A white, attractive smile isn’t just a confidence booster; it can be downright valuable. As a result, lots of people are interested in acquiring this asset. That’s why the market for at-home teeth whitening products is booming like never before. When the drug store shelves are flooded with products that promise to whiten your teeth, why consider going to the dentist for minneapolis professional office teeth whitening? Of course, professional dental experts are interested in professional teeth whitening. But we firmly believe the whitening services we offer are worth it. Here’s why:
Teeth Whitening: The Basic Options
You have three options for teeth whitening: over-the-counter whitening products for use at home, at-home products prescribed by your dentist, and professional treatments performed in your dentist’s office. This last option is the one that tends to deliver the best results.
Professional Whitening Gives Consistent Results
People who want white teeth want consistent overall improvement, not patchy results. Sadly, spotty, uneven results are common with at-home teeth whitening products. Dentists can carefully assess your teeth before starting a professional whitening treatment, looking for areas that may need more or less attention. They have many techniques available to give you the consistent outcome you’re looking for. One primary example: Fillings and other dental additions often whiten differently than natural teeth. Your dentist can modify your treatment so that everything reaches the same shade of white.
Professional Treatment Means Safety
Teeth are more complex than you might think! Each one is built up out of multiple layers, and each has an essential job in keeping your teeth healthy. Teeth whitening aims to change the shade of the outermost enamel layer. However, depending on the safety of their ingredients, over-the-counter whitening products may damage your enamel and even harm the layers beneath.
Even relatively benign products like whitening strips can be harmful, remarkably, if you don’t follow the instructions to the letter. Research has shown that the ingredients in most whitening strips are quite capable of breaking down the collagen proteins in the sub-enamel layers of your teeth. Dentists deliver teeth whitening treatments using only products and procedures that have been exhaustively tested for safety and appropriateness. When you entrust your teeth whitening to a professional, you minimize the risk of causing tooth damage.
Professional Teeth Whitening Is Fast
Home teeth whitening can take a long time. Most over-the-counter products are designed to work gradually, requiring multiple applications. The finished results waiting at the end of this long process might be less impressive. On the other hand, depending on the type of treatment that suits your needs, your dentist may be able to deliver dramatic results in a single two-hour visit. Just think: You can drop into your dentist’s office unsatisfied with your smile and walk out just a few hours later looking and feeling more confident! The speed with which professional teeth whitening works means that it’s appealing to patients who are looking for fast whitening before a special occasion.
Professional Results Are More Durable
The results of a professional teeth whitening treatment tend to last for an entire year, if not longer. The treatments and techniques your dentist uses break down tooth stains far more thoroughly than over-the-counter products. This translates into longer-lasting results. Your dentist can also supplement in-office whitening treatments with touch-up products that you can use to preserve your results as long as possible.