In-Office Professional Teeth Whitening vs. Take-Home Whitening Trays (2024)

FAQs

In-Office Professional Teeth Whitening vs. Take-Home Whitening Trays? ›

Whether performed in a dental clinic or when someone uses a tray at home, both teeth whitening options do a good job. After all, a dentist customizes a patient's take-home tray just like the one used in the clinic. Also, a dentist chooses the appropriate chemical formula, the same for in-office and at-home treatment.

Professional whitening is done in a dental office. In-office whiteners are much stronger than the other two alternatives because they have more peroxide in the solution. They can change the color of your teeth faster than at-home methods.

Professional teeth whitening uses a more effective process

This means that the hydrogen peroxide content of your at-home kit is very low, whether you are using toothpaste, liquid filled trays, or strips. Dr. Yalamanchili is able to use a stronger process in her office, typically approved for use by dentists only.

That said, at-home whitening products have lower concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, meaning they may not offer the same degree of shade changes that you get from professional whiteners. Products like brush-on whiteners, strips or trays can be purchased online, at pharmacies and grocery stores, etc.

It's important to note that DIY whitening isn't as strong as in-office whitening, which is why it takes much longer to see the desired result. Before starting any type of whitening treatment, you should make sure your teeth and gums are healthy and speak with your dentist to compare teeth whitening options.

Since teeth whitening treatments primarily target the outer layer of the teeth, they may have limited effectiveness in removing these deeper stains. In such cases, alternative cosmetic dentistry options like dental bonding or veneers may be recommended to improve the appearance of the teeth.

The most effective treatment you can receive through your dentist is Zoom! laser teeth whitening treatment. While this procedure is not the cheapest fix for yellowing, it is the most effective, quickest, and long-lasting procedure. If you are looking for the best brightening solution, Zoom! is it!

Option #1: In-Office Laser Whitening

Using lasers and peroxide-based whitening agents in a professional setting, this teeth whitening method provides dramatic, lasting results. While the whitening results are great, you should also consider the cost.

As a result, you may wonder if professional tooth whitening is worth the cost. Lots of patients are curious about in-office treatment and ask if it is really better than at-home options. The answer is a resounding yes. The most effective way to whiten teeth is with a professional in-office treatment.

If you're looking for long-lasting results, Bianca Velayo, DMD of Green Valley Smiles Dentistry, recommends looking for peroxide-based products if you're hoping to whiten tooth enamel. You can opt for either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide as both will reverse internal and external stains on teeth, she notes.

Are teeth whitening trays from dentists worth it? ›

Teeth whitening treatments provided by dentists are a more effective and safer approach to improving the color of teeth than over-the-counter alternatives. These custom whitening trays are made from an impression of the patient's mouth, so they fit properly.

Some trays are moldable, so they can be fitted to the individual's teeth for a more even whitening result. For many people, teeth whitening kits work well on both surface-level and deeper stains. The average cost of a kit is $20-$100. Trays provide more coverage than some teeth whitening strips.

While at-home whitening kits do not whiten teeth as fast as professional whitening treatments, most patients will achieve their desired shade of white in as little as two to three weeks. Over-the-counter teeth whitening products can take up to six weeks before producing any noticeable results.

While mass-produced, at-home kits might be a cheaper option, consider that professional teeth whitening is a safer and more effective investment. Professional teeth whitening at Sedation Dental Care creates more effective results in a shorter amount of time.

When done by a professional, it can last anywhere between 6 months to 3 years. In comparison: Over-the-counter whitening products may only last a few months. Professional teeth whitening is an investment in a brighter smile for longer.

Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleach that can help to whiten stained teeth . For optimal whitening, a person can try brushing with a mix of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide for 1–2 minutes twice a day for a week.

Professional solutions used by your dentist are typically stronger than those in over-the-counter kits, so your teeth may whiten more quickly.

The results of dental chairside or in-office bleaching are long-lasting but not permanent. With proper care, your brighter smile can last for 1-3 years. A single session may last anywhere between 40 minutes to an hour.

In-Office Teeth Whitening

Your dentist will carefully set up and monitor the procedure, making it safe and pain-free. And unlike in-home teeth whitening, in-office/professional whitening uses high-concentration bleaching gel, which means you'll get immediate, noticeable results from the treatment.

The good news about teeth whitening is that the treatment itself doesn't cause any pain whatsoever, so you can rest easy.