People have always wanted to look better and feel better. However, people are concerned now more than ever with having brighter, whiter teeth. Hardly a day goes by when you don’t see a commercial on tv for either whitening toothpaste or strips. People spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year on products to get whiter teeth. There is a debate as to whether over the counter whitening products work as well as professional teeth whitening. And while many OTC products work well, they simply can’t match professional whitening. Not only does professional whitening work better, it works faster. It does cost more than OTC products, but you are paying for quality and longevity.

Why Get Professional Teeth Whitening in Greenville, SC?

What is professional teeth whitening? In general, all teeth whitening products perform the same function. They apply hydrogen peroxide to your teeth to bleach out stains and discoloration. A popular over the counter whitening system is Crest Whitestrips. The strips contain hydrogen peroxide. The strips adhere to your teeth and gums with a glycerin gel.

The level of hydrogen peroxide in these strips is really low. This is because the strips adhere to your gums. Your gums would get irritated if the level was any higher. This means it takes many, many applications for your teeth to whiten.

Professional teeth whitening works similarly. The difference is that the level of hydrogen peroxide is much higher. Because a dentist is performing the procedure, he can monitor the peroxide and the time it is kept on. Professional kits use a tray rather than adhesive strips. This keeps the product from getting on your gums. The tray is a very thin material that fits like a shell over your teeth.

These trays are custom made to your teeth by your dentist. A mold is taken of your teeth and the tray is crafted using this mold. Once the mold is tested for a good fit, the patient is sent home with their whitening kit. They are given clear-cut instructions on how to use the kit. Because the level of peroxide is so much higher, it will take fewer applications for you to see results.

The Benefits of Laser Teeth Whitening

If you don’t want the mess and trouble of the whitening trays, you can always opt for laser teeth whitening. The dentist will apply either hydrogen peroxide or a carbamide peroxide paste to your teeth. These are applied in much higher doses than any OTC product. He will then heat the paste up with either an argon or CO2 laser.

The laser heats up the oxygen molecules in the paste. This makes the teeth whiten much faster than the other methods. With trays, it usually takes days or weeks to get your teeth as white as you want them to be. With the laser, the same level of whitening can be accomplished in 2-4 short 30-minute sessions.

One of the downsides to laser teeth whitening is that you have to wait 10 days between sessions. Therefore, you do have to space it out a bit more than the trays. You also have to get annual maintenance which can become costly.

Is Whitening Considered Cosmetic Dentistry?

Teeth whitening is the most popular form of cosmetic dentistry. It is not a necessary dental procedure, but an elective one. It is not vital that you have your teeth whitened. You can decide when and how you want to get it done. You can opt for a few sessions of laser whitening or the more gradual tray whitening system.

Since it is considered cosmetic dentistry, it is likely not going to be covered by insurance. It is an investment in your appearance and self-confidence. It comes down to whether you want to pay extra money for a professional whitening versus over the counter remedies.

Contact Carl Burton, DMD, PA for Greenville, South Carolina Professional Teeth Whitening

If you are interested in having your teeth whitened, call Dr. H. Carl Burton Jr, DMD, DMD, PA in Greenville, SC. Dr. Burton is a professional dentist with experience in both laser whitening and trays. Dr. Burton undergoes continuing education to ensure that he stays on top of the latest trends in the medical field. He is accredited and has over 30 years’ experience. His specialties are restorative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and implant restorations.

Come explore the professional whitening options available to you in Greenville, South Carolina. Stop spending hundreds of dollars on short-term, slow acting OTC whitening products. Come see what cosmetic dentistry has to offer.