In addition to having well-shaped and straight teeth, many people consider making teeth whiter and brighter as the next step toward creating a winning smile. If you’re keen on whitening your smile, then you may already be comparing the benefits of a home whitening kit versus a trip to the dentist.
Many locals prefer the in-chair teeth whitening Mornington dental practices have on offer. This post takes a quick look at how an in-chair session differs from an at-home kit. We also highlight the benefits that make an in-chair session the better option for prolonged oral health.
What is an In-Chair Teeth Whitening Session?
As the name suggests, an in-chair teeth whitening session involves cleaning and whitening your teeth at the dentist’s office. This cosmetic procedure is non-invasive and uses high-strength hydrogen peroxide gel activated by a specialised laser or light.
A huge drawcard to these treatments is that they provide instant and dramatic results. Patients can look forward to cleaner, whiter teeth where stain removal only takes between 60 and 90 minutes.
Here’s how the process works:
- Your dentist will examine your teeth and gums to ensure that they are healthy and strong enough for the procedure.
- A professional clean (often called polishing) is done to remove any plaque, as the whitening gel only works if it can bond to the enamel.
- Protective resin, commonly called “liquid dam,” is applied to the gum line and cured with light to protect the gums, lips, and cheeks from chemical burns caused by the bleach.
- Cheek retractors are inserted to keep lips and cheeks from touching the bleach.
- A highly concentrated, professional-grade whitening gel (usually hydrogen peroxide) is painted onto the surface of the teeth.
- A blue LED LIGHT is positioned over the teeth to activate the gel, which speeds up the breakdown of stain molecules.
- The gel is left on for about 20 minutes and then removed and reapplied t 3 to 4 times to effectively remove stains.
- Gel is removed, the protective barrier is removed, and the mouth is thoroughly rinsed.
Many Positives to Look Forward to
While you may think that at-home treatments are quicker and more convenient since they can be done in the comfort of your home, the reality is that in-chair options yield more lasting results. Keep reading as we share a few additional benefits.
1. Results are Immediate
The most prominent benefit of opting for an in-chair whitening session is that the results are not only instant but noticeable. More good news is that it only takes between 60 and 90 minutes for your teeth to be a few shades brighter. At-home kits can take as long as days or even a few weeks for noticeable differences to become evident.
2. Treatment is Customised
Since every person’s mouth is different with varying levels of oral hygiene, it stands to reason that all dental treatments should be tailored to suit your specific needs. This includes your teeth whitening treatment.
In-chair sessions involve your dentist assessing the level of staining and also giving you an option to choose the desired outcome. Your dentist can adjust the gel’s whitening strength to remove stains caused by smoking, coffee, or aging.
3. Professional Supervision
Opting to do your teeth whitening at home means you’re on your own. If you’re doing the treatment for the first time, you may be susceptible to uneven results or damage to your tooth enamel or gums.
A professional treatment ensures that you have a dentist or dental assistant supervising and performing the procedure. This means that there’s little risk of burning, sensitivity, or damage to your teeth or soft tissue. Having someone else apply the treatment means that the gel is applied to all the teeth. There’s no need for you to struggle to reach all your teeth evenly.
4. Results are Long Lasting
Using at-home whitening treatments offer short term results and needs to be applied more frequently. In-chair treatments are designed to provide deeper results that also last longer. The average in-chair treatments las between 6 and 12 months. At home treatments fade more quickly because the whitening gel solutions aren’t as strong.
5. Post Care Treatment
A professional treatment also means that you have access to advice for any other dental issues you may have. Part of the whitening session includes checking your mouth and addressing any issues. It’s also the perfect time to discuss any concerns you may have with your oral hygiene. Since the average treatment lasts about 6 months, it’s not uncommon to do the treatment as part of your bi-annual check-up.
Final Thoughts
In-chair teeth whitening offers significant benefits that make it the better choice for creating a whiter and brighter smile. Some of these include a quick process, instant results, and longer-lasting results.
With an in-chair whitening session, you also have the added advantage of having professional supervision, which reduces the likelihood of burns from the product. You also won’t have to wonder if the process is working. All you have to do is sit back and relax while your dentist does the rest!