Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips

Bottom line

Although Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips are easy to use and promise fast results, dozens of reviewers complain of severe tooth pain and sensitivity. Several also say that results are minimal at best. Reviewers say Crest 3D White Whitestrips Advanced Vivid (*Est. $40) are more tolerable and produce better results overall.

Performance

Minimal results. For those who want results fast, Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips may seem like the perfect over-the-counter solution. These bandage-like whitening strips are covered in a peroxide-based bleaching solution and can used for a single two-hour treatment. Results are expected to last approximately three months. A quick fix for stained teeth with somewhat lasting results, right?

Not so say users at TeethWhiteningReviews.com and Amazon.com. According to them the strips leave much to be desired. While some are happy with the whitening effects, most say the results are minimal at best. A few reviewers say they got the best results by doing back-to-back treatments -- which is not how the Whitestrips are designed to be used. Manufacturers recommend waiting three months between treatments.

One user compares 2 Hour Express with other strips in the Crest 3D White line and says, "The 2-Hour Express strips obviously don't pack the same punch in only 2 hours every three months." Indeed, beauty expert Maggie Gallant tells CBS News that users can expect whitening of just one to two shades with these strips.

Ease of use

Staying power. Like all of the whitening strips in the Crest 3D White line, reviewers say 2 Hour Express is easy to use. The strips adhere to teeth much like a bandage, and users say they really stay put. Some reviewers like the convenience of being able to complete an entire whitening treatment in two hours. Others say that two hours is an uncomfortable length of time to wear the strips.

Safety

Tooth pain and sensitivity are common. They are not recommended for those with sensitive teeth. Severe tooth pain and sensitivity is a common complaint among users of 2 Hour Express Whitestrips. For many, the pain lasts for hours after treatment has ended. One user at Amazon.com says, "I myself do not have particularly sensitive teeth, and this stuff kills them!" Another at TeethWhiteningReviews.com says, "I have NEVER felt tooth pain like this in my entire life."

Aside from tooth sensitivity, 2 Hour Express Whitestrips are generally safe for most people with healthy teeth. It's important to consult with your dentist, however, before beginning treatment to ensure you don't have any underlying problems (such as cavities or gum disease) that could be aggravated by bleaching ingredients.