Teeth Whitening: In-house versus Take home trays?

[busy mom]

I would love opinions on having my dentist perform the whitening in his office vs. having him order the take home trays for me? The cost difference is $200, so I am trying to decide if it's worth it just to have him do it...

 

[Sleepy425]

We sell Venus Ultra in our office and I haven't found someone yet who isn't happy with their results. Which means that all the $$$ my new boss spent on Zoom equipment is going to waste. Sucks for him, but if the $45 kit is working I'm not pushing my patients to do the more expensive procedure that causes more sensitivity, takes more time in office with the patient in an uncomfortable position, and still requires take home trays.

 

[busy mom]

A friend had mediocre results with Venus Ultra.

I would love feedback from others that have gone the professional route (in office, or take home trays)!

 

[KarenAylwood]

I have the take home trays and so does my husband. We had both tried the strips and they didn't work well. I can't vouch for how good the in office treatment is but I loved the take home trays. I had an old coworker who did the in office treatment and tried the trays after I told her about mine and she's gone the tray route since. They made molds of our teeth and we got them back not long after. I can't remember the cost on them but they varied by a lot. I think mine was like $200 and his was $300 and I've heard of others being $500. Crazy. Then all you need to do is buy the gel which all dentists seem to sell (we moved and I got some more from our new dentist). I had awesome results with it before our wedding and continue to use it when I feel like I need it. Only about a few weeks out of each year. If you go that route keep your gel in the fridge- it will last longer. I've had success even a year after expiration.

 

[PHXscuba]

In-office bleaching is fast and a more powerful concentration of bleach, usually harnessing a light. That's why they can charge more, because you really can't get the same results as quickly. Occasionally people with very sensitive teeth can find the process painful.

Take-home trays take longer, at a lower concentration, but have the advantage of being less expensive and being able to "touch up" later with only buying the extra bleaching agent. Less effective for people who don't have the time to repeatedly apply the gel each night or want super-fast results. Or some with a hefty gag reflex (both making the tray impressions and using the trays and gel).

PHXscuba

 

[Nicholmom3]

The in office whitening can get the job done fast, but if you have sensitive teeth don't even think about it. The concentration is way higher.
In my professional opinion, the take home trays are a far better value. you can take time off for sensitivity, you keep the trays and can just buy refills for short money.
The most important thing to remember is that you really want to watch your diet while doing a bleaching regimen. I tell patients that anything that would stain a white t-shirt will thwart your results. Red wines, coffees, teas, blueberries...ect.
Also, I really like Arm & Hammer Truly Radiant toothpaste and whitening booster gel, for in between whitening touchups. Works very well.