Professional Teeth Whitening vs. Store-Bought Strips: What’s the Difference?

Walking down the toothpaste aisle, you’ll find many teeth whitening options that often promise you’ll have a red-carpet smile by the weekend. Tempting? Unfortunately, many of these over-the-counter products may not deliver the level of whitening you desire. And worse yet, they may cause sensitivity or gum irritation, especially when overused or misapplied. At Indigo Dentistry, we offer professional teeth whitening options to safely and effectively brighten your smile. Here’s a look at what sets professional whitening apart.

How Do Whitening Strips Work?

Whitening strips are thin, flexible bands coated with a small amount of peroxide gel. You press them onto your teeth, let them sit, then peel them off, usually once or twice a day for a week or two.

The trouble shows up in the fit. Whitening strips come in one shape and size, but no two smiles do. The result? The whitening agent often misses the spaces between your teeth and rarely reaches the back molars, so the results are often uneven. Over-the-counter formulas typically use lower peroxide concentrations than in-office systems because any product sold without a dentist’s oversight must be gentle enough for just about anyone to use.

What Are Your Professional Teeth Whitening Options

At Indigo Dentistry, we offer in-office and at-home whitening options, including the following:

In-Office Whitening: In-office whitening, also known as chairside bleaching, delivers superior results. Dr. Collier will start by applying a peroxide-based gel to your tooth surfaces, helping to break down deep-set stains and discoloration. We use high-quality whitening gel formulations to brighten your teeth by several shades in a single office visit.

Opalescence Go at-Home Whitening: Opalescence Go offers a modern, professional whitening option, without messy strips or the hassle of taking impressions for custom trays. Each kit uses prefilled, ready-to-wear trays loaded with professional-strength whitening gel, so you can brighten your smile on your schedule. The prefilled trays fit snugly over your teeth so the gel reaches the surfaces that strips tend to miss. You’ll simply wear your whitening tray for the time we recommend, usually anywhere from 15 to 90 minutes a day, depending on the formula. 

Because the gel is professional-strength and includes ingredients that help protect enamel, many patients see a noticeably brighter smile within days, often with little to no sensitivity. Your kit includes everything you need to whiten conveniently at home, along with easy-to-follow guidance from our team to ensure you enjoy the best and safest results. It’s also a simple way to maintain your sparkle and touch up your smile between visits.

What Sets Professional Whitening Apart?

The following are some of the reasons patients opt for professional teeth whitening over the store-bought strip options:

• Stronger, Safer Gels: We use professional-grade whitening agents that break down deep stains far more effectively than anything on a store shelf, all while protecting your gums during treatment.
• Faster, Dramatic Results: In-office whitening can brighten your teeth several shades in a single visit. No waiting for weeks to see whether the results meet your goals.
• Little to No Sensitivity: The professional-strength, enamel-friendly formula brightens your teeth without the zings and aches most people associate with whitening, so you stay comfortable from start to finish.
• A Custom, Professional Approach: Before any gel touches your enamel, Dr. Collier checks your teeth and gums, so your treatment is tailored to your smile rather than pulled off a shelf.
• Enamel-Friendly Formulas: Unlike some harsh over-the-counter products that can wear down enamel, our professional-grade gels are designed to safely brighten your teeth while keeping your teeth and gums healthy.
• Results That Last: Your take-home Opalescence Go kit lets you maintain that fresh sparkle between visits, so you can enjoy a beautifully bright smile far longer than with drugstore-bought options.

Is Professional Whitening Right for You?

Professional teeth whitening is ideal for most of our patients, especially those with yellowish teeth resulting from years of consuming dark foods and beverages or using tobacco products. However, whitening may not work as effectively for grayish or brownish staining and discoloration caused by trauma or certain medications, such as tetracycline. Moreover, professional whitening does not work on dental restorations, such as crowns or fillings.

If professional whitening is not the ideal solution for your smile, Dr. Collier may recommend an alternative cosmetic dentistry solution, such as porcelain veneers or dental crowns.

Professional Teeth Whitening Near Me in Cedar Hill, TX

Ready to unveil your brightest smile? Dr. Collier and her team at Indigo Dentistry offer safe, effective teeth whitening shaped around your goals, not a one-size-fits-all solution. We personalize every step of treatment to deliver a smile you love. Call us at (972) 779-0300 to schedule your appointment or request one online today!