If you’re hoping to brighten your smile, you don’t necessarily need to spend hours in a dental chair. Take-home teeth whitening kits can provide a convenient way to whiten your teeth from the comfort of your own home.

But not all whitening kits are created equal. Products purchased from a dentist can differ from store-bought whitening strips and kits in their ingredients, strength, application, and professional oversight. So, what’s the real difference between the two?