Are whitening strips really worth it?

It depends.....: They work well for younger adults with minimal darkness to their teeth. For older, heavily stained teeth, professional dentist supplied whitening treatment (in-office zoom! or take home trays) work well. I have found the best results with kor system which, costs more, includes 2 in-office light activated treatments and very well constructed take home trays. A well designed system.

Possibly: Over the counter whitening strips work well on some teeth shades. Try a set and see if it works for you!

Yes and no: In order for whitening strips to work you need to apply them for many days however some patient become sensitive and they would have to stop.

Sometimes: Some of my patients have been pleased with the crest whitestrips, while others have encountered too much sensitivity or less than desired results. Each case is different. They have some limitations and precautions. Rather than using any self help procedure, it is always best to first discuss the options with a trained profession to help each patient make the best choice for their specific needs.

Sometimes.: Whitening strips work better for some people than others. They also are well known to cause sensitivity in the teeth and gums, although this is only temporary. So, to answer your question, if they work well enough to satisfy you, they are worth it. If they don't, try a professional system obtained from a dentist. Don't whiten unless you recently saw a dentist for a cleaning and exam for cavities.

Variable results: We have had a few patients that have tried the whitening strips with variable results. Most people say it has some effect however, the majority of the time, unless you plan on using it regularly, the results may be very temporary.

SO SO: Bleaching trays with different strength peroxides dispensed by a dentist are the best.

All depends: The answer to your question depends on your expectations and your goals for whiter teeth. You need to consider your budget, too and compare to other whitening methods, like professional whitening, etc.

Usually not: (disclaimer: everyone is different, and some people may get results with otc products, and others get scammed) the strength of the gel in the strips is a fraction of what your dentist can provide you. You may have to buy 3 or 4 of the "cheaper" kits for the same result, if any. Also, the strips don't fit most peoples teeth well and most people benefit form a well-fitting custom made bleaching tray.

Depends: It all depends on your expectations. Also, if you have deep intrinsic stains or tetracycline stains, strips don't work well.