Teeth whitening products have been an economical option to whiten teeth at home for years. These over-the-counter applications may be a less expensive option than professional whitening treatment in a dentist’s office, but are they as effective? What are the benefits to having Dr. Tau, a Philadelphia dentist, administer teeth whitening instead of using the strips, gels, and pastes purchased at a pharmacy?
For more information about professional teeth whitening or to schedule a consultation, contact The Pennsylvania Center for Dental Excellence at (215) 969-4400.
Better Coverage
Teeth whitening strips are only designed to cover the front 6 teeth on the top and bottom arches. This leaves the molars (back teeth) untouched.
Trays purchased in over-the-counter kits are designed to fit everyone’s mouth. Therefore, you may find the trays too large or too small. A poorly fitted whitening tray can cause gum irritation, sores, and negatively affect the distribution of whitening gel, thus interfering with desired results
In a dentist’s office, impressions will create a custom fitted tray fabricated to your mouth. The perfect fit ensures that an equal amount of teeth whitening gel remains consistently in contact with each tooth. This regularity promotes uniformity and consistency in results.
Greater Efficiency
Over-the-counter teeth whitening kits may eventually brighten your tooth enamel, but results could take weeks or months and several applications to fully develop. In some cases, whitening efforts may not ever deliver what you’d hoped to achieve.
The whitening process Dr. Tau uses, KöR Whitening Deep Bleaching™ System, works overnight while you sleep. A few in-office treatments are required, and the rest can be done at home, using the prescription-grade product Dr. Tau will provide. If you maintain treatment as needed, the results can last indefinitely.
Ultimate Effectiveness
Purchasing a whitening kit at the store is a one-size-fits-all approach. The kits are typically made with a weak formula, which produces varied results that cannot compete with the more concentrated formulas a dentist can offer. As with most over-the-counter treatments and medications, a doctor-prescribed or monitored option simply has a higher level of potency.
Dr. Tau uses a whitening formula that is available only to dentists. This medical-grade formula can remove stronger, more stubborn stains that over-the-counter systems cannot effectively erase.
Safety and Comfort
Store-bought teeth whitening kits are relatively safe and rarely dangerous. In addition to displeasing results, some patients have complained of discomfort. This can be due to a number of issues but could be caused by the whitening agent coming in contact with the gums or lips. Trays and strips that are too big or too small can also cause discomfort along the gums and lips.
By creating trays from dental impressions for a custom fit, the whitening trays you receive from Dr. Tau will be comfortable and effective. KöR whitening results can be achieved overnight with little or no sensitivity. As a bonus, you can keep your custom-fitted trays and re-use them in the future!
Before beginning your treatment, Dr. Tau will conduct a full oral health evaluation to make sure your mouth is ready to undergo whitening treatment. He will also determine the cause of your dental stains and discuss with you how to reduce their recurrence. Are your stains due to drinking soda and red wine or smoking tobacco? Or is there another reason that your teeth appear gray or yellow? Once you know why your teeth discolored, you can take steps to keep them whiter in the future. Re-treatment with KöR is also an option, should your teeth begin to discolor, though the initial results should last quite some time. Your behaviors will have an impact on the longevity of results.
Schedule Your Teeth Whitening Appointment in Philadelphia Now
Having a beautiful smile is important to your self-image and how others perceive you. Teeth whitening has become one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures requested in dentist offices across the globe. Dr. Tau is an experienced Philadelphia dentist with years of training in cosmetic treatments. He will create a safe, effective treatment plan to help you achieve a brighter, healthier smile.
For more information about Dr. Tau or to schedule your teeth whitening consultation, contact The Pennsylvania Center for Dental Excellence. We look forward to serving you!