If you’re considering undergoing teeth-whitening treatment, chances are you’ve at least Googled your options. There’s the option no dentist would get behind — over-the-counter teeth-whitening strips — and then there are the dentist-approved treatments available at any clinic: in-chair procedures and take-home kits. In this blog, we’re breaking down each option so you can make an informed decision about your whitening adventure. Will you book a seat in our clinic or whiten your teeth from home?
What’s Wrong With Teeth-Whitening Strips?
Before we launch into the central discussion, let’s get this out of the way: why don’t dentists approve of teeth-whitening strips? Although these over-the-counter alternatives will cost less than an in-chair procedure or a teeth-whitening kit, the general consensus is there’s a reason for that. Strips are abrasive to teeth, containing high levels of enamel-weakening hydrogen peroxide. Overall, procedures such as Zoom Whitening and dentist-prescribed teeth-whitening kits are safer with better-lasting results.
Why In-Chair Procedures Are Popular
If you want instant results, get your teeth whitening done in-house. The noninvasive procedure should take about 45 minutes — one hour, tops — and leave teeth glowing up to 15 shades whiter. Your dentist will apply a whitening gel to your teeth, activating its effect using a laser. A bleaching agent will attack dental stains without the irritating aid of hydrogen peroxide.
Following the procedure, your teeth’s pores will be open and more likely to ‘seal in’ incoming stains. To preserve your pearly whites, you’ll need to avoid coffee, cola, black tea, red wine, sauces, cigarettes, or anything else that could stain a white T-shirt — for the seven days that follow, and ideally moving forward.
In-chair whitening can also be a hybrid option. If you want to ‘top up’ your treatment, ask your dentist for a teeth-whitening kit. That way, you can reapply the whitening gel whenever you notice a tint returning.
Why You May Prefer a Teeth-Whitening Kit
If the biannual checkup and clean is about your limit for having people poke and prod around in your mouth, a teeth-whitening kit may be more your speed. Although results may not materialise for about three weeks, using a teeth-whitening kit allows you to apply the gel on your own schedule, using a tray customised to your mouth.
Of course, each time you apply the gel, you’ll need to avoid stain-inflicting foods and beverages, particularly during the following week. If you use tobacco products, you should ensure you’ve quit them for good before you undergo teeth whitening, as they will only undermine your efforts.
A bonus perk of applying the gel on your own time is that it’s the more cost-effective option. Though neither option is super budget-friendly, teeth-whitening kits will save you a few hundred.
Dental Veneers: The Teeth-Whitening Solution That Slipped Your Mind
Dental veneers may be your solution if you believe your teeth are irretrievably discoloured — or if you wish to alter their shape and colour. Veneers are tooth-coloured shells that affix to your frontmost teeth and remain there on a semi-permanent basis. When you choose the higher-quality option of porcelain — as opposed to composite resin — veneers, you will need to replace them every 10 to 15 years. Similar to dental bridges, they also necessitate permanent alterations to your natural teeth.
For some, veneers are their ticket to a Hollywood smile. For others, the alterations and lifelong commitment feel too permanent. However, of all whitening options, veneers are the longest-lasting option. While the effects of whitening gel will fade after a few weeks or months, porcelain is a stain-resistant material that will remain white for as long as you wear your veneers.
So, Which Teeth-Whitening Solution Reigns Supreme?
When it comes down to in-chair teeth whitening versus take-home kits, most patients agree that the procedure is better. With a dental professional running the show, you can dial your smile up to 15 shades whiter in under an hour. With a teeth-whitening kit, it will take about three weeks of conscientious self-application to achieve the same outcome.
If you’re reluctant to fork out an extra few hundred, a teeth-whitening kit can be a great compromise. Alternatively, it can also be a great supplementary treatment to follow in-chair whitening. But ultimately, if you want fast and thorough results, a professional whitening procedure is the way to go.
Get Whiter Teeth at Stanley St. Dental
If you’ve been contemplating professional teeth whitening, Stanley St. Dental is a great place to get it done. Whether you want to get it done in-house or take home a teeth-whitening kit customised to your smile, we can take care of you. Come in for a consultation today, and we can get the ball rolling. A whiter, brighter smile is only a click away.