If you are unhappy with the appearance of your smile because of dull, yellow or stained teeth, Storts Family Dentistry is a local dentist office that provides teeth whitening treatments. Your teeth will naturally darken as you age or can become stained due to various lifestyle habits such as coffee drinking or smoking. Professional teeth whitening is a popular and quick cosmetic dentistry treatment that can instantly whiten your smile and create a more youthful appearance. Storts Family Dentistry is currently offering teeth whitening in Madill and Ardmore, OK.
The Difference Between Professional Teeth Whitening and Store-Bought Whitening Products
Professional teeth whitening and store-bought whitening products are both popular methods people use to try to achieve a brighter smile. However, they differ significantly in terms of effectiveness, safety, and convenience. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences between the two:
Strength of Whitening Agents
- Professional Teeth Whitening: Since a dental professional is able to administer the treatment, they are able to use a higher concentration whitening agent. When our dentist administers the professional teeth whitening treatment, they use hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which can range from 15% to 43%. The higher concentration allows for more effective and faster results.
- Store-Bought Whitening Products: Over-the-counter whitening products, such as whitening strips, toothpaste, and gels, contain a much lower concentrations of whitening agents (usually around 3% to 10%). The lower concentration means it takes longer to see noticeable results, and some stubborn stains may never be removed.
Supervision and Customization
- Professional Teeth Whitening: We can customize your professional whitening treatment to meet your specific needs. This involves making custom trays to ensure even application of the whitening agent or being supervised during the entire process. When we supervise you during treatment, the dentist can adjust the treatment as needed to minimize sensitivity and achieve optimal results.
- Store-Bought Whitening Products: Store-bought products are generic and not tailored to individual dental needs. One-size-fits-all strips or trays might not cover all teeth evenly, leading to uneven whitening results. Without professional supervision, users may not use the products correctly, leading to issues like gum irritation, increased tooth sensitivity, or uneven results.
Effectiveness and Speed
- Professional Teeth Whitening: Professional treatments provide significant results after just one or two sessions. After a short period of time, it can lighten your teeth by several shades. The higher concentration of whitening agents ensures faster and more noticeable results.
- Store-Bought Whitening Products: Store bought products require consistent and prolonged use over weeks to months to achieve noticeable results. You may even have to buy and use the product more than you intended. Even with regular use, the results might not be as dramatic as those achieved through professional whitening.
Safety and Oral Health
- Professional Teeth Whitening: When performed by our qualified dentist, professional teeth whitening is generally safe. Your dentist can assess your oral health, address any existing dental issues, and use techniques to minimize sensitivity during the procedure.
- Store-Bought Whitening Products: While most store-bought products are safe for use, they can cause gum irritation or tooth sensitivity if you do not use them correctly. If you overuse or misuse them, it can lead to enamel damage and other dental problems.
Cost
- Professional Teeth Whitening: Professional teeth whitening treatments performed at a dental office will cost more. The cost varies based on whether you choose in-office whitening or at-home whitening.
- Store-Bought Whitening Products: A store bought whitening product will cost less than a professional treatment. They may be more affordable but will require repeated purchases for sustained results. This could potentially increase the overall cost over time.
Professional Teeth Whitening At Storts Family Dentistry in Madill and Ardmore, OK
Professional in-office teeth whitening: Storts Family Dentistry is also proud to offer professional teeth whitening in our three dental offices. In about one hour, we can whiten your teeth by up to eight shades. An in-office teeth whitening treatment is the perfect solution if you have an event coming up and need instant results. It is also the safest way to get a brighter smile since the whitening agent will be administered by a dental professional. We will cover your gums and lips to protect them from irritation before applying the professional-grade bleaching gel to your teeth. Then we will activate the gel with a special light. We will leave it on for 15 minutes. This process is repeated up to three times depending on your desired results. The entire treatment should take about one hour.
Whiten your teeth at home: Our local dentist office also offers take-home whitening kits, allowing you to get brighter teeth in just a few weeks from the comforts of your home. This easy treatment involves using custom trays and a bleaching agent that you will self-administer using specific directions given by your dentist. We will take dental impressions of your teeth and use them to fabricate your custom dental trays that will fit perfectly over your teeth, creating a tight seal. It will ensure that the bleaching agent is distributed evenly. Many people will notice whiter teeth in just a few days with consistent use.
Other Teeth Whitening Options
Storts Family Dentistry also offers several more permanent cosmetic options to whiten your teeth. For some patients, even professional tooth whitening fails to brighten their smile. There are certain types of stains that may not respond to certain medications that cause permanent staining. For these patients, we recommend other cosmetic dentistry treatments such as:
Contact Storts Family Dentistry to schedule an appointment for teeth whitening. You can reach us at (580) 260-3410 or request an appointment with us online. Our cosmetic services are available to Southern Oklahoma and all of the surrounding neighborhoods and cities, such as Ardmore, Marietta, Madill, Thackerville, Springer, Wilson, Mannsville, and Kingston.