1) The difference is in the percentage.
- Retail Stores: 3-10% vs. Dental Office: 25-40%
- In any store whether it is Walmart, Target, CVS, Sam's or Costco the percentage of active ingredients is often hard to find on packaging if it is even listed--these products usually contain 3-10% hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. ONLY dental professionals are able to offer whitening with a higher percentage of usually 25-40% of the hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.
2) We recommend an exam first and here's why.
- Crowns, veneers, fillings, dark staining, white spots on teeth all make a difference.
- If you have any of these restorations present in your mouth, they will not change with any whitening product. If you have tooth colored fillings on your front teeth you may whiten your teeth but not the filling, you will then either need the filling replaced to match the whitened shade, or discontinue whitening. The same is for crowns and veneers.
- Dark staining from medications or white spots on your teeth will either not change or the white spots will get whiter as well.
- For the above reasons it is good to have a recent exam with your dentist in the books. Also, you should never whiten if there are active caries/decay present.
3) Using a light...DOES NOT make a difference. Studies show it is all for show.
- I can't speak for other offices, but at Barden Family Dentistry we try to offer the best product at a reasonable price.
- The expense that comes with the "light" for in-office whitening has shown no added benefit. Studies say that it is perhaps the heat from the light which causes additional dehydration to the tooth. It gives the patient the illusion that they achieved better results when in fact, there is no difference at all, except in your pocketbook!
Thanks for reading. We are offering Christmas specials on whitening. They are great for stocking stuffers!
Please post any questions, comments or concerns!
Please post any questions, comments or concerns!
Deanna
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