Tiny beads of sweat had begun formulation on my forehead. My heart was palpitating and I was strapped to what seemed like some sort of a medieval torturing device. As a mistake I had decided to wear my tight-knit hat, which was already suffocating me and as I stared out at the nurse through my large yellow goggles a feeling of physical entrapment engulfed me completely. My lips were pried back to expose my gums, I was instructed to bite down on something, and lips, gums and teeth were all coated with some gooey matter. Suddenly the walls around me started closing in, I had only been in the chair for about three minutes and still had an hour ahead of me, three increments of twenty to be exact.

Unable to speak I waved to the nurse to try to communicate my urgent need to be released, at first I had trouble making him understand, after all, he had put in all that work preparing me, I couldn't very well let it all go to waste. Could I? I could and I did.

Moments later I was freed and when I could finally speak I was given water as I apologized for my behavior. A doctor made a special visit to my area and asked if I was ok. I explained my claustrophobic tendencies and promised to be on my best behavior the second time around reassuring her that I would be ok. I was given a few minutes to regroup and then started the process all over again but this time under the doctor's supervision, I guess I had become a "special" case. It wasn't long before I found myself in that same predicament, trapped, strapped, and held captive.

I would have to sit through an hour of motionless intensity while a bright light beamed at my teeth. I was told that every twenty minutes the gel would be reapplied for optimal results. With my headphones in place and my remote securely in hand so began my countdown of gradual torture. I flipped through channels aimlessly landing on every possible broadcast of a Saturday morning infomercial trying to keep myself clear of any approaching anxiety.

A whole hour of this seemed ludicrous to me, it had been only ten minutes and I already wanted out. Complimenting the horrid thoughts of physical imprisonment were also thoughts of asphyxia and suffocation. They were all in my head of course, but all very real to me at that very moment in question. From time to time the concerned and very dedicated doctor would come and check on me looking for an indication of well being which I would communicate through an assuring nod. To be frank it was more of self-assurance than anything else.

I coached myself through a whole hour, trying to concentrate on any and all infomercials the best I could as the countdown slowly came to a close. FINALLY!!! The time had come to be released from the jaws of teeth whitening and as the device was slowly and strategically being removed I silently rejoiced in my triumphant victory. I had made it though an entire hour in a claustrophobic's nightmare.

After I was all done I got to finally take a gander in the mirror and admire my pearly white smile, which I had acquired through an according fee and an hour of torture.

Was I happy with the results? Absolutely. Was I happy with the service? It was top notch. Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes but with some caution. Would I do it again? Yes in exactly six months.

By: Lucky Clover