Chairside teeth whitening has surged in popularity, offering patients a quick, effective way to brighten their smiles. However, the rise of different suppliers and techniques can be overwhelming for dental professionals who want to offer the best service. As a provider, you may be wondering whether you should send your clients home with take-home whitening products or book a follow-up whitening visit to ensure their results last. Let’s explore the evidence behind the most effective whitening strategies and discuss the best practices for ensuring stable, long-term results.
The Science Behind Chairside Whitening: A Jumpstart, Not a One-Stop Solution
Chairside whitening is an excellent starting point for patients looking to achieve a brighter smile quickly. It’s effective in removing stains, with many clients seeing an immediate boost in their tooth shade. However, studies show that for long-term, stable shade retention, chairside whitening alone isn’t enough.
In fact, continued use of take-home products is crucial for achieving the best possible whitening results and ensuring long-lasting outcomes. Evidence supports that to maintain and enhance the results of a chairside treatment, take-home extensions (trays, gels, pens) should be used in conjunction with the initial in-office session. Without this, clients risk losing their whitening benefits and seeing a return of their stains.
While chairside whitening can jumpstart the process, it’s the take-home products that help retain the whitened shade—particularly the coveted B1 shade—over time.
Why Aren’t All Providers Offering Take-Home Products?
With the rise of various whitening systems on the market, many providers find themselves navigating a sea of options, each claiming to deliver the best results. However, some are not offering take-home products, and some are even pushing for return visits instead of extended at-home care. Why is this the case?
The issue often stems from a lack of education on best practices from certain suppliers. Teeth whitening is an unregulated market, which means that not all suppliers prioritize evidence-based results. Many systems on the market are designed for quick results, often emphasizing a "fast and bright" outcome. Unfortunately, these products are sometimes too aggressive, leading to over-dehydrated teeth that may appear bright but lack the lasting quality of a properly maintained whitening.
These "false whites" can create a temporary illusion of a perfect smile, but the results will remineralize and fade over time. The client may either not voice their dissatisfaction or may ask for another visit when the results inevitably fade. As a result, some providers find themselves in a cycle of repeated visits, which may not align with the best long-term practices for their clients.
The Importance of Take-Home Whitening: Why It’s the Key to Lasting Results
Research consistently shows that the best long-term whitening results are achieved when patients combine chairside whitening with a take-home treatment.
Take-home whitening products—whether they’re custom trays, gels, or pens—allow clients to maintain their brighter smile over time by gradually enhancing and stabilizing the whitening process. The key advantage of take-home products is their ability to extend and fine-tune the results of the initial chairside treatment. With regular use, these products provide the additional care necessary to keep teeth white, prevent stains from reappearing, and maintain that bright, even smile.
So, why are some providers still pushing for repeat chairside visits after the initial session? The simple answer is profit. Many companies are built around high-volume sales models, where the focus is on pushing providers to use more product (in this case, more whitening gel) and bring clients back in for frequent visits. However, this approach doesn’t always result in the most effective or ethical care for the patient.
In contrast, providers focused on long-term client satisfaction should consider shifting their focus toward take-home whitening systems as a way to offer more personalized, sustainable whitening solutions that minimize the need for frequent return visits.
When Should Clients Come Back for a Follow-Up Whitening Session?
While the evidence points to the importance of take-home products, there are certain circumstances where a follow-up chairside whitening session is beneficial:
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Clients with very dark or heavily stained teeth – In these cases, the initial chairside whitening session is necessary to give a significant jump-start to the whitening process. Afterward, take-home products can help maintain the results.
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Clients seeking shade matching for anterior restorations – If your client is trying to achieve a very specific shade of white, especially to match dental restorations like crowns or veneers, multiple chairside visits might be required.
For most other clients, however, one chairside session is typically enough, with 6–12 months of retention and occasional touch-ups using take-home products. Take-home whitening products are crucial for keeping teeth bright without requiring frequent in-office visits.
Why Some Companies Push for Frequent Follow-Up Visits
Some whitening companies may emphasize repeat visits due to a focus on sales and product turnover. These companies often use lower-quality products that require frequent top-ups, keeping clients coming back for more sessions.
But teeth whitening isn’t a typical repeat service like other aesthetic treatments (e.g., Botox, facials), where clients return monthly or quarterly. For teeth whitening, successful providers recognize that the key is building a steady stream of new clients rather than relying on repeat visits from the same patients within short intervals.
By offering take-home options and emphasizing sustainable, evidence-based whitening practices, providers can ensure they meet their clients’ needs while also setting realistic expectations about the frequency of treatments.
Conclusion: The Path to Long-Term Whitening Success
If you’re serious about offering the best possible whitening service, it’s important to educate yourself on evidence-based best practices and work with a supplier that offers both effective chairside whitening and take-home products for long-term results. By combining the immediate effects of chairside whitening with the ongoing benefits of take-home extensions, you’ll be providing your clients with the most sustainable whitening experience possible.
At Fern Whitening Supplies, we’re committed to helping dental professionals achieve outstanding results. As North America’s leader in whitening supplies, we offer top-quality products that not only deliver immediate whitening but also maintain and enhance those results over time. Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive whitening solutions.