Info on teeth brightening

Why a Tooth Whitening System?

There is a good amount of of tooth whitening systems accessible today. Why do teeth become yellowed? This is because people consume caffeine-containing drinks, smoke, become 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 going through the procedure do confirm some improvement. Tooth whitening systems offer a wide spectrum of alternatives, ranging from low-priced whitening strips on the low end to expensive but mostly effective specialized dental whitening services.

Three Main Approaches to Tooth Whitening

In spite of the confusing 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 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 viable delivery technique and presume it to work. There's not anything intrinsically superb or unfavorable about any of these three basic techniques - each system could yield superb results. The key to the best 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 system of delivery. This is absolutely necessary to keep the gel in contact with the surface of the tooth.

Take Home Tray Whitening

Due to the fact that the bleaching tray is so custom fitted, this allows the bleaching gel to stay in contact with the teeth surface. In essence, this is the most pivotal aspect of the bleaching process and is the explanation why tray based bleaching systems have been so successful. This is maybe the most cost effective method of tooth whitening currently 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. 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 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 totally on your own. You must carefully follow all the instructions. This approach has been successful, but you should be cautious. 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 initiates chemical reactions that lead to the tooth whitening. Most people do a Zoom® tooth whitening once every six months. Judged against 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 technique, 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 provide the reader a thorough understanding of the differing strengths of peroxides used 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 ensuing table, we try to summarize the relative effectiveness, prices, and advantages 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

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 may look like a bad cavity. If you do not employ a tray-based tooth whitening system, you run the possibility of having irregular or spotty consequences. The next simplest tooth whitening technique 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 utilize tooth whitening technique. This explains the popularity of this approach. Yet, often the outcomes aren't as nice as those outcomes 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, but 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 use a laser tooth whitening system as well as bleach, something not available with OTC products.

The ADA Seal of Acceptance

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. The ADA guideline for a whitener requires that it not turn out to be adverse to the soft tissues of the mouth or the teeth, and that a whitener can effectively whiten teeth. What one ought to know in regards to the ADA seal of acceptance is that no OTC product has yet earned this coveted designation. There are differing levels of quality to all these whitening systems. This is an area that the U.S. FDA does not become involved. At any rate, the American Dental Association (ADA) does set rules for tooth whitening products.

Tooth Whitening Toothpaste

The most uncomplicated tooth whitening system is tooth whitening toothpaste (which is a mix of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda). If you merely require some simple maintenance of prior tooth whitening, then this is the way to go. But, if the problem is more deep rooted, then other tooth whitening systems might be looked into.

Conclusion

Whatever tooth whitening system you prefer, always seek the advice of your dentist and follow carefully all instructions. Assess your condition. Only if you are looking for a small amount of whitening of your teeth, then think about an OTC tooth whitening system. Provided that you really want a wonderful bright white smile, then 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 solutions or in addition whitener.