What is the difference between in-office and at-home whitening?

Professional teeth whitening is a great way to enhance your appearance. Professional whitening treatments can involve short, one-time in-office visits or custom take-home kits. Compared to store bought teeth whitening products, professional treatments are far more effective without containing ingredients that can harm teeth. The primary difference between in-office and take-home teeth whitening is that take-home whitening involves using prescription whitening solution over time, whereas an in-office treatment is a one-time occurrence. Following is some helpful information about teeth whitening.
The Problems with Store Bought Products
Over the counter whitening products like toothpastes and strips tend to disappoint consumers. This is because these products do not contain formulas potent enough to lift dark, permanent stains. In some cases, their formulas are not consistent due to issues with packaging and exposure to extreme temperatures when transported from manufacturing centers to retail stores. An additional issue with store bought products is the fact that many contain abrasives, which are used to scrub surface stains that weaken tooth enamel.

In-Office Teeth Whitening
An in-office whitening treatment involves patients coming to our practice for a one-time, non-invasive procedure. Our staff will apply liquid dam and protective gauze over soft tissues like the gums and insides of cheeks before placing a potent bleaching solution over the teeth. The solution will then soak through the enamel surface of teeth to lighten stains. Sometimes, the effectiveness of the bleaching solution will be enhanced and deepened with the use of a laser. After treatment, teeth will appear remarkably whiter. Most patients enjoy a smile that appears eight to ten shades more vibrant.

Take-Home Whitening
Take-home whitening systems allow our guests to whiten their smiles gradually in the comfort of their homes. These systems are also beneficial to those who have received in-office treatments and want to maintain their results. Take-home kits include prescription strength bleaching ingredients and custom mouth trays. Meant to be used daily, patients will whiten their smiles when it is convenient for them.
To learn more about enhancing your smile through cosmetic dental treatments, call our office to schedule a smile makeover consultation with our holistic dentist.