At-home vs. In-office teeth whitening
1. Location: At-home teeth whitening is performed by the individual in the comfort of their own home, while in-office teeth whitening is conducted at a dental office or clinic by a dental professional.
2. Application: At-home teeth whitening typically involves using over-the-counter whitening kits or products, such as whitening strips, gels, or trays that the dentist provides. In contrast, in-office teeth whitening usually uses professional-grade bleaching agents and specialized equipment, such as laser or light-activated systems.
3. Strength of whitening agents: In-office teeth whitening procedures generally use higher concentrations of whitening agents compared to at-home kits. This allows for more rapid and significant results in a shorter period. At-home kits typically contain lower concentrations of bleaching agents to ensure safe and gradual teeth whitening.
4. Time commitment: At-home teeth whitening usually requires consistent use over a period of several days or weeks to achieve noticeable results. In-office teeth whitening treatments are typically completed in a single session, which can take about an hour or less, depending on the procedure.
6. Results: While both at-home and in-office teeth whitening can effectively lighten tooth discoloration, the speed and extent of results may vary. In-office treatments produce more immediate and dramatic results, whereas at-home kits offer a more gradual improvement over time.
