Great Whites
Photograph courtesy of Source Photography
| Time
| How it works
| Pro
| Con
|
|
Crest White- strips $35
| 30
| Apply the clear strips directly to your chompers; teeth start to look whiter after a few days.
| “It’s inexpensive, and the patient has total control,” Emami explains.
| The over-the-counter product removes only
| CVS Pharmacy, 231 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, 617-266-6775, cvs.com.
|
iWHITE $40-$50 | 20
| Foam strips go into the iWHITE mouth tray. Activate the tray’s blue light and place it on either your upper or lower teeth.
| The technology, impressive
| “You can burn your
| Rite Aid, 1295
|
Crest White-strips Supreme (the Rx $45-$60 | 30   | Just like the over-the-counter version, but with more oomph. The prescription kind has twice the concentration of hydrogen peroxide for faster, more visible results.
| “For the money, this is the best treatment,” says Emami. “The strips allow intimate contact with teeth, remove stains from the enamel, and prevent excess bleach from aggravating the gum area.”
| The strips may cause tooth
| Available exclusively through dental offices; whitestrips.com/en_US/supreme.
|
Zoom! Bleaching $500-$600 | One
| A dentist uses an oral shield to cover lips and gums, then applies hydrogen peroxide gel directly to teeth. An ultraviolet light is used to activate the bleach.
| One shot, and it’s done.
| It’s expensive—and the dentist has limited control over how white teeth become. Patients may also experience tooth sensitivity.
| Dental Specialties, 950 N. Main St., Randolph, 781-963-2222, dentalspecial
|