Professionally whitening your teeth can instantly boost your smile and your confidence. With today's technology, your dentist can provide you with either at-home or in-office whitening solutions based on your lifestyle, preference, and budget.
Smoking, drinking coffee, tea, and red wine, and simply the aging process are all factors that can lead to discolored teeth. Because the enamel on your teeth is porous, stains can soak in deep within the surface making brushing and even professional cleaning ineffective at removing stains.
Regardless of the reason for your discolored teeth, they can be a source of embarrassment and can affect your self-confidence.
At-Home Whitening
The biggest advantage of at-home teeth whitening systems is that you have the freedom to do it at your convenience in the privacy of your own home. With whitening trays in, you can watch television, read a book, cook, or take a bubble bath. Things you can't do stuck in a dentist chair.
How it works: If you choose at-home whitening, your dentist will first make an impression of your teeth to create the trays that will fit in your mouth and hold the whitening solution against your teeth. This is usually done in a separate visit as the impressions must be sent away to have the custom trays created.
At your next visit, a hygienist will thoroughly clean your teeth. Removing surface stains is important to allow the whitening solution to soak into the enamel of the tooth. Your dentist will provide you with the trays, whitening solution, and instructions for how often and how long you should use them at home.
At home, you will add the whitening solution to the trays, insert the trays in your mouth, and allow the solution to work for the prescribed time. The whitening solution is typically composed of carbamide or hydrogen peroxide, which creates a chemical reaction below the surface of your tooth that eliminates stains.
In-Office Whitening
The biggest advantage of in-office whitening is that it's instantaneous. In just about an hour, your teeth can be up to ten shades whiter. You don't have to worry about messing with the trays and whitening solution multiple times at home.
How it works: The hygienist will first clean your teeth for the same reasons you'll need your teeth cleaned if you choose at-home whitening. Next, the dentist will apply a carbamide or hydrogen peroxide whitening gel to your teeth.
Here comes the difference. Typically, in-office whitening systems use a laser to amplify the whitening power, thus allowing you to brighten your teeth up to ten shades whiter in just one visit. The laser acts as a conductor for the whitening agent to penetrate the enamel faster, and enhances the whitening power of the solution below the surface of your teeth.
Other Considerations
Typically, in-office whitening is more expensive than at-home systems. Also, remember that dental work such as fillings, bridges, and crowns cannot be whitened.
Author Resource:-
Chris Harmen writes for City Dental, dentists in LA specializing in cosmetic and general dentistry with a commitment to the highest standards in patient care.
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