Over-the-counter versus Dentist Supervised Teeth Whitening

Teeth Whitening is one of the most popular procedures in cosmetic dentistry. It is one of the safest and most non-invasive ways of achieving a sparkling smile. A number of teeth whitening Calgary treatment options are available to patients. These include over-the-counter whitening strips, toothpastes, whitening kits and professional teeth whitening procedures. Each patient has different needs and may opt for a procedure which addresses those needs in the most optimal way.



Teeth whitening solutions usually include hydrogen peroxide as a key bleaching agent to help clean the teeth. In the case of over-the-counter kits, gels, toothpastes and strips, the peroxide concentration is comparatively weak to ensure patient safety. Therefore these products are fairly safe for use at home. However, it does not produce the best results because of the weak concentration of the bleaching agent. Therefore, many patients remain unsatisfied with the results of over-the-counter whitening solutions.



Dentist supervised teeth whitening Calgary can be classified into "at-home" and "in-office" procedures. Both types of procedures comprise of the dentist’s guidance, supervision and monitoring. Therefore, the dentist can afford to use stronger peroxide-based bleaching agent to make the treatment more effective. At-home procedures take a longer time but the final results are the same as in-office whitening. In-office procedures are faster because the dentist is in direct control of the situation. Therefore he can use the best possible concentration of peroxide and combine it with other options such as halogen light or laser beams to make the treatment more effective.



Another key difference is the use of mouth trays as a part of this procedure. Over-the-counter kits include standard sized trays that may not fit perfectly onto the patient’s teeth. However, in the case of dentist supervised teeth whitening Calgary procedure, customized trays are made. These will be a perfect fit for the patient’s teeth. This ensures that the bleaching agent is retained completely inside the trays producing optimal results.



It also has to be noted that over-the-counter teeth whitening solutions are considerably cheaper than dentist supervised procedures. An over-the-counter treatment may be the best option if the patient is looking for a minor improvement to the color on a limited budget for this treatment. . Patients who are keen to make a significant improvement to the color of their teeth must consider in-office dentist-supervised teeth whitening Calgary solutions for the best results.



Sierra Centre for Family Dentistry and Teeth Whitening Calgary is a premier facility for a wide range of cosmetic and restorative dental treatments. Dr. Murray Knebel and his team offer personalized care to every patient. Dr. Knebel is a highly acclaimed dentist who is regularly featured in leading national and international dental publications. Find more at http://www.sierracentre.com/