At-home Teeth Whitening vs. In-office Teeth Whitening
Having a smile that's as bright and white as possible is ideal if you want to look your very best. Of course, that's easier said than done. There are so many foods, beverages, and other substances that can leave your smile looking less than its best. That's where visiting a skilled cosmetic dentist is so crucial. By meeting with a skilled dentist, you'll be able to learn about all of your options for brightening and whitening your smile.
One of the most popular options out there for enhancing the brightness of your smile is teeth whitening. There are professional options as well as over-the-counter whitening kits that you can buy at your local store. Let's take a moment right now to compare the two so you understand how they compare to one another.
About Professional Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening refers to dentist-supervised teeth whitening treatment. While the exact nature of the process can vary based on the whitening system that is used, the procedure will involve the use of a bleaching gel that is applied directly to the tooth. The bleaching agent is then exposed to a laser light that helps enhance its whitening properties. The process is usually repeated two more times during the session.
About At-Home Teeth Whitening Options
At-home teeth whitening kits come in many different forms. There are toothpastes, rinses, whitening strips, and tray systems. In general, the most effective at-home whitening option is the tray system. These involve the use of a bleaching agent that is placed in a mouthpiece. This mouthpiece is worn for varying lengths of time based on the instructions. (Wearing the tray for longer than instructed can lead to serious tooth sensitivity and discomfort.)
How do the two compare?
By far, professional teeth whitening is far better than at-home teeth whitening. There are a few reasons why professional teeth whitening is superior:
- Faster results - Professional teeth whitening works much faster given the strength of the bleaching agents
- Better results - For serious tooth discoloration, at-home teeth whitening treatments cannot achieve the level of brightness that professional whitening can
- Safer treatment - Professional teeth whitening means supervision by a dentist to help prevent serious side effects
Which teeth whitening option would be best for me?
We feel that professional treatments are the way to go with regard to teeth whitening. However, we should also note that some kinds of stains and discoloration are not able to be treated with teeth whitening. This includes deep-set stains, stains that originate from within a tooth rather than at the tooth's surface, or stains that are the result of tooth decay. In those cases, an alternative would be best.
Alternatives to Teeth Whitening
Other options for teeth whitening include dental bonding, porcelain veneers, and dental crowns. During your consultation, we will be sure to go over all of your options for teeth whitening and cosmetic treatment.
Learn More About Cosmetic Dentistry Treatment
For more information about teeth whitening and what you can do to enhance the overall beauty of your smile, be sure to contact our Westmount cosmetic dentistry practice today. The entire team here looks forward to meeting you in person and helping you look your very best.
