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I got the Opalescence kit from my dentist. You use custom molded trays with it.
It worked really well actually, had quite a few comments on how much better they looked. My teeth were already pretty white (actually really white once cleaned), it just helped tone down my fluorosis. I only used about 20% of the product at first, I've used another 20 since. You are supposed to wear it overnight.
The weird thing it did is that your teeth are almost opaque for a few hours afterward.
I forget how much it was, but it wasn't cheap. I asked about using some over the counter stuff and they said it doesn't get the whole tooth most of the time (they weren't making $$ off of it, it's a dental school), and the stuff they gave me is quite a bit stronger. I've heard people with sensitive teeth need to be careful, I experienced just s little extra sensitivity after ~3 consecutive uses.
make sure you've had your teeth cleaned recently and get a fluoride rinse to use afterward. don't smoke or drink anything known to stain teeth for a while afterward.
I used the Crest whitestrips a couple years ago. They worked pretty well. I bought the more expensive, faster acting version. Paid about $30 at the wholesale club. Noticeable change in color.
The whitening lasted a few months. Didn't do it again since the wife thought I was doing it for a girlfriend or something. I didn't need the drama....
I've used the whitestrips about 1 1/2 yrs ago and then recently. Just the $20 or $25 box. They seem to work very well, whitening my teeth considerably. I had to wait a little bit between days because of tooth sensitivity, but that seems to be fairly common.
I tried the whitening mouthwash as well, but I ended up getting canker sores (?) or whatever in my mouth and it turned my gums a lot lighter, so I quit using that. All in all my $20 - $25 box was a LOT less than the hundreds my dentist wanted. I say go for it
I recently got braces off and tried the "Rembrandt 2 Hour White Kit". You put the gel into trays and use the trays for 20 minutes. I made in through the first tray, then put the 2nd tray in. (you do it 4 times in a row) After 5 minutes the pain was unbearable so I took them out. I found my gums burned and bleeding.
The directions say "Dont let in contact with gums". Well, how the hell is this down with a TRAY?!?!
So, becarefull.
Also, all these products are the same. Perdoxide. Thats it. So get w/e is cheaper on the shelf. Equate has a nice Crest Whitestrips knock off for half the price.
Last edited by Americanmadeford; May 4, 2007 at 08:09 PM.
It's all peroxide, but not quite the same. The type using carbamide peroxide (from the dentist) are going to be better for people like me who have staining throughout the tooth (fluorosis). It breaks down to hydrogen peroxide over time and allows longer sessions/deeper whitening.
The hydrogen peroxide is quicker/stronger initially. You use it for less time per treatment but it is also more likely to burn your gums.
10% hydrogen peroxide solution is going to be much stronger than a 10% carbamide peroxide (it will break down into ~3% hydrogen peroxide solution).
I had to do some reading when I saw crest advertised Hydrogen, and I knew that wasn't exactly what was in mine
Opalescence works great for me! Totally worth it! Ask your dentist about it, it lasts a really long time...a little goes a long way and if I can remember correctly it's about 50 bucks.
Last edited by glamgirl12; May 16, 2007 at 01:10 AM.