Why Is in-Office Teeth Whitening Better Than the at-Home Version?
Cosmetic dentistry has increased by three hundred percent over the last 5 years. For the biggest increase, it’s been due to teeth whitening procedures and associated products. Over 75% of dentists believe teeth whitening will turn out the be the most common office procedure over the next year, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
There are three versions of teeth whitening available. The first of these are at home options including pens, strips, or trays. Along with the at home versions, individuals may whiten their teeth with certain foods. Celery, apples, and carrots have a natural scrubbing action which promotes teeth whitening. Beverages such as cola, tea, and red wine may promote staining.
Teeth whitening in an office is more expensive than home versions, but it is much more impressive. The teeth bleaching materials used for the in-home type can be irritating to the gums. This may be painful, irritable, or prohibit an individual from being able to perform the bleaching over and over. With the in-office whitening, the dentist places a dam to prevent the gel from causing the irritability to the soft tissues.
Procedures in the office use concentrations of bleach that are much higher than the at home version. As a result, they can give patients a whiter, brighter result quicker. The hydrogen peroxide percent concentration in the office version is upwards of 35%, whereas the home version is only 5 to 10%.
The teeth whitening home version takes weeks to months for best results. They need regular use for best effect. Office procedures, however, are performed in one setting which takes about 90 minutes. There are power whitening procedures available which combine bleaching gel with UV light that can decrease the procedure time substantially and make the results brighter.
With the office procedure, really difficult stains may be removed. It is tough to get rid of deep splotching at home, but in the office setting this may be possible. With the UV or laser lighting system, deep stains may be removed, and these could have actually extended past the surface tooth enamel.
The at-home strips can easily slide off of your teeth. With professional whitening, the fit of the trays is customized. This optimizes the contact of the bleaching gel to the teeth, providing a more complete surface area for better whitening along with a quicker result.
If the individual has a procedure in the office, it is important to keep your oral health intact. This means proper flossing, dental visits, and brushing.
Want to find out more about dentists Scottsdale, then visit Scottsdale Center for Dental Medicine’s site on how to choose the best dentist in Scottsdale for your needs.