Consumer Reports tested eight teeth whiteners: Crest Whitestrips Supreme, Listerine Whitening Quick Dissolving Strips, Crest Whitestrips Premium, Crest Whitestrips Advanced Seal, Aquafresh White trays, Target Whitening Dissolving Strips, CVS Easy Fit Whitening Trays and iWhite Light Activated Teeth Whitening kit.

I ranked them in order of Consumer Reports' preferences. The Crest Whitestrips Supreme ($50) were rated the best, but the strips need to be worn 21 days, 30 minutes twice a day. That's a big time commitment. On the low end of the whitening scale, CR doesn't recommend the store brand whiteners from CVS and Target.

You're better off finding a dentist who's offering a $99 bleaching tray special. You can find the deals advertised in neighborhood newspapers, City Pages, Valpak.com (see health tab), and Moneymailer.com (see professional tab). If you wait for the $99 special, you'll save yourself $150 to $200. Plus, the whitening can be done in less than one week.

After you get the bleaching trays made, you don't have to buy the bleaching goop from a dentist. Amazon.com sells it too. For example, a 6-pack of Nite White Excel (22 percent solution) is $34. Dentists charge about $75. Whatever brand your dentist gave you, google it online for prices or search prices at Pricegrabber.com

If the trays are still slow for you, watch for Zoom or BriteSmile specials at the dentist's office which take 90 minutes in one session, but cost more. An introductory offer is usually $200 to $350.

A few more tips: Skip the whitening toothpastes and mouthwashes, says Consumer Reports. They're not effective. And don't expect to find cheaper bleach at the U's dental school. Last time I checked they were slightly less than most dentist's offices but more than the introductory specials. The kiosks at the malls are using weaker bleaching concentrations than dentists use, but stronger than most OTC products.