Why a Tooth Whitening System?
There is a large amount of of tooth whitening systems available today. Why do teeth darken? This is because individuals consume caffeine-containing drinks, smoke, get exposed to antibiotics, and just plain get older. Teeth whitening is an effective path to reverse this process, and is so successful that 95% of those undergoing the process do demonstrate some improvement. Tooth whitening systems offer a wide spectrum of alternatives, ranging from economical whitening strips on the low end to expensive but typically effective expert dental whitening services.
Take Home Tray Whitening
Due to the fact that the bleaching tray is so custom fitted, this permits the bleaching gel to stay in contact with the teeth surface. Actually, 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 possibly the most cost effective method of tooth whitening presently on hand. With a take home tooth whitening tray method, 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. Finally, 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 consequently 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 closely follow all the instructions. This procedure has been successful, but you must be cautious. This technique is not recommended by the ADA.
Dentist-supervised laser tooth whitening
Contrasted to OTC products, dentists generally use a higher concentration of bleaching compound with a laser tooth whitening system like Britesmile® or Zoom® tooth whitening. With a laser whitening technique, the exactly defined light frequency combined with a proprietary bleaching chemical produces remarkably amplified whitening effects. With a procedure like 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 lead to the tooth whitening. Most people do a Zoom® tooth whitening once every six months.
A comparison of peroxide concentrations in tooth whitening
The following table will provide the reader a thorough understanding of the differing strengths of peroxides utilized in the various 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 following table, we make an effort 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 |
Three Primary Approaches to Tooth Whitening
In spite of the bewildering array of dentist and over the counter (OTC) products, there are in point of fact simply three (3) approaches to whitening one’s teeth:
- Dental in-office bleaching
- Self-applied night-time bleaching using a custom-fitted tray or a polyethylene strip
- Individual administered whitening using OTC bleaching products
The secret to the most ideal results in tooth whitening is the whitening agent delivery technique. In all the tooth whitening methods, the tooth bleaching gel is kept in place by a procedure of delivery. This is absolutely needed to keep the gel in contact with the surface of the tooth. You just can’t put a bleaching agent on your teeth without a viable delivery technique and presume it to work. There's nothing intrinsically superior or deficient regarding any of these three basic approaches - each system could yield nice outcomes.
The ADA Seal of Acceptance
The ADA guideline for a whitener requires that it not be harmful to the soft tissues of the mouth or the teeth, and that a whitener can effectively whiten teeth. What a person should know regarding the ADA seal of acceptance is that no OTC product has as of yet earned this coveted designation. There are varying degrees of worth 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 guidelines for tooth whitening products. Only a small amount of tray-based dentist-dispensed products have the ADA Seal. In all the at-home tooth whiteners which have acquired the ADA Seal, the active ingredient is a 10% carbamide peroxide solution.
Tooth Whitening Toothpaste
The most uncomplicated tooth whitening technique is tooth whitening toothpaste (which is a mix of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda). If you just want some uncomplicated maintenance of prior tooth whitening, then this is the way to go. However, if the difficulty is more deep rooted, then more tooth whitening systems should be looked into.
Whitening Strip Method
Whitening strips can accomplish 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 may appear similar to a bad cavity. If you don't use a tray-based tooth whitening system, you run the risk of dealing with irregular or spotty consequences. The next simplest tooth whitening technique is the whitening strip procedure. 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 costly, and easiest to use tooth whitening approach. This explains the popularity of this system. Yet, often the outcomes aren't as nice 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 lessened concentration of the peroxide (5% - 10%), and over a longer time period. This is partially true, but omits the fact that dentists utilize a laser tooth whitening system as well as bleach, something not available with OTC products.
Conclusion
Whatever tooth whitening system you prefer, always seek the advice of your dentist and follow carefully all instructions. Analyze your condition. If you are looking for a little whitening of your teeth, then think about an OTC tooth whitening system. If you particularly seek a superb bright white smile, at that time your sole choice is a cosmetic dentist.
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