Whitening of the teeth is performed for patients who desire a brighter smile. Tooth whitening can be performed to reduce discoloration and staining or provide the patient with whiter, brighter teeth.

Teeth whitening is used to correct discoloration of the teeth by removing the brown and yellow staining. The term "teeth whitening" can refer to a number of techniques to improve the brightness of the patient's teeth. Among them are chemical whitening, mild acid whitening, abrasive teeth brightening, and the newest technique, laser teeth whitening.

Teeth bleaching is a chemical process used to lighten the color of the patient's teeth. The procedure can be performed entirely in the dental office, or it can be performed by the patient in their home, using materials provided by the dentist. The home method is often used because it saves the patient from making an office visit for each treatment.

Before the patient embarks on the home teeth whitening regimen, the cosmetic dentist creates a custom mouth tray for the patient. The custom tray is a critical component of the treatment. It ensures that the correct whitening solution is used and that the patient's teeth are properly exposed to the whitening solution. The custom-made mouth tray provides a better fit than a one-size-fits-all mouth tray to help increase the margin of patient safety.

The steps in the home teeth whitening regimen are fairly straightforward. The cosmetic dentist's office provides the patient with the materials and instructions and also answers questions the patient may have about the routine.