If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and seen an old or dark looking teeth smiling back at you, you know how important white, bright teeth are to your appearance. As cosmetic dentistry becomes more accessible and wide spread, more patients than ever are taking advantage of teeth whitening options to turn back the clock on their aging teeth. Teeth bleaching treatments can either be administered at home by the consumer or in the dentist’s office a dental professional. These two types of treatment are not created equal—the formulations, expected results, and treatment processes are different, respectively.

Professional whitening treatments are administered in our Longmont cosmetic dental office. These treatments are peroxide formulations to actually bleach dental enamel—drastically whitening the appearance of teeth. Professional whitening treatments are:

• More effective than over the counter products because the whitening formulation contains a greater concentration of whitening agent.
• Faster than over the counter products—most patients see significant results in just one or two visits.
• More predictable than over the counter products. Working with a dental professional, you can better control the level and quality of whitening achieved.

Home whitening treatments, on the other hand are:

• Less expensive than professional whitening treatments, because they are less effective and take weeks or even months to achieve full results.
• More of a risk, because you cannot closely control the process you may end up with uneven enamel whitening, dental sensitivity, or gum irritation.

Before embarking on cosmetic whitening, it’s important to consult with a dental professional to ensure optimal results. Professional whitening treatments allow you to better control your results, avoid sensitivity, and optimize bleaching to enhance your overall smile. If you’d like to speak to a Longmont cosmetic dentist about your teeth whitening options, give as a call at (303) 776-4229.