Why a Tooth Whitening System?
There is a plethora of tooth whitening systems accessible currently. Why do teeth become yellowed? This is because people consume caffeine-containing drinks, smoke, get exposed to antibiotics, and just plain get older. Teeth whitening is an effective way to reverse this process, and is so successful that 95% of those undergoing the system do show some improvement. Tooth whitening systems provide a wide spectrum of alternatives, ranging from inexpensive whitening strips on the low end to expensive but usually effective expert dental whitening services.
Take Home Tray Whitening
Due to the fact that the bleaching tray is so custom fitted, this allows the bleaching gel to remain in contact with the teeth surface. Actually, this is the most essential aspect of the bleaching process and is the explanation why tray based bleaching systems have been so successful. This is possibly the most cost effective method of tooth whitening currently on hand. With a take home tooth whitening tray technique, which the patient can perform at home, the dentist makes an impression for a model of the patient’s teeth. Then, 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 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 carefully follow all the instructions. This approach has been successful, but you should be cautious. This approach is not recommended by the ADA.
Dentist-supervised laser tooth whitening
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 initiates chemical reactions that trigger the tooth whitening. A good number of people do a Zoom® tooth whitening once every six months. Judged against to OTC products, dentists typically use a higher concentration of bleaching compound with a laser tooth whitening system like Britesmile® or Zoom® tooth whitening. With a laser whitening procedure, the exactly defined light frequency combined with a proprietary bleaching chemical produces remarkably enhanced whitening effects.
A comparison of peroxide concentrations in tooth whitening
The following table will give the reader a thorough understanding of the differing strengths of peroxides used in the diverse 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 attempt to summarize the relative effectiveness, expense, and advantages of the various 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 |
The ADA Seal of Acceptance
The ADA guideline for a whitener requires that it not turn out to be harmful to the soft tissues of the mouth or the teeth, and that a whitener can effectively whiten teeth. What one must know regarding the ADA seal of acceptance is that no OTC product has as of yet earned this coveted designation. Only particular 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 differing degrees of value to all these whitening systems. This is an area that the U.S. FDA doesn't get involved. Nevertheless, the American Dental Association (ADA) does set rules for tooth whitening products.
Tooth Whitening Toothpaste
The most simple tooth whitening system is tooth whitening toothpaste (which is a mix of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda). If you merely want some simple maintenance of prior tooth whitening, then this is the way to go. But, if the difficulty is more deep rooted, then more tooth whitening systems should be looked into.
Whitening Strip Method
The next simplest tooth whitening system 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 utilize tooth whitening method. This explains the popularity of this method. But then, frequently the possible results aren't as superb as those results seen with the tray-based methods or in-office laser tooth whitening systems. Whitening strips can do a fine 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 might seem similar to a bad cavity. If you do not employ a tray-based tooth whitening system, you run the possibility of having irregular or spotty results.
OTC tooth whitening products could in principle come up with 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 period of time. 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.
Three Primary Approaches to Tooth Whitening
Despite the bewildering array of dentist and over the counter (OTC) products, there are essentially 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 directed whitening using OTC bleaching products
There's not anything intrinsically good or bad about any of these three basic approaches - each approach could yield fine outcomes. The secret to the highest quality 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 procedure of delivery. This is absolutely fundamental to keep the gel in contact with the surface of the tooth. You simply can’t put a bleaching agent on your teeth without a decent delivery system and presume it to work.
Conclusion
Whatever tooth whitening system you prefer, always seek the advice of your dentist and follow carefully all instructions. Assess your situation. If you are looking for a small amount of whitening of your teeth, then think about an OTC tooth whitening system. Provided that you truly wish an excellent bright white smile, at that time your only choice is a cosmetic dentist.
If you have a further interest in tooth whitening methods, you may also want to look into
teeth whitening strip or in addition
whitening tooth.
