Info on brightsmile

Why a Tooth Whitening System?

Why do teeth become yellowed? This is due to the fact that people consume caffeine-containing drinks, smoke, become exposed to antibiotics, and just plain age. Teeth whitening is an effective technique to reverse this process, and is so successful that 95% of those experiencing the approach do confirm some improvement. Tooth whitening systems offer a wide spectrum of alternatives, ranging from low-priced whitening strips on the low end to costly but generally effective skilled dental whitening services. There is a good amount of of tooth whitening systems available currently.

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. Actually, this is the most vital 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 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. 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 subsequently 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 careful. This method 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 initiates chemical reactions that lead to the tooth whitening. A large number of people do a Zoom® tooth whitening once every six months. Compared to OTC products, dentists for the most part 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 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 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 attempt to summarize the relative effectiveness, prices, and advantages of the different 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 actually 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 administered whitening using OTC bleaching products

The key to the finest results 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 with out a doubt fundamental to keep the gel in contact with the surface of the tooth. There's not anything intrinsically superior or bad about any of these three basic techniques - each system can yield top notch outcomes. You clearly can’t put a bleaching agent on your teeth without a good delivery technique and expect it to work.

Whitening Strip Method

Whitening strips are able to do a nice 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 look similar to a bad cavity. If you don't use a tray-based tooth whitening system, you run the possibility of possessing irregular or spotty consequences. The next simplest tooth whitening system is the whitening strip approach. You place tooth bleaching tape on your front teeth. This tape is flexible, and contains the gel that bleaches the teeth. This is the most comfortable, least pricey, and easiest to use tooth whitening approach. This explains the popularity of this technique. However, frequently 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 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 employ a laser tooth whitening system as well as bleach, something not available with OTC products.

The ADA Seal of Acceptance

The ADA guideline for a whitener requires that it not turn out to be bad 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 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 varying levels of value 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.

Tooth Whitening Toothpaste

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

Conclusion

Whatever tooth whitening system you prefer, always seek the advice of your dentist and follow closely all instructions. Review your condition. Only if you are looking for a bit of whitening of your teeth, then contemplate an OTC tooth whitening system. If you really desire a great bright white smile, then your sole option is a cosmetic dentist.

If you have a further interest in tooth whitening methods, you may also want to look into teeth bleeching or in addition rapid white.