When you’re thinking about improving the look of your smile and boost your confidence, teeth whitening might be at the top of your list. With a myriad of home whitening kits or systems, it can be hard to decide whether over the counter or seeing a dental professional is the better choice. Whether you’re preparing for a big event or simply want to refresh your look, knowing the differences will help you decide what’s best for your smile and budget. Learn how professional vs OTC teeth whitening compare below.

Professional Vs OTC Teeth Whitening: A Quick Glance

When you want to get your teeth whiter, you have two options, which are explained below:

Professional whitening: This is considered a cosmetic service because it goes beyond basic cleaning to dramatically brighten your smile.
Over-the-counter (OTC) whitening: These products are readily available and typically use lower concentrations of whitening agents to achieve a more subtle change. They can be in the form of gels, strips, or trays that can be used at home.

How Do Professional VS. OTC Teeth Whitening Compare?

If you’re thinking about whitening your teeth, there are several aspects to consider with each option. Considering them carefully can help you make a better decision.

Strength Of Whitening Agents

One of the primary differences between professional and OTC options is the strength of whitening agents. Professional treatments often use high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. You can’t get that level of whitening with over-the-counter products because of the potential for misuse and harm if not applied by a professional. This allows for more dramatic and faster results when performed by a dental expert.

Speed And Results

Can you get results with whitening treatments done at home? Yes. However, you should have limited expectations because they generally contain a lower concentration of whitening agents, meaning the results will be less noticeable and take longer to appear. Professional whitening treatments can deliver significant brightening in just one or a few appointments with up to several shades whiter in just a single session.

Customization And Safety

It’s important to think about safety and customization when it comes to teeth whitening options. If you decide to use a kit at home, they are typically a “one size fits all” choice and people with increased tooth sensitivity might have issues using the product. Teeth whitening services by Dental Artistry can give you more Professional teeth whitening services that can be tweaked to fit exactly what you need. If you have sensitive teeth our team can adjust the whitening solution to get great results while still being comfortable. We make sure to protect your gums and soft tissues, which is something those at-home kits often miss.

Long-Term Value

When considering professional vs OTC teeth whitening options, it’s important to think about the return on investment. Can you get results with home teeth whitening options? Yes. However, you have to limit expectations. While OTC options might be a lower initial cost, the need for frequent reapplication can make them more expensive over time. Not having the experience using whitening strips can also give you limited results.

The Role of Our Dentist in Whitening

Our dental experts at Dental Artistry provide a key role in ensuring you get the expected outcome. The services you get far better than you would get with an over the counter product.

Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment: Before any whitening treatment, we assess your overall oral health to identify any underlying issues like cavities or gum sensitivity that could impact your services.
Customized Treatment Plans: Teeth whitening from a dentist can be tailored to meet your needs, depending on what outcome you want to achieve. We meet with every patient before to walk them through what to expect after the treatment.
Professional Application and Monitoring: During in-office treatments, we ensure the proper application of whitening solutions and monitor your progress to achieve the best results safely.

Teeth Whitening Options Available At Dental Artistry

Dental Artistry offers two advanced whitening treatments to suit your smile and lifestyle. The first is a premium system that uses a warming mouthpiece along with professional-grade gel to deliver noticeable improvements in under an hour. As a certified GLO Science dental practice, you have access to an advanced teeth whitening option as a great fit for anyone who wants to boost their smile. You can also choose our KöR Whitening Deep Bleaching System that can give you dramatic results in just one hour. A consultation with our dental team can help determine which choice is best for your needs.

Final Takeaway: Professionals Give You Better Results

When you compare professional vs OTC teeth whitening, the difference isn’t just how much you spend. It’s about the results you can get. If you’re after a transformative and reliable smile upgrade, professional whitening is the way to go. Your smile is worth more than a quick fix. Get in touch with Dental Artistry to get started!