In-Office vs At-Home Whitening Treatments

Everyone wants to make a good first impression, but stained teeth can make you feel self-conscious. There are multiple options for teeth whitening treatments, so which one is right for you?  Different treatments can get you different results and you always want to ensure the continued good health of your teeth.

In-Office Whitening

In-office whitening treatments are typically more expensive, but they also provide more drastic results. They involve a thorough exam, where your dentist will determine any problems that may hinder your results, cause you undue pain, or end with damage to your teeth. An in-office whitening treatment will provide immediate results, though it may take a few days for the final results to be apparent.

The dentist’s presence allows the use of a gel that contains higher levels of hydrogen peroxide than an at-home treatment, which will provide a larger difference in shade. A professional in-office whitening treatment will provide immediate results safely.

At-Home Whitening

At-home whitening treatments are typically inexpensive and more convenient than an in-office treatment. They do contain lower concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, so they don’t provide the same degree of change that you see with an in-office whitening treatment. At-home whitening treatments can also cause tooth sensitivity. Furthermore, you must be careful to examine the ingredients of the kit before applying it to your teeth, to ensure that your teeth will not sustain damage from the product.

When using an at-home whitening treatment, you must follow the directions carefully. Using the product in any way other than that intended can result in damage to your teeth. Prior oral hygiene problems can result in severe pain when using the whitening kit. Ideally, you should get a professional dental cleaning before using an at-home whitening solution.

 

An at-home whitening treatment is ideal when the level of whitening desired is minimal. For a significant change, an in-office whitening treatment will give you the best results. An in-office whitening treatment followed by a dentist provided at-home whitening kit will give you the largest amount of whitening possible. Either solution works, but you must be careful when using an at-home whitening kit.

To learn more about an in-office whitening treatment, or to schedule your dental checkup, contact Jenson Dental in Brigham City, UT today.