Professional teeth whitening products contain higher concentrations of chemical bleaching agents like carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide and must be provided by and/or applied by a dental professional. Generally speaking, professional teeth whitening products and treatments deliver faster, more dramatic, and longer-lasting results in less time than most over-the-counter products.
At Dental Depot of DFW, we understand that you want to love the smile you see in the mirror, and if that means making it whiter, then our team of experienced dental professionals can help you decide what teeth whitening option may be best for you. If you’re thinking about whitening your teeth, you owe it to yourself–and your dental health–to make sure you’re choosing a product that’s just as safe as it is effective.
All teeth whitening products–both professional and at-home/DIY–work essentially the same way. Whitening agents like carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide are applied to the teeth to penetrate the enamel and break up and remove stains and discolorations. Stains can develop on the outer layer of the enamel (extrinsic stains) or on the dentin, the deep inner material underneath the enamel (intrinsic stains). While stains or discolorations aren’t necessarily an indicator of your dental health, they can make you feel self-confident about your smile.
It is important to note that while teeth whitening can make your smile appear brighter and whiter, it does not improve the health of your teeth. In fact, improper use of any teeth whitening products can even harm or damage your teeth or gums.
In addition, whitening treatments will only change the color of natural teeth; tooth-colored restorations will not respond to teeth whitening.
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Over-the-counter teeth whitening products are available in a wide array of forms, including:
You can find them at most drugstores or even in the dental care aisle of other stores.
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Professional teeth whitening products usually have to be prescribed or provided by a dentist. You can get professional teeth whitening as an in-office procedure, with take-home trays, or a combination of both.
In-office or chairside teeth whitening is performed by your dentist during an appointment. It consists of an office visit and special whitening chemicals that must be applied by a trained dentist to avoid damaging the oral tissue.
Take-home teeth whitening kits use prescription-strength whitening gel and silicone trays to whiten your teeth in the comfort of your own home.
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For the most part, the best teeth whitening solution for you is the one that fits your lifestyle, your budget, your schedule, and your whitening goals. However, there are some distinct differences in areas like the quality and longevity of results, efficacy, cost, and how long it will take you to get the smile you want.
Over-the-counter teeth whitening products are peroxide-based, containing ingredients at a lower concentration than professional products. Whitening toothpastes typically rely on abrasives to mechanically remove extrinsic stains, while whitening strips use peroxide to bleach the teeth.
Professional teeth whitening uses a higher concentration of prescription-strength whitening products. The bleaching agent available to dentists is available in a higher concentration than what you can find in stores, making it more powerful and better able to penetrate the enamel of your teeth. KOR products, for example, contain 16% carbamide peroxide and 34% dual-activated tri-barrel hydremide peroxide gel, while Opal Go uses 15% hydrogen peroxide.
At-home/DIY Whitening Kits can take between two and three weeks–or longer–to see noticeable results, and that’s with regular, consistent use and/or lengthy application times. It could take even longer to get the results you want if you don’t use them as directed or skip applications.
In-office professional whitening can brighten your smile in as little as two hours or less. Professional take-home kits can take several days or weeks, but results tend to be more dramatic at the end of your application and last longer.Â
Results from at-home/DIY teeth whitening kits are gradual and can be mixed and inconsistent, since they rely on you to use the product as directed, and can only brighten your enamel by three to four shades. Additionally, most over-the-counter teeth whitening products can only remove extrinsic stains–the ones on the surface of your teeth–not the deep intrinsic ones. While it’s true that studies have shown that whitening toothpaste leads to a lighter shade than non-whitening alternatives, only those who have surface-level stains will benefit. Toothpaste can’t penetrate deep into the tooth, and once it’s removed what it can from the surface, it will stop working to whiten your smile. Results from over-the-counter products could last four to six months with good care and occasional touch-ups.
The results from professional teeth whitening will vary depending on the method you use, but, for example, chairside whitening–made more effective with laser-curing–can whiten your teeth by up to eight shades in just one 45-minutes session. Moreover, you’re more likely to get the results you expect, since you’re receiving the treatment from an experienced professional. With proper oral hygiene, routine dental exams, and limited consumption of foods and beverages that can cause more stains, your results could last from six months to three years.
At-home/DIY kits can be messy and difficult to apply precisely, putting your gums and oral tissue at risk of damage or harm from the whitening chemicals. When choosing an over-the-counter teeth whitening solution, whether it’s toothpaste, trays, strips, or gels, prioritize products bearing the ADA Seal of Acceptance. This seal ensures quality and typically indicates a carbamide peroxide concentration of 10%, including 3.5% hydrogen peroxide.
Although it relies on a higher concentration of whitening agent, professional teeth whitening is applied more carefully and precisely for better results. In the office, special protection can be placed over your gums so they aren’t damaged by peroxide exposure. Take-home trays are designed to fit better in your mouth to minimize how much of the bleaching gel comes into contact with your gums and other oral tissue, reducing sensitivity. Moreover, a dentist can make sure that your teeth and gums are healthy enough for teeth whitening before you ever start the treatment.
Over-the-counter teeth whitening products can vary widely in price, and while they cost less than professional teeth whitening, they can still be pricey with no guaranteed results. An average at-home kit, for example, costs around $50, with a box of 12-24 strips or tube of toothpaste costing between $10 and $20. However, it’s also important to consider as part of the cost that you’ll likely need to purchase more products more frequently to get and/or maintain your desired results.
Professional take-home teeth whitening kits can range from $150-$600, with chairside teeth whitening costing anywhere between $500 and $1,000. However, professional teeth whitening is one of the safest, quickest, and most effective methods of teeth whitening and produces dramatic results that can last a year or longer.Â
At-home/DIY teeth whitening can be done in the convenience of home on your schedule in just a few minutes a day, but it can take twice as long or longer to get the result you want.Â
While chairside professional teeth whitening must be performed by a dentist during a scheduled appointment, professional-strength take-home kits can be just as convenient as over-the-counter products but with more efficacy.
Professional teeth whitening is just one of the comprehensive dental care services offered at all of Dental Depot’s DFW-area locations. We offer professional applications and products such as:
Opal Go, from Opalescence, a $99 at-home whitening system that’s ready to use right out of the box. The UltraFit tray conforms to fit your smile and uses 15% hydrogen peroxide gel to whiten your teeth in as little as 15-20 minutes a day for 5-10 days.
Opal GoBoost, a combination of Opal Go and in-office treatment. First you’ll wear your Opal Go UltraFit trays for 5 days, then you’ll come in for an in-office treatment, which includes 2-3 20-minute whitening sessions. Then you’ll use the Opal Go trays for another 5 days, revealing a stunning smile that’s several shades whiter. Opal GoBoost’s whitening gel contains potassium nitrate and fluoride for patient comfort, and it’s vegan and gluten-free.
KOR Max, which also combines at-home whitening with a single in-office visit. In addition to 2-4 weeks of at-home nighttime whitening with Kor Night 16% carbamide peroxide, KOR Max includes one in-office treatment using 34% dual-activated tri-barrel hydremide peroxide gel and periodic at-home maintenance.
KORMax Ultra, an at-home and in-office whitening system designed for dark geriatric staining and stubborn cases like fluorosis. The KORMax Ultra treatment includes an initial in-office conditioning visit, followed by 4-8 weeks of at home nighttime whitening with Kor Night’s 16% carbamide peroxide, a final in-office whitening visit with 34% dual-activated tri-barrel hydremide peroxide gel, and periodic at-home maintenance.
If you’re interested in discovering a smile that’s whiter and brighter, schedule an appointment at the Dental Depot location nearest you and find out how we can help you love what you see in the mirror!
