In-Chair Teeth Whitening vs Take-Home Teeth Whitening: Which Is Best?

Hey Warragul, we hear you. When you’re looking to add some sparkle to your teeth you want to know which is best: in-chair teeth whitening or take-home teeth whitening.

The answer is…it depends what you’re after! If you need a quick boost to your smile, then in-chair teeth whitening will get your teeth whiter, quicker. Take-home whitening is a more gradual process that puts you in control of your teeth whitening and lets you gently dial up the whiteness.

Whichever you choose, the main thing is to find a qualified practitioner who can check the health of your teeth before a strong whitening gel is applied.

At Warragul Dental Care, we offer at-home teeth whitening, and a Platinum package, which combines in-chair teeth whitening with a take-home treatment pack for the ultimate bright, white smile. We use Pola Whitening (the same whitening used by Miss Universe) and as a fully qualified practice, you can be sure your teeth whitening is super-safe.

Before we dive into the difference between in-chair teeth whitening and take-home teeth whitening, let’s look at teeth whitening in more detail.

What Is Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening is a really simple cosmetic dentistry procedure where a whitening gel is applied to your teeth to lighten them and make them sparkle. The strength of the whitening gel can vary depending on where you go for treatment.

At Warragul Dental Care, we use a dental-grade whitening gel, which can only be used by qualified dental practitioners, to give you the ultimate, bright smile.

Can Teeth Whitening Damage My Teeth?

Yes, teeth whitening can damage your teeth and cause long-lasting damage if it’s not applied by an expert dental practitioner. Whitening gels can be very powerful and should only be applied to healthy teeth.

Teeth whitening products are widely available these days – you can order them off the internet and apply them at home (eep!) or visit a range of beauty clinics that offer teeth whitening.

Let’s be honest, anyone can apply teeth whitening.

However, only a qualified dental practitioner has the experience and expertise to check the health of your teeth before applying teeth whitening.

At Warragul Dental Care, we always book you in for a thorough check of your teeth and gums before teeth whitening – whether you choose in-chair or take-home.

We’ll be checking for issues such as:

• holes in your teeth
• active gum disease
• gum recession
• excess tooth wear
• pre-existing damage
• ulcers
• cold sores of your lips, cheeks and tongue
• whether you have resin or composite fillings on your front teeth (whitening won’t work on these)

All of these conditions have an impact on whether your smile is suitable for teeth whitening. If you have one or more of these conditions, teeth whitening can cause further damage to your teeth or gums, some of which can be irreversible.

The Difference Between Teeth Whitening at the Dentist and Take-Home Teeth Whitening

The biggest difference between teeth whitening at the Dentist and teeth whitening at home, is that you’ll get more instant bling with in-chair teeth whitening. By the time you leave, you can expect your teeth to be significantly whiter meaning you’ll be ready to hit the high spots of Warragul, Traralgon and Gippsland that night!

In-chair teeth whitening is perfect for a quick dial-up for a big day out, or when you need your dose of white ASAP.

The only downside to whitening in the dentist chair is that you’ll go straight from beige to bling in one appointment, which can increase the sensitivity of your teeth. You might want to avoid hot or cold drinks and food for a few days afterwards while your teeth settle down.

Teeth whitening at home is more of a gradual process. You can build up the whiteness over time and even choose how white you want to go by adjusting how many applications of whitening gel you use.

With at-home teeth whitening, you’ll experience less of a shock with tooth sensitivity as you’re building up the treatment over time rather than applying it all at once. Teeth whitening at home will still give a beautiful bright, white smile.

Before and after at-home Pola teeth whitening

How Long Does Teeth Whitening in the Chair Take?

Your teeth can be whitened in the chair in just one appointment. A reputable, qualified dental practice will check the health of your teeth before teeth whitening to make sure they’re healthy enough for the dental grade whitening gels, so you’ll often need more than one appointment.

At Warragul Dental Care, we offer a Platinum whitening package, which includes a cool combo of in-chair teeth whitening and take-home teeth whitening for the ultimate sparkle. And don’t forget, when you come in you can enjoy unlimited Netflix. The perfect chance to mix up your binge-watching with a side of bling.

Is It Better to Get Your Teeth Whitened at a Dentist or at Home?

That’s like asking who’s hotter: Ryan Reynolds or Chris Hemsworth? It all depends!

If you need quick results then in-chair teeth whitening will take you to the sparkliest white in a shorter space of time.

If you prefer to plan ahead, or don’t want to go super bright, then the at-home treatment may be a better choice. With at-home whitening treatment you get a little more control over your whitening and will have less tooth sensitivity. If you have naturally sensitive teeth, then at-home whitening with a lower power gel will be the better choice.

I’ve Had Teeth Whitening and Just Want a Little Top-up

If you’ve had teeth whitening and just need a little top-up, you might be interested in our Pola Light and Pola Pen.

They’re great for topping-up on the go or for a big night out. You can even pop on the Pola Pen as you apply your make-up and be ready to sparkle before you head out.

How Do I Book Teeth Whitening at Warragul Dental Care?

If you’re a new patient, we’ll book you in for a pre-appointment so we can check the health of your teeth. This is the same if you choose in-chair whitening or take-home whitening.

If you’ve chosen our Platinum whitening package, which includes in-chair whitening and take-home whitening, we’ll start by preparing your take-home whitening to apply from the comfort of your home. Then we’ll book you an appointment to apply the dental-grade whitening treatment in the chair while you kick back and watch Netflix.

If you prefer our easy peasy take-home whitening treatment, we’ll book an appointment to make your custom whitening trays (no messy moulds, we promise) then get your whitening package ready for you to take home. Just pop the Pola white aligners in at night and before you know it, you’ll be shining.

Call Warragul Dental Care + Dial up the Whiteness

Are you ready to shine? Let’s get white to it!

Now you know the difference between teeth whitening at the Dentist and teeth whitening at home, you can choose from one of our great teeth whitening packages and be assured that you’re getting a super-white smile that’s safe and sound.

Call our experienced team on 5623 5588 to get started today.