Choosing in Chair or Take Home Teeth Whitening

You might be considering choosing either a take-home teeth whitening kit or having a dentist perform the in-chair procedure. The results will depend on the treatment you choose. They also depend on the degree of dental staining you have. If you want to know which teeth whitening procedure you should get, here are the details.

The causes of dental discoloration

Brown or yellow stains on teeth do not always come from a high sugar diet during childhood. These sweet foods and drinks may contribute, but other factors also add to the situation. Some of these causes are uncontrollable. Others can go through change. Below are reasons for developing dental discoloration:

• Consuming tobacco products can leave nicotine and tar on the surfaces of teeth. Nicotine may be colorless, but it turns yellowish when oxygen touches it. Tar leaves a dark stain on teeth.
• Staining drinks like red wine, coffee, and tea are major dental staining drinks. These products have chromogens that cling to the enamel.
• Age thins out the enamel layer of teeth. This event leads to the exposure of dentin, which is yellowish.
• Taking medications can also discolor teeth. Chemotherapy, antibiotics, and tetracycline are only a few of the staining medications.
• Dental trauma can also change the color of teeth. The body sends more dentin. This makes the tooth darker.

Comparing the two teeth whitening options

Teeth whitening is a way to improve the way teeth look. Deciding which one to get depends on the needs and preferences of the patient. A patient who does not have the time to go to the clinic for treatment can choose to get a take-home whitening kit. The results from this method may take some time to appear. A patient who can see a dentist for dental whitening will likely leave the clinic with dramatic results.

Formula strength

A take-home kit for teeth whitening takes time to deliver results. An individual might see a slight change after weeks of using the system. This often leaves users disappointed or unsatisfied with the results. In-office teeth whitening uses higher chemical strength. Dentists can increase the chemical strength while still maintaining the dental health of the patient.

Dentists use a stronger chemical or formula for in-chair teeth whitening. A lighting device inside the mouth activates the bleaching chemicals. This light is nothing like the one that comes with kits. A patient will get fast results from a dental clinic.

Does not hurt

The main concern with a take-home kit for teeth whitening is the harm it can give the skin. Often, people use these products as their first attempt to get rid of yellowing or stains. However, the only information they have is in the form of an insert. Without any knowledge of the chemicals or process, this can put an individual at risk.

In-chair teeth whitening is completely different. This is something done in a sterile and controlled environment. The dentist who performs the procedure has experience. If a patient has an adverse reaction, the dentist would know right away. This also allows them to choose the right chemical strength for each patient.

Frequency

The take-home kits that people buy include several applications. An individual must use the product more than once over several weeks. Even then, seldom do the kits make much of a difference. When using an in-home whitening product, a person must set time aside. For most, that makes this inconvenient.

As for in-chair teeth whitening, a patient only visits the dental clinic once. As mentioned, the dentist selects the appropriate formula and strength based on the patient’s needs. The procedure will take one sitting, even for someone with badly discolored teeth. In very little time, an individual sees a vast difference.

Protective equipment

As part of in-chair teeth whitening, a dentist uses all the necessary protective equipment. Not only does that apply to them but also to the patient. Some examples include safety goggles, gloves, and barriers that protect soft tissue inside the mouth. As expected, take-home kits do not come with any of these things.

Get the outcome you want from your teeth whitening treatment

Bringing home a kit for teeth whitening is easy. However, many people do not get the results they want right away. Visiting a dental clinic can transform the appearance of your teeth. An in-chair teeth whitening procedure is effective and quick. Take-home teeth whitening takes a longer time to work. Talking to your dentist about your choice of teeth whitening can help you prepare for it.

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