Teeth whitening is an excellent way to achieve a brighter smile. While chairside treatments exist to whiten your teeth, many people prefer a kit that they can use in the convenience of their own home. There are two basic varieties of home-use kits to choose from.
Over-The-Counter Kits
OTC kits come with some kind of one-size-fits-all tray, and a peroxide-based whitening gel. A small amount of gel is placed into the tray, and then the tray is placed over your teeth. Though inexpensive compared to other treatment options, these kits are prone to causing gum irritation due to the gel coming into contact with the gums.
Professional Kits
If you opt for a professional kit, your dentist will make you a custom tray that fits the contours of your mouth, and will provide you with a professional quality gel. These gels are much stronger than OTC gels, so results are typically achieved sooner. The custom trays reduce the risk of gum irritation, since the gel is less likely to touch your gums while using a tray customized to fit your teeth. Though these kits are more expensive than OTC kits, most patients find the benefits provided by a stronger gel and a custom tray to be well worth the added cost.
All teeth whitening treatments, whether professional or OTC, should be used under the supervision of a dentist. For more information about your teeth whitening options, contact our
Beverly Hills teeth whitening expert today.