In-Office vs. At-Home Teeth Whitening: Which is Right for You?
If you’d like to have whiter teeth, you can easily achieve great results with in-office or at-home teeth whitening treatments. However, determining which is right for you may prove to be a challenge. To help you choose which option is best, we’ll break down the differences between these two whitening options offered at our Kingston, PA office.
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About In-Office Teeth Whitening
In-office teeth whitening provides a great way to whiten your teeth within a short amount of time. Patients like this option if they have an important event, wedding, reunion, or speaking engagement right around the corner. In-office teeth whitening provides fast results noticed within your first visit. Below, we’ll explain more about the in-office teeth whitening process and what ingredients are used to whitening your teeth.
What Ingredients are in In-Office Teeth Whitening Products?
Teeth whitening products contain one of two teeth bleaching products: hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Both ingredients work to break down staining and concentration of color, which makes your teeth several shades lighter. In-office bleaching is stronger than at-home teeth whitening because it has a higher percentage of peroxide in the solution.
In-Office Teeth Whitening Process
When you come in for in-office teeth whitening, the application and placement of the bleach is administered by a dental professional. The process also includes protecting your mouth from the peroxide that’s applied to your teeth. This is done by covering your gum tissue with either a thin sheet of rubber or a protective gel to prevent gum irritation. Sometimes a laser or light is used in combination with the peroxide to accelerate the teeth whitening process.
Whitening your teeth in-office takes about an hour, and the results can last for several weeks to months depending on oral hygiene and habits (diet, drinking dark beverages, and vaping or tobacco use).
Is In-Office Whitening For You?
Many patients like the benefits of in-office teeth whitening, and we know you will too! If you’re interested in our in-office teeth whitening, schedule an appointment below to see if you’re a candidate.
About At-Home Teeth Whitening
Although at-home teeth whitening isn’t as strong as in-office products, you can still achieve great results within a few applications. At-home teeth whitening includes custom upper and lower bleaching trays and bleaching gel. To start, the trays are usually worn for 20-30 minutes at a time for a few days as directed by your dentist. After the initial round of treatments every month or so, you can use the trays for touch-ups.
What Ingredients are in At-Home Teeth Whitening Products?
At-home bleach uses similar ingredients to in-office products, but they are less potent. Since the percentage of peroxide is less, it takes a little longer to see results. But at-home teeth whitening may be a better option if you have some teeth sensitivity since the bleaching agent is milder.
At-Home Teeth Whitening Process
If you’re interested in at-home teeth whitening, getting started is simple. Making your custom trays involves taking impressions of your teeth. Fortunately, we offer digital impressions, which make this part of the process super easy.
Once the images are taken, your trays are made in-office and are ready next day. Your bleaching trays will be delivered to you with bleaching gel. We’ll also go over at-home whitening instructions and how much bleach to use. The trays are reusable, and whenever you run out of bleach, you can always stop by to purchase refills.
Is At-Home Teeth Whitening For You?
If you like the idea of bleaching your teeth at home and you have sensitive teeth, then this whitening option may be for you. Find out if you’re a candidate for at-home teeth whitening by scheduling an appointment today.
In-Office vs. At-Home Teeth Whitening
To help you narrow down your decision, view this list of pros and cons between these two teeth whitening options available at our office.
Pros and Cons of In-Office Teeth Whitening
Here are some pros and cons to in-office teeth whitening:
Pros:
- Results are usually seen in one application.
- Whitening is supervised by a dental professional.
- Teeth are whiter for longer periods of time.
Cons:
- It can be more expensive than at-home teeth whitening.
- May cause more teeth sensitivity following treatment.
- Requires a dental appointment and must be done in-office.
Pros and Cons of At-Home Teeth Whitening
Here are some pros and cons to at-home teeth whitening.
Pros:
- Trays are custom made for your mouth vs. other over-the-counter options, which are one size fits all.
- The bleach you get with your trays is stronger than over-the-counter products.
- You can whiten your teeth at your convenience while at home.
- It may be less expensive than in-office teeth whitening.
Cons:
- It may take several applications to achieve the results you’re looking for.
- Potential for user error like overfilling trays with bleaching gel can cause gum irritation.
- May require more frequent touch-ups since the bleaching gel is less potent vs. in-office teeth whitening.
Make an Appointment with Brand Dental
Unfortunately, teeth whitening isn’t for everyone. Therefore, it’s important to verify with your dentist to determine whether in-office or at-home teeth whitening options are right for you. Keep in mind that if your teeth have internal stains from medications or trauma, bleaching will likely not be effective. However, we’d be happy to see if you’re a candidate for teeth whitening or provide other cosmetic solutions to brighten your smile. Contact our office or schedule an appointment below to get started!
