In-office Teeth Whitening Vs Professional Teeth Whitening Trays

When it comes to whitening your teeth, you have a variety of different options. Whether you only need to whiten you teeth a little, or you need more intensive whitening, there are different methods of whitening you can consider. For professional teeth whitening, two of the main options are in-office whitening, and whitening at-home trays. Before discussing those options, though, let’s discuss why it is that you may want to whiten your teeth in the first place.

Why Teeth Whitening?

A great smile can help to boost confidence, improve mood and can even raise self-esteem. When a person is self-conscious about their teeth, though, they tend to smile less. This can actually lead to someone being less outgoing, and can even effect a person’s mood. Teeth whitening returns a person’s smile to them—allowing them to smile wide without fear of what their teeth look like. 

If you find that you hide your teeth behind your lips, or that you don’t like to smile at all due to the discoloration of your teeth, whitening may be for you. With whiter teeth, you can smile with confidence, and you no longer have to worry about the appearance of your teeth.

Professional Teeth Whitening

When it comes to whitening your teeth, you have a variety of options. If your teeth only need mild treatment, you may be able to take care of the whitening at home with whitening toothpaste or mouthwash. If you need more intensive treatment, though, professional whitening may be your best option. 

When it comes to professional whitening, there are two main options that your dentist will suggest—in-office whitening or at-home trays. Below are the two options, their benefits and their drawbacks:

In-office Whitening

In-office whitening has become popular over the years due to how quickly the procedure can be completed. With in-office whitening, patients will see a massive difference in the shade of their teeth in as little as one visit. The process is also very quick—often less than an hour. The major downside to laser whitening is the cost—which is often around $300-500 per treatment. 

Whitening Trays

Whitening trays are an excellent option for patients that would like brilliant, white teeth, but don’t want to spend the extra money. Having your teeth whitened using at-home trays and treatment will often cost around $250 per treatment, which is a significant savings. The main detractor for at-home treatment is how long it may take—which is often one week minimum. 

Speak with Your Dentist

If you are considering professional whitening, speak with your dentist about whether or not you are a good candidate, and which service would be right for you. During a consultation, they will check to see if your teeth are strong enough to handle a whitening procedure. If they are, you can discuss whether in-office treatments or at-home teeth whitening trays are the best options for your particular needs and budget. 

Renaissance Dental Center, in Raleigh NC, offers professional teeth whitening. Contact our office today to start your consult or schedule your services today.

If you're just interested in learning more about teeth whitening, here's some additional reading on some of the options that are available.