Which Teeth Whitening Option is Best: In-Office or at Home?

Posted by Maria Sokolina on February 27th, 2020

Having an attractive smile can do much more than simply improve your appearance. Our teeth directly affect the perception others have of us, so having a healthy, bright smile can help us achieve both personal and professional goals. This is the reason why many people choose to have their teeth whitened.

At Harmony Dental Arts, our team of dentists and oral care experts understands the importance of having white, healthy-looking teeth. Our team specializes in performing a variety of teeth whitening treatments in Clifton, including innovative laser treatments like ZOOM. Below, we’ll compare at-home teeth whitening methods to in-office techniques to help you make the best decision.

What is Teeth Whitening?

As the name suggests, teeth whitening procedures help eliminate stains and give your smile a pristine, healthy look. There are many teeth whitening alternatives out there, but they can all be categorized into in-office or at-home treatments.

Also known as DIY teeth whitening, at-home treatments are fundamentally different from in-office procedures so it’s important to know the difference in order to make an informed choice.

Comparing Professional and DIY Teeth Whitening

White, healthy teeth can bring an array of benefits that include an improvement in appearance, a boost in self-confidence, and a positive change in the way others see you. However, you need to choose an effective treatment option that produces long-term results. When comparing at-home and in-office teeth whitening, you should look at:

Costs
When comparing procedure prices, it’s important to look at the real cost for each treatment. At-home procedures may have lower up-front costs, but they need to be applied for a longer period of time and require regular touch-ups. In-office teeth whitening has a higher price tag, but the treatment time is usually shorter and the results last longer than DIY methods.

Convenience
Patients need to make an appointment and take time out of their day for an in-office appointment. These can be scheduled during lunch breaks, but many patients find this to be inconvenient. At-home treatments can be applied on the go, making them relatively convenient.

Efficiency
When it comes to efficiency and treatment turnaround, in-office treatments are far superior to at-home options. Whitening mouthwashes and similar at-home treatments produce a gradual effect, so it may take months to see visible results. In-office alternatives can yield whiter teeth after the first session, depending on the treatment you choose.

Safety
Whether you opt for at-home or in-office whitening, your biggest priority should always be keeping your gums, teeth, and other parts of your mouth safe. Even if instructions on DIY teeth whitening treatments are followed to the letter, there is still a risk of experiencing negative side-effects.

In-office whitening procedures are performed by a certified dental expert, so you can rest assured your teeth, gums, and other parts of your mouth will remain healthy.

Learn More About Teeth Whitening in Clifton, NJ

At Harmony Dental Arts, our team of oral care experts provides innovative teeth whitening services for patients in Clifton, NJ. We specialize in laser teeth whitening that helps eliminate coffee, tobacco, and other types of stains that are notoriously hard to remove.

If you want to learn more about our teeth whitening treatments in Clifton, NJ, contact us and book a consultation today.