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Last Updated: July 29, 2010 |
Dentist or Do-It-Yourself
Choosing the right teeth whitening method for you
So you've decided that you definitely need to whiten your teeth. Now the question is simply how will you go about it. If you've done any investigating at all, you've already discovered that options abound. The purpose of this article is to break down the key factors for you so you can make the best informed decision.The first decision point is typically going to be whether you employ the services of a dentist or go with a do-it-yourself method. Let's examine the pros and cons of these two methods.
Cost
The key difference in these two methods will be cost. Obviously it will cost you quite a lot more to use the services of a dentist. The costs vary widely depending on location but are generally in the $500 - $1000 range. This is for the standard carbamide peroxide-based whitening system. Laser whitening is more expensive still, starting at $1000 and often much more expensive than this. What are you paying for? Well, the majority of the cost is your dentist's time, the manager who schedules your appointments, his receptionist, etc. Only a fraction of the cost is the actual whitening system itself.This is why if you go with an at-home solution you will pay only between $50 - $150, depending on how much of a change you are trying to affect. Of course, when you talk about "at-home" systems it is important to make the distinction between the professional tray and gel kits as opposed to the whitening strips sold by most retail toothpaste manufacturers. Since the latter are generally not as effective, we will only address the professional at-home systems such as NovaWhite or Teeth Whitening Express. Though these products use the same gel and trayes used by the dentists, the prices are very competitive. Since they are sold online, the cost is usually about 1/10th the cost of the same treatment from a dentist.
Reliability
Probably the main reason people go with a dentist rather than an at-home system is that they can feel more confident that the process is being handled properly. The dentist has done the procedure many times and can guide you along to make sure it's done right. Though the instructions for the at-home kits are quite clear and the process is not very technical, some people feel like the appearance of their teeth is important enough to warrant the extra expense.Speed
Another factor in the decision is how quickly you want to achieve your desired level of whiteness. Some people want their teeth white right away for an interview, a date, or an event where pictures will be taken. Other people prefer their teeth to lighten up more gradually. They don't want their friends and co-workers to notice that they've whitened their teeth.You will usually get your teeth whitened sooner if you go to a dentist. Dentists tend to be more aggressive about using higher concentrations of peroxide in the whitening gel. This partly because they are familiar with the process and know what to expect, but also because their time is costly. If they do it over multiple appointments the price would be prohibitive for many customers.
With at-home systems you generally use less concentrated gels over a longer period of time. Because you are doing it on your own time you can go at whatever pace is right for you. Many people do use the more aggressive whitening approach used by dentists, especially after testing the water with a couple of lighter treatments.
Comfort
Some people complain of discomfort to their teeth and gums from the whitening gel. The more concentrated the gel and the longer you apply it in a given session, the more likely you are to experience discomfort.It stands to reason then that more people will experience discomfort when going to the dentist since they are taking the faster, more aggressive approach. On the other hand, with a dentist you have someone to complain to about the discomfort. With an at-home system you are likely going to be advised to simply scale back on the treatments.
Summary
There is no "best" method for teeth whitening. Both dental visits and at-home processes are effective and usually result in delighted customers. The right approach for you depends on your budget, your ability to follow instructions, and your time frame.