Which Teeth Whitening Technique Is Best for You?
Many people have white teeth at the early stages of development. However, environmental and diet changes can lead to teeth discoloration. This dents some people's self-esteem, prompting them to seek practical techniques that can regain the brightness. Some of these procedures are effective and quick to administer either at home or in a dentist's clinic.
Most patients prefer getting the process handled by an expert. This is mainly due to its effectiveness and lasting results. In the article below, you will get expert analysis on some of these methods, including their benefits, maintenance tactics, and shortcomings.
Teeth Whitening Procedures: Home-based vs. Dentist?
Several factors play in determining whether to have the procedure in the comfort of your home or at the dentist’s office. These may include:
The depth of the coloration
How long you want the results to last
Your budget and schedule
If you opt for an in-office service, only one procedure is done to your teeth, and you are good to go in less than two hours. Different experts use different names for the procedure, with most people referring to it as In-chair or Zoom-in Dental services. There are also cheaper home-based options, though not as effective as a dentist's service. These include:
Customized Take-Home Trays
This process is less expensive compared to an in-chair procedure, but the results are not as long-lasting. With this procedure, you wear the customized trays in the upper and lower mouth and wait for the laser illumination to catalyze the reaction. The trays have a whitening gel with a lower peroxide concentration.
OTC Whitening Gels
Today, you can go to the nearest chemist and secure a reliable whitening gel attached to a laser. This procedure is highly affordable but doesn't produce results as efficient as the other two. You can expect a slight improvement of about five shades in your teeth’s whiteness.
Pros of Using Home-Based Techniques
Patients can get the products at their nearest chemist and apply according to their schedules.
Trays and gels are easy to administer and maintain whenever you see discoloration.
Cons
It takes a long time before results are seen, at times up to 15 days.
Home-based whitening has a shorter life span compared to dentist techniques.
In-Chair Dental Whitening Procedures
This procedure is straightforward and is done in less than two hours. In this technique, the dentist applies some whitening gel to your teeth. The gel is a combination of peroxide-based compounds which are known for their bleaching properties. The difference in the whitening potentials for each methodology differs according to the concentration of the peroxide compound.
With the in-chair procedure, dentists use a whitening gel of about 22% peroxide concentration. The gel is then activated using a specialized laser to ensure a maximum reaction, hence the lasting results. The gel then penetrates slowly to the enamel in the porous tooth, and gradually eliminates all the discoloring molecules from deep inside the teeth. This procedure can whiten your teeth by eight more shades.
Aftercare Requirements for the Procedure
After completing the procedure and getting your teeth to their ideal color, you need to follow some few other aftercare requirements to ascertain lasting results. For instance, within the first two weeks, you shouldn't eat certain foods.
Foods to Avoid While Teeth Whitening
Some food types are known to cause discoloration on the teeth, mainly due to their acidity level, natural pigmentation, and hue level. Some of the foods in this category include:
Coffee
Soft drinks
Tea
Balsamic vinegar
Tomato sauce
Dark juices
Sweets
Wine
However, if you must consume them, experts advise that you brush your teeth before half an hour lapses to help eliminate the stain before it sticks.
Additionally, you are subject to a few follow-up sessions as scheduled by the dentist to keep track of your progress. It is important to note that this procedure isn't permanent and is prone to interference by daily routines like smoking or diet.
Pros of In-Office Whitening
It gives you results instantly. It’s the fastest of all whitening procedures mainly due to the laser used to activate the bleaching agent.
It eases the identification of other underlying dental issues. As the dentist must analyze your teeth before administering the procedure, they can identify other problems with your dental health and recommend the right solution.
Cons
It is more expensive compared to at-home procedures.
The whitening is not permanent and can deteriorate within six months.
If you are seeking that sparkle within the shortest time and using the right tools, then the in-chair technique is the best for you. As detailed above, it can make your teeth eight shades lighter and lasts longer than home-based options.
Planning to start a teeth whitening procedure but don't know where to start? Worry not, because Blakeney Dental is here to help. Our team of teeth whitening experts can hold your hand through the journey. Contact us today and you will be referred to a specialist that can help you regain the sparkle of your teeth.