Is dentist teeth whitening worth it?

If you opt to spend the extra money to visit your nearest dental office for professional teeth whitening, you should be aware of what you're getting...the results of teeth whitening done at home with custom-fit teeth whitening trays or in-office by a dental professional would be roughly the same. One can take longer, be less expensive, or necessitate more maintenance, but the constant in this equation is still the maximum whiteness your teeth can achieve.

Teeth Whitening by a Professional

As a rule, all DIY projects involve some level of danger, whether it's a health hazard or a reliability problem. Building a chair is riskier than buying one; cooking over an open flame is more difficult than ordering takeout; and, logically, teeth whitening at home is riskier than getting it done professionally.

This isn't to suggest it's ineffective if done correctly. However, if you plan to spend the extra money to visit a reputable teeth whitening center, you should be aware of what you're paying for.

Investing in a cleaning

Before you start whitening, the dentist can clean your teeth and gums of plaque and tartar, as well as fill in any cavities that need to be filled. They'll have to start with a blank slate in terms of teeth.

On the day of the treatment, they'll cover your gums with a rubber shield called "dental damns" and add the bleaching agent, which may be anything from 10-35 percent carbamide or hydrogen peroxide. The bleaching agent would then be wiped off after 10-45 minutes and reapplied to remove another "layer" of stain.

A higher peroxide concentration is used in professional teeth whitening.

In his or her office, your dentist can use a higher dose of carbamide or hydrogen peroxide than most at-home whiteners allow. For example, over-the-counter whitening strips contain only a small amount of peroxide, around 6%. The highest percentage that should be used is 10%. 22 percent is used in many gels for at-home trays. The most popular limit is 35 percent, which is what you'll find at the dentist's office.

The disadvantage of a 35% solution is that you can only keep it on your teeth for a certain period of time, usually less than an hour, and it has a higher potency for intense sensitivity afterward. That's why, rather than doing it yourself, it's better to hire a professional teeth whitening service.

But keep in mind that just because your dentist uses a stronger whitening gel doesn't mean your teeth will whiten. The gel's intensity simply determines how long it can be used and how easily the stains can be extracted. While a 10% peroxide paste can be left on for several hours, a 35% paste should not be left on for more than 60 minutes, but the end result would be the same.

What professionals do best

The obvious constant appointments and instant warning if something goes wrong or isn't working are the main benefits of remaining in the dentist's chair.

Teeth whitening has long been known to be effective, but gum irritation and tooth hypersensitivity are common side effects. It's safer to avoid very cold or hot foods after a treatment.

After the treatment, dental practitioners will frequently make a mold of your mouth and provide you with a custom-fitted whitening tray. Although three visits to the dentist over four to six weeks is typical, the effects won't last indefinitely. However, a dentist will tell you all about your teeth by doing the operation first and administering a peroxide percentage solution tailored to your teeth.

After all, trays last a lifetime, and “a combination of in-office and tray bleaching yields a better final outcome than a mere in-office treatment,” according to the report.

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