Whitening your teeth professionaly can be done at home or in-office. While both methods provide visible results, they are quite different. Today, we'll be talking about the differences in these two methods, how they work, and the benefits of each.
At-home teeth whitening services include trays and gel that are provided to you by us here at the office. These trays are custom fitted to your teeth, then a special gel provided by us is applied to the tray which is then worn over the teeth.
With this method, you're able to whiten your teeth at home, but it takes longer than in-office whitening. You'll have to wear the trays once a day every day for one to two weeks to see results, so diligence is key. Usually, this is done at night. The results are visible, but your teeth won't get as white using trays as they will with an in-office visit. They also don't last as long. Typically, you'll have to repeat the process every couple of months to maintain your teeth.
In-office tooth whitening is more effective and lasts longer than using trays at home. As "the best dentist in Staten Island", we use the best methods, which is why we offer Zoom whitening services.
This in-office procedure can last for up to 6 months, which means, you'll only have to have it done twice a year. Using the Zoom process, we use a gel to block out the gums so they won't bleach or become irritated. Then we paint on Zoom hydrogen peroxide whitening gel and use it in conjunction with the Zoom light. This allows the peroxide to penetrate the teeth and lighten both surface stains and deeper stains. The gel remains on the teeth for about 15 minutes. So the entire procedure takes about 45 minutes.
That's really a matter of personal preference. We recommend Zoom for longer-lasting results and less aggravation, but some of our patients opt for at home trays. Both of these methods of whitening your teeth will work, one just requires more effort than the other. Our own Dr. Cipriano uses Zoom on himself to avoid having to deal with trays. He simply uses Zoom twice a year to maintain his teeth.
We pride ourselves on offering the best in family dental practice services in Staten Island, and that includes helping you keep your teeth as white as possible. We're happy to discuss both at home and in-office whitening with you if you're concerned with your teeth's whiteness and brightness. Give us a call, and we'll schedule a consultation to help you decide what approach is best for you.
