Info on whitener

Why a Tooth Whitening System?

Tooth whitening systems offer a wide spectrum of alternatives, ranging from low cost whitening strips on the low end to expensive but mostly effective specialized dental whitening services. There is a large amount of of tooth whitening systems obtainable currently. Why do teeth darken? This is because individuals consume caffeine-containing drinks, smoke, become exposed to antibiotics, and just plain age. Teeth whitening is an effective way to reverse this process, and is so successful that 95% of persons experiencing the process do verify some improvement.

The ADA Seal of Acceptance

The ADA guideline for a whitener requires that it not be bad to the soft tissues of the mouth or the teeth, and that a whitener can effectively whiten teeth. What a person must know about the ADA seal of acceptance is that no OTC product has as of yet attained this coveted designation. Only certain tray-based dentist-dispensed products have the ADA Seal. In all the at-home tooth whiteners that have obtained the ADA Seal, the active ingredient is a 10% carbamide peroxide solution. There are varying degrees of value to all these whitening systems. This is an area that the U.S. FDA doesn't get involved. Nonetheless, the American Dental Association (ADA) does set rules for tooth whitening products.

Tooth Whitening Toothpaste

The most basic tooth whitening method is tooth whitening toothpaste (which is a mix of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda). If you just desire some uncomplicated maintenance of prior tooth whitening, then this is the direction to go. However, if the problem is more deep rooted, then further tooth whitening systems should be looked into.

Three Main Approaches to Tooth Whitening

Despite the confusing array of dentist and over the counter (OTC) products, there are essentially just three (3) approaches to whitening one’s teeth:

• Dental in-office bleaching
• Self-applied night-time bleaching using a tailored tray or a polyethylene strip
• Individual directed whitening using OTC bleaching products

You simply can’t put a bleaching agent on your teeth without a fine delivery procedure and expect it to work. There is nothing intrinsically superior or bad regarding any of these three basic approaches - each approach should yield good outcomes. The key to the most ideal outcomes in tooth whitening is the whitening agent delivery system. In all the tooth whitening methods, the tooth bleaching gel is kept in place by a method of delivery. This is unquestionably fundamental to keep the gel in contact with the surface of the tooth.

Whitening Strip Method

Whitening strips can do a good job of whitening the exterior tooth surfaces, but achieve a poor job of bleaching the teeth divisions and cracks. A dark division between whitened teeth could appear similar to a bad cavity. If you don't utilize a tray-based tooth whitening system, you run the chance of possessing irregular or spotty possible results. The next simplest tooth whitening technique is the whitening strip technique. You place tooth bleaching tape on your front teeth. This tape is flexible, and contains the gel which bleaches the teeth. This is the most comfortable, least expensive, and easiest to employ tooth whitening system. This explains the popularity of this approach. Yet, often the outcomes aren't as superb as those results seen with the tray-based methods or in-office laser tooth whitening systems.

OTC tooth whitening products should in principle provide the identical tooth whitening effect as a visit to a dentist office, however with a lowered concentration of the peroxide (5% - 10%), and over a longer time period. This is partially true, but omits the reality that dentists utilize a laser tooth whitening system as well as bleach, something unavailable with OTC products.

Take Home Tray Whitening

As the bleaching tray is so custom fitted, this allows the bleaching gel to keep in contact with the teeth surface. In essence, this is the most pivotal aspect of the bleaching process and is the rationale why tray based bleaching systems have been so successful. This is maybe the most cost effective method of tooth whitening now available. With a take home tooth whitening tray system, which the patient can perform at home, the dentist makes an impression for a model of the patient’s teeth. Subsequently, a perfect fitting bleach tray is fitted from this impression. Lastly, a bleaching gel is prescribed by the dentist. At home, the bleaching gel is placed in the bleaching tray by the patient and the tray is then worn for one to two hours at home at a convenient time by the tooth whitening patient.

An OTC kit is similar to the take home whitening tray fitted at the dentist’s office, but in this case, you are completely on your own. You must carefully follow all the instructions. This method has been successful, but you should be cautious. This approach is not recommended by the ADA.

Dentist-supervised laser tooth whitening

With a procedure such as Zoom® tooth whitening, a special bright laser light is shone on the teeth whitening gel for an hour. Laser light energy creates energy which causes chemical reactions that cause the tooth whitening. A good number of people do a Zoom® tooth whitening once every six months. Compared to OTC products, dentists mostly use a higher concentration of bleaching compound with a laser tooth whitening system like Britesmile® or Zoom® tooth whitening. With a laser whitening process, the precisely defined light frequency combined with a proprietary bleaching chemical produces very enhanced whitening effects.

A comparison of peroxide concentrations in tooth whitening

The following table will provide the reader a broad understanding of the differing strengths of peroxides utilized in the several whitening systems.

Application	Agent	Professional/OTC	Concentration
In Office "power bleaching"	hydrogen peroxide carbamide peroxide	dentist dentist	15%-38% 35%
Night-time tray bleaching	carbamide peroxide hydrogen peroxide	dentist dentist	10%-22% 6-9.5%
whitening strips	hydrogen peroxide hydrogen peroxide	OTC dentist	5.3%-10% 6.5%-14%
paint on gels	carbamide peroxide hydrogen peroxide	OTC OTC	18% 19%

A comparison of all the tooth whitening systems

In the ensuing table, we try to summarize the relative effectiveness, costs, and benefits of the several tooth whitening systems.

Method	Effectiveness	Length of results	Treatment Duration	Side Effects	Tooth Type	Cost
Whitening strips	Whitens teeth slightly, might leave "lines"	1 year	7-14 days	Minimally sensitive teeth/gums	Slightly yellow teeth	$15
Brush on whitening gels	Somewhat better than regular toothpaste	Several weeks	7-14 days	Bad breath	Slightly yellow teeth	$3-$5
OTC gels	Improves with higher peroxide levels	1 year	1-3 weeks	Sensitive teeth/gums	Moderately yellow to dark teeth	$10
Bleaching done in dentist's office	Great for yellow teeth	3 yrs	1-2 mos.	Sensitive teeth/gums	Extremely dark teeth, which require professional evaluation	$300-$1000
Dentist supervised gel application	Great for yellow teeth	3 years	3-6 wks	Sensitive teeth/gums	Dark teeth, which needs a dentist-supervised evaluation	$300-$500
Crowns	Very effective for one tooth	10-15 years	1 month	feeling of tightness	Single tooth is decayed or broken	$600-$3000
Veneers	Very effective for just one tooth	10-15 years	3-4 weeks	feeling of tightness	Single tooth needs straightening	$500-$1200
Bonding	Very effective for just one tooth	5-10 years	1-2 weeks	Rare allergies	Single tooth needs minor reshaping	$300-$700

Conclusion

Whatever tooth whitening system you prefer, always seek the advice of your dentist and follow carefully all instructions. Evaluate your condition. Only if you are looking for a little whitening of your teeth, then contemplate an OTC tooth whitening system. Provided that you particularly wish a magnificent bright white smile, at that time your sole choice is a cosmetic dentist.

If you have a further interest in tooth whitening methods, you may also want to look into bleaching or in addition the best teeth whitening.