Professional Teeth Whitening vs. At-Home: Which is Best for Me?

Achieving white, radiant teeth can feel like an uphill task when it comes to reversing stains from everyday things like drinking coffee or red wine. Fortunately, you’ve got options when it comes to finding the whitening method that fits you best. Whether you want fast, professional results or some effective products to use on your own time, we offer great results at our multiple MI Smiles Dental offices.

Here’s what to know about picking the right teeth whitening method for you.

Laser Teeth Whitening: Pros and Cons

Laser technologies are an increasingly-popular option when it comes to cosmetic treatments. Although most people associate lasers with sci-fi and action movies, laser treatments can produce some amazing, professional-grade results. Our dentists perform laser teeth whitening with a quick and simple procedure that takes less than an hour or two.

There’s very little pain or discomfort associated with this treatment and it even produces instant results. This makes it a great option for big events where you need fast, effective results. Most patients only need one appointment to produce long-term results, making it a great investment.

If you’re concerned about tooth sensitivity afterwards, then our dentists can make sure you know what to expect. A majority of patients report no sensitivity or pain afterwards. We usually have free samples of toothpaste for sensitive teeth available upon request.

Laser teeth whitening is a great option for you if you’re looking for instant, noticeable results with one treatment. However, this procedure can be pricier than at-home methods and, because it’s a cosmetic procedure, it’s not usually covered under insurance.

At-Home Whitening: Dos and Don’ts

At-home whitening can be a great way to maintain your smile after an in-office treatment or to reverse daily stains. At MI Smiles Dental, we offer some excellent at-home treatments that have been shown to produce results with daily use. There are a lot of teeth whitening products out there, so it’s important to talk with our dentists about your best options and safest products.

It’s important to remember that some products and ingredients can be damaging to your enamel or produce uncomfortable sensitivity, so selecting the right ones should be a first step. Many of our patients achieve great results using custom-fitted, flexible teeth whitening trays and formulated gels rather than teeth whitening strips or charcoal products.

Although at-home treatments can take time to produce results, it can be a much more cost effective option than laser or professional treatments.

Which is Best for Me?

When looking at your options, it can be helpful to consider which factors are most important to you. Some of these should include cost and timeframe. If you want instant results, then professional treatments are your best option. If you’re okay with gradual results, then at-home methods can be effective with the right products.

In many cases, you can benefit from a combination of both teeth whitening methods. During a professional teeth whitening appointment, we can recommend the best at-home products so you can maintain your results and touch-up any stains that form over time.

Schedule a Consultation

Teeth whitening is a great way to renew your smile and boost your confidence during your best moments. If you’re interested, our dentists in Grand Rapids, Grand Haven, and Comstock Park, MI, can help you get started by discussing each option that we offer. Call one of our MI Smiles Dental locations today or fill out our online contact form.