Why a Tooth Whitening System?
Why do teeth become yellowed? This is because individuals consume caffeine-containing drinks, smoke, become exposed to antibiotics, and just plain age. Teeth whitening is an effective course to reverse this process, and is so successful that 95% of those experiencing the procedure do show some improvement. There is a good amount of of tooth whitening systems obtainable currently. Tooth whitening systems offer a wide spectrum of alternatives, ranging from low-priced whitening strips on the low end to pricey but generally effective expert dental whitening services.
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 costly, and easiest to utilize tooth whitening approach. This explains the popularity of this approach. Yet, often the possible results are not 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 could look like a bad cavity. If you don't use a tray-based tooth whitening system, you run the risk of having irregular or spotty possible results.
OTC tooth whitening products ought to in principle provide the identical tooth whitening effect as a visit to a dentist office, yet with a decreased concentration of the peroxide (5% - 10%), and over a longer period of time. This is partially true, but omits the reality 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 in point of fact 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 highest quality 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 crucial to keep the gel in contact with the surface of the tooth. You clearly can’t put a bleaching agent on your teeth without a fine delivery technique and presume it to work. There's nothing intrinsically superb or deficient regarding any of these three basic techniques - each procedure can yield nice outcomes.
Take Home Tray Whitening
Due to the fact that the bleaching tray is so custom fitted, this permits the bleaching gel to remain in contact with the teeth surface. In essence, this is the most critical 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 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. 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 utterly 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 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 causes chemical reactions that trigger the tooth whitening. Most people do a Zoom® tooth whitening once every six months. 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 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 attempt 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 |
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 a person should know regarding the ADA seal of acceptance is that no OTC product has yet attained this coveted designation. Only particular tray-based dentist-dispensed products have the ADA Seal. In all the at-home tooth whiteners that have received the ADA Seal, the active ingredient is a 10% carbamide peroxide solution. There are differing degrees of quality to all these whitening systems. This is an area that the U.S. FDA doesn't become involved. Nonetheless, 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 simply require some simple maintenance of prior tooth whitening, then this is the direction to go. But, if the problem is more deep rooted, then other tooth whitening systems ought to be looked into.
Conclusion
Whatever tooth whitening system you prefer, always seek the advice of your dentist and follow closely all instructions. Take a look at your situation. If you are looking for a bit of whitening of your teeth, then consider an OTC tooth whitening system. If you truly want a fantastic 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
bright smile or in addition
teeth whitening toothpaste.
