Professional teeth whitening can make a significant difference in the way your smile looks in just one visit to a dental office. However, many people want to know: What is the difference between professional and at-home teeth whitening? Please read our article to be more informed on this topic before choosing which option is the right one for you.
What Is the Difference Between Professional and At-Home Teeth Whitening?
When comparing at-home and professional teeth whitening, it is important to distinguish two types of at-home teeth whitening: it can be provided by your dentist or bought in a drug store. Let us look at all three options in more detail:
Professional Teeth Whitening Procedure at a Dental Office
Before a professional teeth whitening procedure is performed at a dental office, your doctor will discuss your goals with you and also will examine the health of your teeth and gums. Even though a professional teeth whitening procedure is generally safe, some patients should not whiten their teeth due to their oral health condition. Also, some types of teeth staining and discoloration might not be responsive to whitening treatments. In this case, your dentist can recommend other cosmetic solutions.
Based on the shade of teeth you want to achieve and the condition of your dental health, a cosmetic dentist will choose the appropriate strength of the whitening solution. Because your dentist will perform the procedure in the controlled environment of a dental office, the solution can be more potent than at-home treatment. It has the added benefit of being safe for the enamel of your teeth.
Thus, safety, customization, and more noticeable results (up to 8 shades lift of the teeth color) are the most important benefits of in-office professional teeth whitening. Additionally, many patients prefer an office procedure because it can deliver desirable results in just one dental visit as opposed to at-home solutions that produce gradual results over time.
Professional At-home Teeth Whitening Provided by Your Dentist
Professional at-home teeth whitening kits provided by your dentist are also safe for your teeth because they are custom-made after an examination of the oral health of the patient and a consultation. The difference between professional at-home whitening and in-office whitening is in the method of application and the time the whitening takes.
If you opt for at-home whitening, you will receive a set of trays with whitening solution and a schedule according to which you should wear them. It can take anywhere from two to four weeks of wearing your trays several hours a day to achieve desirable results. The amount of time the treatment takes depends on the strength of the whitening solution and your goals.
Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening Solutions
Teeth whitening solutions that you can buy at a drugstore are produced for an average user with healthy teeth and gums. This means that your oral health considerations and goals can not be taken into account. Most teeth-whitening solutions contain hydrogen peroxide as a primary bleaching agent, which makes the enamel of your teeth more porous to penetrate its deeper levels and destroy the staining particles. By performing unprofessional and unsupervised teeth whitening at home, you can irreversibly harm your teeth. Specifically, once your tooth enamel is destroyed, it cannot be repaired. Also, a bleaching solution can harm your gums, especially if you have any form of periodontal disease.
Additionally, some over-the-counter whitening kits cannot deliver similar results to professional teeth whitening. This is due to the fact that the solution is much less potent than what you would find in a dental office.
Admittedly, over-the-counter whitening solutions can be much less costly than professional options. However, if you harm your teeth in the process, the treatment might cost you much more in the end than a whitening procedure. If you still opt for over-the-counter teeth whitening, we strongly recommend you consult your dentist beforehand and undergo an examination of your oral health to determine if teeth whitening in any form can be safe for you.
Lastly, before considering teeth whitening, we recommend getting a professional dental cleaning, as some surface discoloration and stains can go away after this procedure.
Make an Appointment Today
Do not hesitate to make an appointment with an experienced cosmetic dentist at the Valley Adler dental office if you are considering professional teeth whitening. Our specialists use a personalized approach to every patient to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the procedure. We are looking forward to your visit.
