Info on white brilliance

Why a Tooth Whitening System?

Tooth whitening systems provide a wide spectrum of alternatives, ranging from economical whitening strips on the low end to costly but generally effective professional dental whitening services. There is a good amount of of tooth whitening systems available today. Why do teeth darken? This is because individuals 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 process do show some improvement.

Three Main Approaches to Tooth Whitening

Notwithstanding the bewildering array of dentist and over the counter (OTC) products, there are in point of fact 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

The key to the finest results in tooth whitening is the whitening agent delivery procedure. In all the tooth whitening methods, the tooth bleaching gel is kept in place by a procedure of delivery. This is unquestionably needed to keep the gel in contact with the surface of the tooth. There is nothing intrinsically good or unfavorable about any of these three basic techniques - each technique can yield fine outcomes. You simply can’t put a bleaching agent on your teeth without a viable delivery procedure and presume it to work.

Whitening Strip Method

The next simplest tooth whitening method is the whitening strip approach. 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 pricey, and easiest to utilize tooth whitening approach. This explains the popularity of this approach. Yet, frequently the possible results aren't as good as those results seen with the tray-based methods or in-office laser tooth whitening systems. Whitening strips can accomplish a fine 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 utilize a tray-based tooth whitening system, you run the risk of possessing irregular or spotty possible results.

OTC tooth whitening products ought to in principle come up with the identical tooth whitening effect as a visit to a dentist office, however 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.

Take Home Tray Whitening

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. Later, 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. Because the bleaching tray is so custom fitted, this permits the bleaching gel to remain in contact with the teeth surface. Truly, 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 perhaps the most cost effective method of tooth whitening now on hand.

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 procedure has been successful, but you must be cautious. This system is not recommended by the ADA.

Dentist-supervised laser tooth whitening

Compared to OTC products, dentists mostly use a higher concentration of bleaching compound with a laser tooth whitening system like Britesmile® or Zoom® tooth whitening. With a laser whitening process, the precisely defined light frequency combined with a proprietary bleaching chemical produces exceptionally amplified whitening effects. 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 lead to the tooth whitening. A large number of people do a Zoom® tooth whitening once every six months.

A comparison of peroxide concentrations in tooth whitening

The following table will provide the reader a thorough understanding of the varying strengths of peroxides utilized 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 ensuing table, we make an attempt to summarize the relative effectiveness, expense, 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

The ADA Seal of Acceptance

The ADA guideline for a whitener requires that it not become adverse to the soft tissues of the mouth or the teeth, and that a whitener can effectively whiten teeth. What a person must know regarding the ADA seal of acceptance is that no OTC product has as of yet earned this coveted designation. There are differing degrees of worth to all these whitening systems. This is an area that the U.S. FDA does not get involved. Nonetheless, 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 obtained the ADA Seal, the active ingredient is a 10% carbamide peroxide solution.

Tooth Whitening Toothpaste

The most uncomplicated tooth whitening technique is tooth whitening toothpaste (which is a mix of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda). If you just desire some uncomplicated maintenance of prior tooth whitening, then this is the direction to go. But, if the situation 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 carefully all instructions. Review your circumstances. Only if you are looking for a bit of whitening of your teeth, then consider an OTC tooth whitening system. If you particularly desire a fantastic 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 systems or in addition teeth whitening with light.