Some people will
always feel more comfortable going to the dentist to get
their teeth whitened. This page
explores the pros and cons of going to a dentist versus
doing it yourself. It also discusses more about
how a dentist whitens teeth.Description
Dentists usually employ one of two teeth whitening
methods. First, most dentists use the custom mouth
tray/ peroxide gel treatment that we discuss on this
page. Second, some dentists now use a laser
treatment.
How it Works
These products work by bleaching your teeth with a
solution
of peroxide or one of its derivatives (carbamide or
hydrogen). The peroxide is broken down in your
mouth and then oxidizes (whitens) the stained particles
in your teeth that are responsible for discoloration.
The laser treatment works the same way except that
the gel is brushed on your teeth and then a
high-intensity light is beamed on the teeth. It
accomplishes the same thing but gives much quicker
results.
Effectiveness
Either one of the above two teeth whitening methods
is very effective in whitening teeth.
Advantages/Disadvantages
The main advantage of going to a dentist to get your
teeth whitened is the perceived comfort level of having
someone experienced guide you through the process.
You can get the same results with an at home kit, but
some people prefer the professional guidance.
Also, if you need you're teeth whitened in a hurry
(1-2 days or less), the new laser treatments will do
just that. All other teeth whitening methods
require a bit more time in order to show results.
The big disadvantage to going to a dentist is the
very high price you'll pay. Most dentists charge
in the neighborhood of $300-$1,000 for the full teeth
whitening process. That is 3 to 15 times more
expensive than many at home and custom teeth whitening
kits.
Another minor disadvantage of going to the dentist is
the inconvenience of having to make an appointment and
actually leave your home.
General Instructions
Your dentist will provide the instructions for
exactly what you'll need to do to get the results you
want..
Summary
Overall, going to a dentist should get you the
results you're after if you don't mind spending the
extra money. To some, having the guidance of a
professional is worth paying the extra 300-400%.
But for most people, the bottom line is that you now get dental quality results, at a fraction of the
cost, with at home products.
