We’re all striving for that perfect smile; some have it naturally. However, most of us have to put a little more work in to get the results. Having a smile that you’re proud of is a huge confidence booster – you’ll naturally feel more confident getting your pearly whites out if you know that they’re in good condition. Hence, it’s really important to do what you can to ensure that your smile is always on top. If, like so many, your teeth have been exposed to years of wear and tear that have left you with stained or discolored teeth. Your teeth might need a bit of TLC to get them back to their best – at Dental Excellence, a luxury dental center based in Liverpool, we offer some of the best tooth whitening solutions. These procedures are bespoke and tailored to your teeth, giving you excellent results while also saving you the hassle and potential complications that you might be left to deal with when opting for one of those all-too-convenient DIY tooth whitening kits. Below, you’ll be able to find all the information you might need regarding the difference between the two primary teeth whitening options: professional tooth whitening and DIY kits.
Price of DIY kits vs professional treatments
The first thing that people compare is the price difference between the two options, and at first glance, there is a stark difference – DIY kits are surprisingly cheap. In contrast, professional treatment can be quite a heavy financial outlay in the first instance. However, this isn’t the full story when it comes to pricing – there are many extra factors to consider which considerably change the outlook in terms of value. While the DIY kits may be cheaper to purchase upfront, you also need to use them far more often, meaning there’s an ever-growing cost associated with DIY kits. In contrast, the effects of professional procedures last far longer, meaning there are fewer recurring costs.
DIY kits also run a much higher risk of correctional work being needed after use, which can again incur high unnecessary costs in the long run, so think twice before choosing the “cheaper” option for tooth whitening.
Difference between materials
One of the major differences between over-the-counter tooth whitening kits and our professional treatments here at Dental Excellence is the ingredients used – the quality and safety of the ingredients used in DIY kits are often vague. They feature incomplete ingredient lists, so it’s hard to know what you’re using on your teeth. This degree of uncertainty is not worth the risk of something as important as your oral health, so you should always opt for the safer professional option. There are many documented cases of DIY kits causing permanent damage to the user’s teeth and mouth, leading to ongoing dental issues and high repair costs further down the line. This is because the active ingredient was not safe for oral use.
Professional tooth whitening takes this uncertainty out of the equation, instead offering a safe, trusted method using licensed ingredients that’ll have your teeth looking great without causing lasting damage. Our ingredients are designed for oral use, ensuring that they are safe for your teeth, unlike many DIY kits.
Dental kits are not customized for you
One of the most baffling features of DIY tooth whitening kits is the absurd one-size-fits-all trays design, which cannot accurately fit anyone in the world other than the person who was used for the original mold of the trays! This means that the fit will either be too tight, too loose or just not right for everyone else. In their attempt to fit everybody, DIY kits end up fitting nobody. When using a mold that doesn’t fit for teeth whitening, you may find an uneven spread of whitening gel across your teeth, resulting in patchy whitening that does not improve the overall appearance of your teeth. You may also experience pain and sensitivity as the whitening solution will inevitably get on your gums due to the ill-fitting tooth trays.
When choosing a more sophisticated whitening treatment with a professional dentist, your mold will be designed perfectly for your teeth, making the fit snug and comfortable. At the same time, the distribution of gel is evenly distributed. This is a smooth, consistent level of whitening across your mouth, eliminating awkward and unsightly patchiness. As part of your dental treatment, you’ll also be given a review after your whitening to ensure that you’ve reached the whitening level you desire and assess the overall health of your teeth and mouth. These checks allow us to ensure that you’re receiving the best quality treatment each time you visit the practice.
Result of professional teeth whitening vs DIY kits
The end goal of tooth whitening is always to achieve a more pleasing appearance for your teeth. Whether it’s years of wear and tear taking its toll or a recent development caused by a new food or drink, there are many reasons that you may be interested in investing in teeth whitening treatment. When it comes to your smile, we believe you shouldn’t have to settle for anything but perfection, which you’re never going to get when using a DIY whitening kit; as with anything else, you get what you pay for. This adage is also true for professional treatments – with our high standards of service, luxury surroundings, and best-in-class patient care, Dental Excellence ensures that you’re always seeing amazing value from your treatments. Our elite dental surgeons have a wealth of knowledge, experience, and education to ensure that you’re always being given the best treatment available, with our high-tech equipment allowing us to perform some of the most advanced procedures in dental practice with ease.
