Will Invisalign Fix My Smile?
Walk into any pharmacy or beauty retailer and you will find products that promise a whiter, brighter smile. But how effective are these treatments, and how do they compare to professional whitening services?
The first thing to understand here is that there are different ways of whitening teeth, with some dentists using targeted lasers while others use a potent and carefully balanced bleaching solution. While laser treatments have their benefits, typically, a solution-based teeth whitening treatment is the most convenient for clients.
It also happens to be the treatment option most easily compared to DIY packages – which is where our comparison really begins.
Comparing Professional and DIY Equipment
A whitening toothpaste or even a whitening kit, as sold on a retail shelf, will typically contain a diluted amount of bleach, which has a limited impact on stains across the surface of the teeth.
But that’s where a DIY kit ends. Because of the risks involved in selling bleaching products, these DIY kits are capped at how much of the potent product they can include – meaning the results will always be limited.
Conversely, professional teeth whitening is conducted and carried out under the full guidance of a dentist, unlocking access to an efficient amount of active bleaching ingredients. This bleaching solution is prescribed to clients as part of a tailored moulding kit, using a mouth guard that fits over the teeth and exposes them directly to the bleaching solution for a period of time.
Here’s how it works…
How Professional Whitening Using a Bleaching Kit Works
The beauty of modern professional whitening is that it combines the performance and premium results of professional dental intervention with the convenience of a solution which, after your first consultation, can be largely facilitated at home.
The process starts with a consultation and discussion regarding the state of your teeth and your ideal results. A scan is then taken, which allows your dental practitioner to create a mould that perfectly fits the position and formation of your teeth.
This mould becomes the carrier of the whitening solution, which is provided to you in a take-home box kit. Applying the whitening solution to the mould means you can effortlessly ensure full coverage, with clients able to choose how and when they wear the mould: day or night, according to the specified timeline as recommended by your dentist.
The Impact on Results
Before we leave you to decide which whitening approach is right for you, it’s important to recognise the impact of different approaches on the results.
DIY whitening not only limits the results but also the longevity of those results. Conversely, professional whitening has a much longer lifespan – though clients will still need to consider their lifestyle, eating and drinking habits if they want to maximise the lasting impact of their brighter smile.
To discuss professional whitening with a team of dentists and to find out more about pricing and availability, get in touch with your local dentist today.
