Why a Tooth Whitening System?
Why do teeth become yellowed? This is due to the fact that individuals consume caffeine-containing drinks, smoke, become exposed to antibiotics, and just plain age. Teeth whitening is an effective path to reverse this process, and is so successful that 95% of persons undergoing the process do verify some improvement. Tooth whitening systems provide a wide spectrum of alternatives, ranging from economical whitening strips on the low end to costly but for the most part effective skilled dental whitening services. There is a large amount of of tooth whitening systems to be had today.
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 pivotal aspect of the bleaching process and is the rationale why tray based bleaching systems have been so successful. This is perhaps the most cost effective method of tooth whitening currently out there. Through 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. 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 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 utterly on your own. You must closely follow all the instructions. This procedure has been successful, but you should be careful. This technique 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 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 usually use a higher concentration of bleaching compound with a laser tooth whitening system like Britesmile® or Zoom® tooth whitening. With a laser whitening system, the precisely defined light frequency combined with a proprietary bleaching chemical produces especially amplified whitening effects.
A comparison of peroxide concentrations in tooth whitening
The following table will give the reader a broad understanding of the varying strengths of peroxides used in the different 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 make an attempt to summarize the relative effectiveness, costs, and benefits of the diverse 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 Main Approaches to Tooth Whitening
Notwithstanding the bewildering array of dentist and over the counter (OTC) products, there are in point of fact just 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
The secret to the best results in tooth whitening is the whitening agent delivery method. 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. There is not anything intrinsically superior or bad regarding any of these three basic techniques - each system can yield decent results. You simply can’t put a bleaching agent on your teeth without a good delivery procedure and expect it to work.
Whitening Strip Method
The next simplest tooth whitening approach is the whitening strip system. 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 technique. This explains the popularity of this system. However, 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 accomplish a good job of whitening the exterior tooth surfaces, but do a poor job of bleaching the teeth divisions and cracks. A dark division between whitened teeth may seem like a bad cavity. If you do not employ a tray-based tooth whitening system, you run the chance of experiencing 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, but with a lowered 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 unavailable with OTC products.
The ADA Seal of Acceptance
The ADA guideline for a whitener requires that it not become harmful to the soft tissues of the mouth or the teeth, and that a whitener can effectively whiten teeth. What we must know about the ADA seal of acceptance is that no OTC product has yet attained this coveted designation. There are differing degrees of worth to all these whitening systems. This is an area that the U.S. FDA doesn't become involved. At any rate, the American Dental Association (ADA) does set guidelines for tooth whitening products. Only particular tray-based dentist-dispensed products have the ADA Seal. In all the at-home tooth whiteners that have acquired the ADA Seal, the active ingredient is a 10% carbamide peroxide solution.
Tooth Whitening Toothpaste
The most simple tooth whitening technique is tooth whitening toothpaste (which is a mix of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda). If you just require some simple maintenance of prior tooth whitening, then this is the way to go. However, if the difficulty is more deep rooted, then other tooth whitening systems should be looked into.
Conclusion
Whatever tooth whitening system you prefer, always seek the advice of your dentist and follow carefully all instructions. Assess your situation. Only if you are looking for a little whitening of your teeth, then think about an OTC tooth whitening system. If you really want 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
tooth whitening system or in addition
cost of laser teeth whitening.
