I''ve done it twice already and I didn''t want to scare the OP away from doing it as I hear I''m in the minority with the hell-pain. But since a couple of you have already mentioned to do it at least a month before etc due to the pain y''all have felt..........I wanted to chime in and SECOND THAT!!!!

I literally have to take the next day off of work do to this "simple" procedure and that "day off" is spent in terrible pain. Sorry, OP....it''s real tough for some of us
7.gif
Plus, even if you don''t have bad sensitivity, you will want to do the maintenance part for a few weeks to get them fully whitenend.

On the positive side, altho the pain is truly the worst,........I''m doing it again because the results are just SO fantastic. I keep hoping each time I do it that new products can be used to prevent such sensitivity but so far that thinking steers me a bit wrong lol. At least now I KNOW to take the proceeding day off and take MUCH advil beforehand!!
 
Maybe I''m just one tough chick, but I didn''t experience the electric zings or shocks in my teeth after I had done the trays for 24-48 hours. I do remember my teeth feeling really sensitive when I first put them in, but after the first few times I didn''t have any discomfort. In fact, I started wondering if it was working because I wasn''t having any more sensitivity! I wonder if you could try the crest whitestrips first and see if your teeth react well to those and then move onto the Zoom or BriteSmile? When I did the whitestrips I didn''t have sensitivity then either. Just a thought...
 
Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top