The Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening vs. OTC Home Whitening

Dr. Bhavik Bhakta
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You deserve to turn heads with a beautiful and bright smile. Dr. Bhavik Bhakta and the rest of the team at Sunshine Dental provide two distinct approaches to teeth whitening that are superior to over-the-counter products. Our professional teeth whitening can be done in our Corona, CA office, or you can use an at-home whitening kit for your convenience. Whatever you choose, you’ll find our whitening services are effective and give you long-lasting results.

Here’s a look at how professional teeth whitening service works better than an OTC option.

The general concept of professional teeth whitening

Professional teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure designed to brighten your smile by targeting two types of stains. The American Dental Association writes that a professional procedure targets the intrinsic stains that occur inside the tooth and extrinsic stains that are on the outside. Professional teeth whitening uses a peroxide-based solution that can correct both of these stains.

Carbamide peroxide produces a bleaching action, while hydrogen peroxide produces reactions that release stains from the enamel and dentin. The peroxides must be applied over the teeth without interfering with the gums or other tissues, as exposure to these compounds can trigger sensitivity and irritation in some patients.

During your appointment in Corona, CA, Dr. Bhakta prepares an in-office treatment that uses a whitening gel with a light system that quickly triggers the gel and releases peroxides that lighten your teeth.

Our at-home whitening trays and prescription-strength peroxide contains materials you can apply yourself. These methods are effective and use protective materials to ensure they will not contact your gums and trigger any discomfort.

What makes in-office whitening options better than OTC solutions?

The problem with OTC teeth whitening products is that they use a lower concentration of peroxides. Typically, these materials aren’t as effective in whitening your teeth as the prescription-strength items we use at Sunshine Dental. Many OTC whitening materials may also be more harmful to your teeth. Some products, such as whitening toothpaste, contain abrasive materials that can weaken extrinsic stains and can also be irritating to the enamel.

The timeline for using an OTC product may also take multiple weeks to get the desired results. An in-office procedure can take about a day to complete on average, while an at-home solution could take about 1 – 2 weeks to manage.

There’s also the concern that people may not know how to use some of these OTC materials. At Sunshine Dental, we can educate you on how to use the at-home system we provide, including how and when to apply the peroxide material for your teeth.

Get professional teeth whitening with an experienced dentist in Corona, CA

At Sunshine Dental, we believe in bright, shiny smiles for our patients in Corona, CA. We can check your smile and provide the solution you deserve. Dr. Bhavik Bhakta and the team at Sunshine Dental will review your smile and find the right plan for teeth whitening. Contact us to learn more about our dental services and to schedule an appointment.

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