Professional Teeth Whitening Vs. Home Whitening Treatments

Let’s face it, everyone wants whiter teeth, and it seems like everyone has their favorite teeth whitening method. With the newest trend in teeth whitening being Cosmetic Teeth Whitening Spas and Professionals. 

So how do these professional whitening spas and professionals compare to traditional at home whitening kits and strips? 

Professional and Home Whitening Defined

First let’s discover what we mean when we talk about professional teeth whitening.

Professional teeth whitening is a teeth whitening treatment that is performed by a professionally trained and certified cosmetic whitening pro or a trained dental professional. This type of whitening is typically more effective than home whitening and can produce dramatic results in a much shorter amount of time. Professional teeth whitening is also safer and more controlled, as the whitening professional will carefully monitor the process and use better protective equipment and gels.

Home teeth whitening, on the other hand, is a teeth whitening treatment that is performed at home using over-the-counter products (Usually a whitening kit or whitening strips.) This type of whitening is typically less expensive and less effective  than professional whitening but it does allow you to whiten your teeth on your own schedule without leaving your home.

Now that we are familiar with both professional and at home whitening treatments let’s explore some of the differences.

Price

There is a huge price difference between professional teeth whitening and at home whitening treatments when it comes to price.

Professional teeth whitening can be expensive with a 90 minute appointment costing you anywhere from $100-$250 depending on where you live and who is performing the treatment.

Here is a professional teeth whitening pricing example from an actual whitening professional in Idaho – Teeth Whitening Rexburg.

At home whitening solutions are usually moderately cheap with whitening kits starting at around $30 and strips costing you anywhere from $15-$45.

For some home whitening kits and their pricing you can click here to browse them on Amazon.

Effectiveness

What professional whitening lacks in price it makes up in effectiveness. Professional teeth whitening is usually much more effective and works in a much shorter amount of time (Usually from a single 90 minute treatment.) On average a professional treatment can yield a 4-9 higher shade difference than an at home whitening kit.

There are so many options when it comes to at home whitening treatments that it is hard to mash all of their effectiveness into one category. However, it is pretty safe to say that the same results do not come overnight like they do with professional teeth whitening.

Longevity

Professional teeth whitening treatments usually last about 6 months to a year, while an at home treatment can last forever… as long as you keep using the treatment.

However, using at home whitening treatments for an extended period of time is not good for your teeth and will likely cause dental issues and sensitivity that will make maintaining long-term results very difficult.

Conclusion

There are pros and cons to both professional teeth whitening and home teeth whitening. If you are considering teeth whitening, it is important to consult with a dentist or whitening professional to determine the best option for your individual needs. A dental professional can provide you with personalized recommendations and help you to achieve the best possible results.