In-Office Professional Teeth Whitening vs. Take-Home Whitening Trays (2024)

Cosmetic Dentistry |6 min read

by Love Your Smile

In-Office Professional Teeth Whitening vs. Take-Home Whitening Trays (2)

Professional teeth whitening at the dentist is the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatment, but you may be considering in-office professional teeth whitening vs. take-home whitening trays.

Both are effective in whitening teeth, but the main difference comes down to the application method and the time required before you see results.

It’s no surprise that professional teeth whitening is so popular because it’s effective and inexpensive to improve a smile’s look drastically.

So, which is best for you?

Our team at Love Your Smile offers professional teeth whitening and will help you compare the two options.

What is the best teeth whitening?

The best teeth whitening method for you depends on your ideal shade, time, and budget.

A dentist will recommend the best teeth whitening option, depending on your needs.

The benefits of in-office whitening include:

  • Completed under a dentist’s supervision
  • Quick and takes about 1 hour
  • Has the ability to whiten teeth by several shades in 1 treatment

The benefits of take-home whitening trays include:

  • Can conveniently do it at home in private
  • Slowly whitens teeth and can perform touch-ups when needed
  • Costs less than an in-office professional whitening treatment

The downside to doing your whitening at home is the risk of gum and tooth sensitivity if the instructions aren’t followed correctly.

Fortunately, dentists clearly explain how to whiten teeth safely at home and make it easy with custom-made trays.

It’s important to note that DIY whitening isn’t as strong as in-office whitening, which is why it takes much longer to see the desired result.

Before starting any type of whitening treatment, you should make sure your teeth and gums are healthy and speak with your dentist to compare teeth whitening options.

Why professional teeth whitening?

Are you hiding your smile because it’s not as white as it used to be? Maybe you’ve tried whitening toothpastes, whitening pens, whitening strips. The list goes on…

Factors that affect the color of teeth are controllable and uncontrollable, so sometimes DIY teeth whitening isn’t enough.

Controllable factors that affect the color of teeth include food and drink that cause staining, dental hygiene, and smoking. At the same time, uncontrollable factors include age, injury, medication, and medical history.

As we get older, enamel wears, and teeth may appear duller and discolored.

But you deserve to shine bright with a whiter smile, and a professional teeth whitening may help you achieve this.

Professional teeth whitening by a dentist is safe, quick, and cost-effective.

It comes down to each patient.

The best way to whiten teeth depends on the individual case.

How in-office professional whitening is done:

First, you and the dentist agree on the desired shade of white for your teeth.

Then sit back and relax, and we get to work.

Your mouth and gums are protected, and the whitening gel is placed on the teeth. A light activates the whitening process, and the session takes about 1 hour.

In a single visit, you’ll get a more beautiful, white smile. This option is perfect for someone who has a wedding or big event coming up and needs a fast smile makeover.

It’s the most popular, most comfortable, and affordable cosmetic dentistry procedure.

Learn More About Professional Whitening

How to whiten teeth at home with take-home whitening trays:

In this option, the dentist provides a custom-made whitening kit with fitted trays and a bleaching solution for teeth whitening at home. Instructions are outlined to help you perform the treatment at your convenience.

Step one in getting take-home whitening trays is to schedule a consultation with your dentist and create impressions for the custom-fit whitening trays.

The trays are shaped to whiten teeth evenly and to limit any whitening solution exposure on sensitive areas like the inside of the mouth and gums.

Before whitening at home, you should brush and floss thoroughly. Be sure to rinse well.

When ready, use your whitening kit and follow the instructions to achieve whiter teeth. You’ll see results in just a few weeks.

Looking for the best teeth whitening options in Seattle?

If you’d like to improve your smile in time for a wedding or big event, then our team at Love Your Smile is ready to help you find the best teeth whitening method for your needs.

We offer Zoom!… opens in a new window to Philips website… teeth whitening in the office and custom kits to take home for touch-ups.

In addition to cosmetic dentistry, we offer a wide range of dental care – all under one roof for your convenience.

Send us a message

Tell us what you need.

Schedule your visit today:

  • Contact us online to schedule your appointment
  • Call us at 206-724-0188
  • Email us directly at info@loveyoursmile.dentist

Our services include:

  • Family Dentistry
  • Restorative Dentistry
  • Cosmetic Dentistry
  • Periodontics

Areas served include:

  • Downtown Seattle
  • Lake Union
  • Belltown

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In-Office Professional Teeth Whitening vs. Take-Home Whitening Trays (2024)

FAQs

In-Office Professional Teeth Whitening vs. Take-Home Whitening Trays? ›

Teeth Whitening trays are effective and convenient options for achieving a brighter smile. In-office whitening is efficient in making teeth whiter. Both procedures bring results. Understanding them well can help you decide which treatment is for you.

Does professional teeth whitening work better than at-home? ›

Professional teeth whitening uses a more effective process

This means that the hydrogen peroxide content of your at-home kit is very low, whether you are using toothpaste, liquid filled trays, or strips. Dr. Yalamanchili is able to use a stronger process in her office, typically approved for use by dentists only.

Is in-office or at-home whitening better? ›

In-office whiteners are much stronger than the other two alternatives because they have more peroxide in the solution. They can change the color of your teeth faster than at-home methods. The in-office whitening takes about an hour.

Is in clinic teeth whitening better than at-home? ›

That said, at-home whitening products have lower concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, meaning they may not offer the same degree of shade changes that you get from professional whiteners. Products like brush-on whiteners, strips or trays can be purchased online, at pharmacies and grocery stores, etc.

Is home teeth whitening as good as dentisting? ›

It's important to note that DIY whitening isn't as strong as in-office whitening, which is why it takes much longer to see the desired result. Before starting any type of whitening treatment, you should make sure your teeth and gums are healthy and speak with your dentist to compare teeth whitening options.

Is it worth it to get your teeth professionally whitened? ›

As a result, you may wonder if professional tooth whitening is worth the cost. Lots of patients are curious about in-office treatment and ask if it is really better than at-home options. The answer is a resounding yes. The most effective way to whiten teeth is with a professional in-office treatment.

What is the most effective teeth whitening method? ›

laser teeth whitening is the safest, quickest, and most effective option among the types of teeth-whitening treatments available. However, there are ultimately several ways to whiten teeth, and the most suitable option will depend on your timeline, budget, and priorities, as well as the nature of the discoloration.

Are whitening trays from dentists worth it? ›

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry endorses the use of custom-fit teeth whitening trays crafted by dentists as they really are that much safer than other options. There is no risk of tooth-whitening gel moving on out of trays that do not properly fit your mouth.

Do at-home teeth whitening trays work? ›

While teeth whitening trays are popular and can be effective, there are many other options available. Your best bet is to conduct some research, do some reading, and make an informed decision based on your personal whitening goals.

Is take home teeth whitening worth it? ›

Over-the-counter teeth whitening methods can be less effective, as they typically use lower concentrations of whitening agent and may not be as evenly applied. In addition, over-the-counter products often contain abrasive ingredients that can damage tooth enamel over time.

What is the least damaging way to whiten your teeth? ›

Baking Soda: As long as you are careful to brush gently, baking soda can eliminate stains from the surface of your teeth without damaging them. Whitening Strips: Whitening strips mold to the shape of your teeth to whiten them. Whitening strips are both safe and effective.

What whitens your teeth the most? ›

Seven Ways to Naturally Whiten Teeth
  • Eat Strawberries. One of the simplest ways to naturally whiten your teeth is just by eating strawberries. ...
  • Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables. ...
  • Brush After You Eat or Drink. ...
  • Rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
  • Apply Coconut Oil. ...
  • Brush Your Tongue. ...
  • Use Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide.

What is the difference between home and professional teeth whitening? ›

A: Professional Teeth Whitening treatments usually yield better, faster and longer lasting results than Home Teeth Whitening kits, can help reduce tooth sensitivity and irritation caused by Home Teeth Whitening kits, and are generally safer than Home teeth whitening kits as they are administered under the supervision ...

Is it better to whiten your teeth at the dentist or DIY? ›

Choosing a non-professional teeth whitening treatment can carry a higher risk of adverse effects, including damage to your teeth and gums, and even a worsening of your discoloration. By far, the safest and most effective option is to have your teeth professionally whitened by your dentist.

Do teeth get whiter after professional teeth whitening? ›

How white will my teeth get after in-office teeth whitening? After the 30-60 minutes treatment, your teeth whitening may vary: from 10 to 15 shades whiter, to 2 to 5 shades lighter.

Does professional teeth whitening last longer? ›

When done by a professional, it can last anywhere between 6 months to 3 years. In comparison: Over-the-counter whitening products may only last a few months. Professional teeth whitening is an investment in a brighter smile for longer.

Is professional teeth whitening better than whitening strips? ›

It's a common misconception that teeth whitening strips provide the same level of whitening as visiting a dentist to have your teeth professionally whitened, at a lower price point. Unfortunately, this isn't the case, and this is because of how each of the teeth whitening methods works and the ingredients they use.

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