professional vs at-home teeth whitening

Professional vs. At-Home Teeth Whitening

When it comes to flashing a dazzling smile to add that extra bit of glamour to your personality, discolored or darkened teeth are definitely a spoiler. Since our front teeth form a major component of our smiles, people go to great lengths to ensure that the health and aesthetics of their teeth are in perfect condition.

Since teeth whitening is the most popular form of cosmetic dentistry today in effect, there are several methods available in store and at dental clinics that provide teeth whitening near you.

The teeth whitening solutions available in stores provide a range of products to be used at home following the instructions provided with the products. While these may be convenient for some, they do not provide a high degree of whitening effect as the strength of hydrogen peroxide, the main whitening ingredient, is low. At best, these products can lighten teeth anywhere from 3-6 shades. For people wanting faster and more prominent results (8-10 shades lighter), it is highly recommended to visit a dentist near you for professional teeth whitening.

At-Home Teeth Whitening

Let’s look at some of the at-home methods of teeth whitening available that are worth considering.

Whitening strips and pens – If you are looking for at-home options for teeth whitening in Kissimmee, you can try out whitening strips or pens. Whitening strips need to be applied over cleaned teeth and left for at least 30-40 minutes. These can make the color of your teeth lighter by 2-4 shades if used regularly. Whitening pens come with a brush tip for proper application of the whitening gel, LED light, and lip protectors. After applying the gel, you have to use lip protectors to prevent your lips from coming in contact with the whitening gel. You can apply light to the gel for 15-30 minutes to enhance the whitening process. This method also whitens teeth by 3-6 shades.

Whitening trays – These come as boil-and-bite custom trays that you can prepare yourself following the instructions on the product. You can also find an online retailer that can customize and send you a whitening tray for a better fit. Either way, depending on the frequency of the treatment, whitening trays will provide results up to 5-8 shades lighter than the current color of your teeth.

Professional Teeth Whitening

Although the at-home methods provide moderate results, they are not suitable for people looking for higher degrees of teeth whitening, and for those who find the at-home methods tedious and time-consuming. A dentist in Kissimmee providing professional teeth whitening service will have better methods available to suit your needs.

The Zoom! ® technology can whiten your teeth up to 10 shades within an hour. This method is best suited for those who want dramatic results after a one-time session. The process involves the application of the whitening gel to your teeth by carefully avoiding gums and lips using protectors. The high concentration of hydrogen peroxide in this whitening solution is especially effective in removing deep stains.

The KoR whitening system is by far the most effective method of teeth whitening available today. The process involves the use of dental trays filled with KoR whitening gel which need to be placed on your teeth while sleeping, for a couple of weeks. Once that period is over, finishing touches will be provided by the dentist in the clinic to complete the process. This method provides results up to 16 shades lighter.

Depending on the degree of whitening you are looking for, and whether you prefer a fast procedure or do not mind some extra efforts to achieve whiter teeth, you can decide which method you want to go for. If you opt for professional teeth whitening in Kissimmee, please contact us at Smile 101 for a great experience and amazing results!