Teeth whitening is a great way to get the beautiful white smile you dream about, but you may be confused by the wide array of teeth whitening products and services available today. While you can find teeth whitening kits at your local drugstore or grocery store, professional teeth whitening is the way to go if you're looking for truly impressive results. There are two main types of professional teeth whitening offered by dentists today: the take-home whitening kit and the in-office whitening service. Which is best for you? Consider these questions:

How Fast Do You Want or Need Results?

If you're looking for the fastest possible results, in-office whitening (also known as "chairside whitening") in your dentist's office is the best choice. Your dentist will apply a special whitening gel with high-powered peroxide in it and then speed up the whitening process using a special lamp. Your gums and eyes are both protected during this process. In-office whitening shows results the same day -- in fact, when you leave the dentist's office, you'll have dramatically whiter teeth. 

With take home whitening kits, you'll need to wear whitening trays for around half an hour each day, although it may be longer based on your needs. Generally, you'll need to use take home whitening kits daily for at least a couple of weeks before you'll see results. If you're in a hurry, in office whitening is best.

Are You Willing to Put in Some Effort?

In-office whitening requires absolutely no effort from you, other than showing up to the appointment at the dentist's office. You'll usually be in and out in only an hour, and you won't have to deal with any aftercare in most cases. With the take-home whitening kits, you'll need to set aside the time to use your whitening trays each day. While it takes just a few minutes to put them in your mouth, some people feel that it's too time consuming. 

If you don't want to put in some effort, you might find in office whitening the better choice.

Are You on a Tight Budget or Willing to Spend More Money?

Budget constraints may play a role in your decision between in-office whitening and at-home teeth whitening. In-office whitening is more expensive than the type that you do at home -- often twice as much or more. However, many people are willing to pay the extra cost because it's convenient and fast.

Bottom Line? If you're on a tight budget, the take home whitening option is probably your best bet. 

Use the questions above along with the input of your dentist to help you decide which of the professional teeth whitening services will work best for you! For more information, contact a dental clinic, such as Steliotes Dental Spa.

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