Many of the companies that produce the professional teeth whitening systems also have over-the-counter (OTC) options available to those who want whiter teeth without visiting a cosmetic dentist.

OTC products will often claim that you get the same results from their method as you could obtain from a professional tooth whitening treatment. This statement, although true in one sense, is very misleading. The idea is that OTC smile whitening products provide the same effect over a longer period of time by using a lower concentration of bleach (5% - 10%). Claims state that professional tooth whitening only provides faster results by using a higher concentration of bleach (15% - 25%). This is the difference between repeating the treatment every night for days or week, and leaving the dentist office with a noticeably brighter smile after only a single visit.

This may be the truth