Cobblestone Park Family Dental

In-Office Teeth Whitening vs. Take-home Trays: Which Is Right for You?

A woman receiving in-house whitening treatment at Cobblestone Dentistry instead of take-home whitening trays

Do you desire a whiter, more radiant smile? If so, there are several ways to achieve it. As you’re probably aware, there are a number of whitening and bleaching products available over the counter at drugstores, including whitening strips and take-home trays. You also have the option of whitening your teeth via an in-office teeth whitening treatment performed by a dentist.

Read on as Oklahoma City cosmetic dentists at Cobblestone Park Family Dental Drs. Cory and Jennifer Chambers discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each treatment option.

Take-Home Trays

Over-the-counter trays available at stores are usually “one size fits all.” This can make it difficult for the trays to stay in place during treatment. They may slip or leak, which in turn can irritate your gums and the soft tissues of your mouth. Another important factor to consider is that the bleaching agents used in over-the-counter whitening trays are generally less concentrated than the products used during in-office whitening treatments. As a result, it can take several weeks or even months for you to see noticeable results.

In-Office Teeth Whitening

In-office teeth whitening is the most common cosmetic dental procedure today, and for good reason. The treatment can break up stains and whiten teeth in as little as one hour. Depending on the specific system used, in-office whitening can lighten teeth up to 10 shades in just one appointment. If you’re prone to tooth sensitivity, the dentist can modify the concentration of the bleaching agent or use desensitizing agents to enhance your comfort. They can also take measures to prevent the bleaching agent from leaking and irritating the gums and soft tissues of the mouth.

A third option for beautiful, pearly whites is to combine the two techniques. Our dentists at Cobblestone Park Family Dental can perform an in-office treatment and send you home with customized whitening trays to “touch-up” your results in the convenience of your home whenever you’d like. The take-home trays provided by our team are designed to fit in your mouth for minimal slippage and leakage. The whitening gel used for these trays also has a much higher concentration of bleaching agent than those of over-the-counter whitening trays. This means much more noticeable results.

For more information about your teeth whitening options, please schedule a consultation with Cobblestone Park Family Dental. Contact our Oklahoma City office by calling (405) 603-8520 or emailing us today.