Home bleach or in-office Bleach? Which one should you go for?

Both chairside and home dental bleaching are considered safe and effective ways to whiten teeth when done under the supervision of a dentist. The choice between the two methods will depend on the individual case and the patient’s preference. The dentist will advise which method will be more appropriate after a thorough examination of the patient’s teeth and oral health.

The main difference

• Chairside dental bleaching

It is a procedure that is performed in the dental office by a dentist or dental hygienist. During this procedure, a protective barrier is placed over the gums to protect them from the bleaching gel. The gel is then applied to the teeth and activated by a special light or heat source. The procedure typically takes about one hour and can provide immediate results. The bleaching gel used in chairside dental bleaching is usually more concentrated than the gels used for home dental bleaching. The percentage of hydrogen peroxide in chairside dental bleaching products can range from 15% to 35%. These higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide are only used under the supervision of a dental professional, and the treatment is typically done in a dental office. The concentration used and the duration of the treatment will depend on the specific case, and will be determined by a dentist. It is important to follow the instructions provided by the dentist for the best results and safety. Therefore, it can provide a higher level of whitening in a shorter period of time.

• Home dental bleaching

Also known as at-home teeth whitening, involves using a customized tray that fits over the teeth and is filled with a bleaching gel. The tray is worn for a specific period of time each day, usually for a couple of weeks, until the desired level of whitening is achieved. The percentage of hydrogen peroxide in home dental bleaching products ranges from 3% to 10%. The results of home dental bleaching can take several days to a couple of weeks to become visible and the level of whitening may not be as significant as chairside bleaching.

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