If you are considering teeth whitening products you more than likely are wondering which is better at home teeth whitening products or the dental office whitening process. Of course, if you are talking about which method is stronger and done with professional tools, and then you have to agree that the dental office would be your best bet. On the other hand, you should compare both options before making the decision.
The very first thing you must consider is the strength of the products used. All of the over the counter products will not have the same strength as the products used in the dentist office. A matter of fact, you will only be receiving around 3% to 5% hydrogen peroxide in the over the counter products compared to 15% to 43% at the dentist office.
Next on the list of things to compare is the mouth guard tray. The one that comes in the over the counter product is designed for everyone. Not every one has the same exact size of jaw and of course all teeth are not the same. At the dentist office, your dentist will create a mouth guard created from the impression of your teeth. This will ensure a proper fit, which will aid in keeping the whitening gel on your teeth and not on your gums. The whitening agent can and does cause damage to the gums. In the dentist’s office you are sure to have a better fit and safeguard your gums.
Extra care is another reason to visit your dentist for major teeth whitening procedures. Your dentist in most cases along with using a custom fit mouth guard will also apply a gel or a rubber shield for extra protection for your mouth and gums.
If time is precious to you and you do not want to wait up to 4 weeks for a noticeable change in the whiteness of your teeth, then you had better forget all the over the counter products. You may see a small change in a couple of days but after 4 week you will notice the most difference, which may only be a shade, or two lighter. At the dentist office you will have some results in only visit, which will take about 30 to 60 minutes. According to the staining, you may need more visits to obtain the whiteness you desire.
Cost is another major factor. Of course, at home whitening products are going to leave some money in your wallet costing around $20 to $150 whereas the teeth whitening procedure at the dentist office can cost around $500 to $1,000 for all the teeth.
One other reason many people prefers the whitening to be done by their dentist, is that the dentist will exam the teeth and talk over the options that are available for whitening. This will provide each person with professional advice and supervision, which ensures the safety of your gums and mouth. Many dentists have products at their office they can send home with their patients to whiten their teeth if they prefer to do it in the privacy of their home. This should be discussed with your dentist if you do not want the huge expense of him or her performing the process but you desire a professional process. |
