The White Stuff: The newest ways to brighten teeth

April 2005, Boston Magazine

By Christie Matheson

They say you can never be too rich or too thin. That mantra might now need a codicil: Your teeth can never be too white. While the celebrity bleaching craze may be extreme, we do agree that a brighter smile can do wonders. Since this is National Smile Month, we asked dentist Thomas P. Connelly of the cosmetic dentistry firm Connelly & Fiorillo about Boston's hottest whitening options.

  • PORCELAIN VENEERS A thin layer of hand-sculpted porcelain is applied directly to your teeth. The veneers can help correct unsightly gaps and make teeth appear straight. Results last 15 to 25 years. Treatment time: One to three hours. Cost: $10,000 to $40,000.
  • LASER WHITENING For this in-office procedure, concentrated hydrogen peroxide is applied to teeth and activated by a laser to speed up stain removal. Results last about two years if you follow up with at-home bleaching. Treatment time: One office visit. Cost: About $1,000 to $2,000.
  • BLEACHING TRAYS This professional bleaching treatment involves a custom-sculpted plastic mold filled with buffered carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide gel applied at home. Results last about two years. Treatment time: One to eight hours a day for two weeks to two months. Cost: About $500.
  • CREST WHITESTRIPS Connelly says these are the best over-the-counter option, and though they might not whiten quite as well as professional treatments, it's tough to beat the price. Results last about 12 months. Treatment time: 30 minutes twice a day for 7 to 14 days. Cost over this period: About $20.