Which Professional Whitening Procedure is Best for You?

The advantages and disadvantages of professional cosmetic teeth whitening methods and systems.

Professional Teeth Whitening Procedures are Effective and Convenient
While brushing teeth with chalk, bark, and baking soda was a viable teeth whitening option 200 years ago, advances in dentistry now allow us to comfortably and efficiently keep our teeth clean and white without having to put some strange concoction into our mouths. Now we can schedule an appointment with our dentist and after only a couple hours our teeth are white and gleaming. We can also take home prescription trays or over-the-counter white strips or toothpaste that also whitens satisfactorily. While it is aesthetically appealing to have whiter teeth, caution needs to be exercised when choosing the whitening procedure. Gritty or acidic substances are found in some over-the-counter whitening products and these may scratch off enamel or cause soreness to gums. It is best to consult with a dentist before grabbing the first white strips available, and if time is of the essence, then a professional whitening procedure may be the best option to get results fast.

Whitening Procedures

Common Professional Whitening Procedures
Many dentists’ offices now have not one, but several methods to use to whiten teeth depending on the situation. A client has the option of choosing a treatment which can whiten teeth dramatically over a few hours in a dentist chair or over a few weeks at home with a prescription tray. Dr. William Miller, a dentist in Dallas, Texas, explains how a usual teeth whitening session works. “When opting for an in-office cosmetic whitening procedure, usually the dentist will apply a gel to the patient’s teeth and then use a laser or light to activate the bleaching agent within the gel.” This technique and variations are used in systems like BriteSmile, Rembrandt Teeth Whitening. If an in-office whitening treatment is out of the question, then you can ask your dentist about receiving similar treatments at home, through the use of a personally fitted tray and gel (more powerful than any over-the-counter brands) that can be applied personally at home. Another professional procedure that creates a whiter smile is the practice of taking a thin layer of composite resin or porcelain material molded to the tooth and bonding them to the front of the tooth. This method covers stained or yellowed teeth, immediately giving the patient a “whiter” smile. This is not whitening the actual teeth, as there is no application of a bleaching agent to the enamel, only covering it up with an artificial material, but this is one of the most effective ways of giving a smile a cleaner and whiter look, and even helps to correct other flaws like chipped or crooked teeth that have been damaged due to normal wear or teeth grinding. Lumineers is a well-known name within this dental service, and offers porcelain veneers which, though costly, can last longer than ten years.

The Pros and Cons of Professional Teeth Whitening
Patients have concerns regarding the procedures, especially if they have sensitive teeth or gums. The benefits of getting a whitening treatment in a dentist’s office are that it accommodates sensitive teeth and gums, since the dentist is able to meticulously apply the gel to the patient’s teeth, making sure gums are protected and teeth are covered thoroughly, yet safely. Also the effect of the laser or light on the gel causes the bleaching agent to work more effectively, so results are seen immediately after the treatment. The benefits of an at-home treatment are the convenience and privacy, and while results won’t happen instantaneously, teeth will whiten an equivalent amount after a few days. Both in-office and at-home professional teeth whitening treatments can cause teeth and gums to be sensitive for a day or two after the procedure, but the result is teeth that can be 6-8 shades whiter.

The Deciding Factor When Requiring a Dental Procedure   

While there are many over the counter options for people who are limited financially, often it is best to choose the effective and safe option of using a professional procedure to whiten teeth. This allows a person to circumvent the hassle of checking ingredients on a box to make sure the whitening method won’t scratch the enamel on teeth or injure gums. “If there is interest in a teeth-bleaching brand for whatever reason, please consult your dentist’s office before use to make sure it is safe and won’t cause more harm than good,” advises Dr. Miller. And while there are decent box whitening methods available, they cannot produce the same results because they are not legally allowed to have the same concentration of bleaching agents in their whitening formula.

Dallas Dental Office News Update, By Dallas Texas Dentist, William H. Miller
Woodhill Medical Park, 8305 Walnut Hill Lane, Suite 235, Dallas, Texas, 75231
Phone: (214) 692-1050