There are many debates about whether take-home teeth whitening kits are just as effective as visiting a dentist for an in-office teeth whitening session. If you're weighing the advantages and disadvantages of visiting the dentist to improve the brilliance of your smile, here are the pros and cons to consider.

PRO

Better Results

One of the major reasons to consider getting your teeth whitened at the dentist through an in-office treatment is to achieve better results. Although take-home whitening kits will achieve some results, the solutions used in the take-home kits aren't as potent as the hydrogen peroxide solutions used by your dentist. Your dentist may also use cutting-edge laser whitening methods that are also much more effective than take-home kits. As a result, your in-office whitening session will result in teeth that are several shades whiter than take-home kits.

Longer-Lasting

Another advantage of professional whitening is longer-lasting results. On average, take-home kits can be expected to last about 6 months while professional whitening is estimated to last between 1 to 3 years. If you want your teeth to look better for a longer period of time, professional whitening at the dentist is the optimal choice.

Expertise

Another major reason to opt for in-office whitening is to have access to the expertise of your dentist. He or she will have the knowledge and training to use higher-potency whitening solutions in a safe and effective manner to help avoid tooth sensitivity.

Faster

Another excellent reason to opt for an in-office whitening treatment at your dentist is to accomplish your teeth whitening goals much faster. This is especially true if you choose laser whitening. The laser process takes only 30-60 minutes compared to a process of several days for at-home kits.

CONS

Tooth Sensitivity

One possible side effect of any teeth whitening treatment whether in-office or take-home is tooth sensitivity. Any treatment you undertake, whether hydrogen peroxide solutions or laser treatments, has the potential to produce this side effect, especially if you are already prone to tooth sensitivity.

Scheduling

An obvious disadvantage of choosing in-office whitening at your dentist instead of using an at-home kit is that it will require scheduling with the dentist and that can require some juggling of family timelines, whereas a take-home kit can be used any time. However, some find in-office treatments easier to accomplish as opposed to buying a take-home kit and forgetting to use it. 

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