One of the most common teeth whitening procedure is at home custom fit tray bleaching. A customized tray is fitted over your teeth. The bleaching gel is placed in the tray and worn for a stipulated period of time each day or during the night. This is one of the widely used techniques because it is easier to use and costs less.

The cosmetic dentist will take impressions of your teeth and a thin customized plastic tray is made which you will have to take home and wear for prescribed period of time daily.

At home customized tray teeth whitening system changes the shade of your teeth gradually over time and is less noticeable to others around you. The cost is also relatively low. However, this process will take usually two to four visits to the dentists' office.

In-office bleaching is another teeth whitening system commonly used. In this process the dentists apply a whitening gel along with a special light at their clinic. Sometimes this can be used as follow up treatment of at home tray teeth whitening procedure if required.

The advantage of in-office teeth whitening is that, usually it takes just one visit for a white enhancing smile. This treatment is comparatively less costly. The only disadvantage is that this process will bring in a sudden change of shade in your teeth which is likely to be noticed by people around you.

One of the most effective teeth whitening system is laser teeth whitening (in-office). This system uses laser rays that are sometimes combined with application of with whitening gel simultaneously. A translucent whitening gel is used on the teeth and a special activating light is applied which activates the crystals to attract the energy from the light. Then it penetrates the enamel to enhance the lightening effect on the teeth. This process involves around two hours of time.

Just one visit to the dentist is sufficient to complete this process. But this again will impart a sudden change in the color of the teeth which is noticeable and can cause some amount of inconvenience. This is one of the most expensive but fastest techniques used.

In some other cases where the above techniques seem to be ineffective teeth bonding and teeth veneers are used to get the same whitening effect. The procedure that would be appropriate for you should be discussed with your dentist to get the best opinion on teeth whitening.