You’re determined to achieve the smile of your dreams, and a teeth whitening treatment seems to be your ticket for getting there. But as you sat down to take a look at your budget, you realized you have a very important question: how many treatment sessions will you need?
It’s true that some patients have exceptionally stubborn stains and require more than one whitening, but to know if you’ll be one of them, you’ll ultimately have to ask your dentist! Keep reading for more details.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Generally, an in-office teeth whitening treatment is the fastest way to whiten your dental pearls. Your dentist will show you to the patient’s chair, have you open wide, and then apply a special gel to your teeth. This is a safe dental bleaching agent that, when administered in-office, is potent enough to brighten your smile in as little time as one hour!
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
In contrast, a take-home teeth whitening kit takes several more “applications” before the process is considered complete. The kit contains a custom set of plastic trays, a gentler version of the bleaching gel, and detailed instructions for safely applying the gel to your trays. You’ll wear these trays for a few hours every day, and see your smile transformed in about two weeks.
Your Unique Smile
When researching teeth whitening timelines, you might see a lot of phrases that go something like “it depends on your unique smile.” This is simply another way of saying that not every patient has the same treatment experience. While most patients can lift their dental stains with just one round of teeth whitening, those with more severe yellowing may have to undergo multiple rounds to reach their desired shade. Consulting closely with your dentist can help you determine what you might need ahead of time.
Avoid Whitening Too Frequently
Another reason it’s important to talk to your dentist is that whitening your teeth too frequently can harm your oral health. You might develop dental sensitivity, for example, or severely weaken your enamel. These types of complications are more common with over-the-counter whitening products, but it’s still worth a word of warning!
Remember to ask your dentist about your teeth whitening options, and they’ll help you perfect your smile your way.
About the Author
Dr. Jay Lopez has advanced training in cosmetic treatments like teeth whitening and is even one of the few dentists in Tucson who is proficient with Digital Smile Design. He makes it a point to give patients plenty of time during appointments to ask questions and express their concerns. If you’d like to discuss your teeth whitening options, Dr. Lopez will make sure you get the one-on-one attention you deserve! To contact his office, call 520-886-8090.