Weighing Your Options: At-Home vs. In-Office Teeth Whitening
Do you want white teeth like a movie star but years of drinking coffee, tea, or wine have dashed your dreams? Fortunately, bright pearly whites are still possible with professional teeth whitening courtesy of our Portage cosmetic dentist. At Courtside Dental, we offer two teeth whitening treatments, in-office and at-home, for patients looking to achieve sparkling results.
Here are the advantages of in-office and at-home teeth whitening so you can feel confident showing off your smile.
Is Teeth Whitening Right for You?
If you decide you would like to pursue a teeth whitening procedure, you will first need to be deemed a proper candidate. Our dentist will determine your candidacy with a quick oral examination of your teeth and gums. We’ll assess the level of sensitivity you experience, identifying the causes behind it, and determining whether your teeth are healthy enough for whitening. Overall, the goal is to ensure that any treatment will be appropriate without exacerbating your sensitivity.
During the evaluation, you can expect our cosmetic dentist to examine your enamel thickness, check for signs of gum recession, and look for any other factors contributing to your sensitivity, such as cavities or worn restorations.
Provided that all looks well, you will need to choose between take-home teeth whitening or in-office teeth whitening. Your decision will ultimately depend on your personal wants and needs.
Teeth Whitening At Home
Perhaps you are someone who would prefer to whiten your teeth in the comfort of your own home. If that is the case, we offer an easy and effective solution.
Advantages of at-home teeth whitening include:
- Can be completed at home
- Easy to follow steps
- Gradually whitens over a few weeks
- Professional-grade whitening gel safe to use at home
- Little to no sensitivity after completion
Should you choose the home version of treatment, we will first provide you with a set of that are custom-fitted to your mouth. A powerful gel formulated to whiten your teeth will also be given to you in addition to the trays.
You’ll need to apply the gel to the trays and leave them in for as long as directed. Be sure to use the trays as we’ve instructed and try to ensure the gel only makes contact with your teeth and not your gums as it can cause some irritation to occur.
Depending on your desired shade, our home teeth whitening may take a few weeks to complete. After treatment is finished, we can assess the results and you can decide if further whitening is needed.
In-Office Opalescence® Boost™ Teeth Whitening
For those nervous about messing up their results or fear they are too forgetful for , we recommend coming into our Portage, MI, dental office for the procedure.
Advantages of Opalescence Boost teeth whitening include:
- Fast results performed in the office
- No hot, uncomfortable LED lights needed
- Relatively quick procedure
- Chemically activated whitening gel
Boost is a safe, dental-grade teeth whitening system that can provide you with beautiful results in only two visits with us. First, our dentist will need to assess the current shade of your teeth.
A protective barrier will then be put on to prevent the teeth whitening gel from possibly irritating your gums. After that has been applied, Dr. Paul will put on the Boost chemically activated whitening gel with a gentle, brushed tip.
During your visit, the gel will be applied for about 20 minutes and you will start to see results in about an hour. Follow up treatment may be needed but we will be sure to discuss this with you.
Smile Brighter Today
You don’t have to settle for darker teeth stained by food and beverages. Our cosmetic dentist in Portage serving Greater Kalamazoo, MI, is here to help you feel more comfortable with your smile. Call Courtside Dental today at (269) 327-1011 to ask us about our teeth whitening options or request an appointment.
This blog post has been updated.