Teeth

Opalesence 35% strength with a tooth mold.

Sonicare daily (actually as least twice daily) Also used Opalesence with a molded tooth trey. I used one of the intermediate concentrations of carbamide peroxide as the stronger ones tear up the gums and cause terrible tooth sensitivity. My dentist also said that the stains come back faster if you use the more concentrated product. I also had my four front top teeth veneered; some of the best money I ever spent.

Your dentist lied.

He probably only had the lower strength so he fed you some crap about how you'll shoot your eye out with 35% strength.

Not to say that the lower strength doesn't work -- you just overpaid and got reeled in.

No. She actually had some literature she gave me indicating that long term results are better with a lower concentration of carbamide peroxide. It wasn't something she published herself. One colleague of mine had to stop treatment due to unbearable tooth sensitivity using the higher concentration. High concentrations of carbamide peroxide, just like high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, can cause damage to mucous membranes (includes your gums). This is directly proportional to the concentration of the product used.

I've had several dentist tell me the same thing; the best whitening results and least damage come from lower concentrations used for longer periods of time.

I just ordered Opalescence 15% #4 syringes in mellon flavor off of eBay. The cost was $22.99 including first class USPS shipping. It has been several years since I used this product for beaching. I figure it is time for a little "touch-up"; I still have the original trays from my dentist.

Elgydium toothpaste is the bomb as well.

the dentist can hook u up with some whitening

And the literature is based off what? Last time I checked, percentages of total chemical strength are simply a proportion of the active ingredient compared to everything else. In other words, pre-diluting the carbamide peroxide just costs you more money. It's an idiot-proof way of whiteneing teeth and is easily sellable for a) a longer period of time and b) to a bigger market. 'Stains come back faster' is also pretty much absolute bullshit. Carbamide peroxide oxidizes stains. Using a higher concentration won't make stains come back faster unless you continually stain your teeth again. And guess what...if they come back you whiten again and they go away again!

Go to the dentist and get a custom tray for you to use. Whatever you do, DO NOT go for those laser teeth whitening. I just had mine done a few days a go and it's not pleasant.

I had a swollen upper lip for the first day and
the gums on the bottom row have receded more after the procedure. The peroxide/light must have done some damage. Hopefully it heals soon.

The reason for the tissue injury is the higher concentration of peroxide used (carbamide peroxide which converts to hydrogen peroxide). There is less mucous membrane irritation and tooth sensitivity if using the 10% or 15% concentration even if it is applied overnight.

Consumer Reports Magazine hails "Ultrabrite" toothpaste as the clear all-around winner for whitening. We no longer get that product in Canada, so I'm not sure, but the magazine is usually careful in their testing modules.

Dental whitening using bluelight is a rather unpleasant experience, as is the peroxide gel and tray that is required for regular maintenance. Your teeth will "hurt" for a day or two afterwards because the bleaching agent is actually penetrating the porosity of the enamel and changing the colour of the interior dentin [not the enamel] so the nerves are irritated. Most annoying.

You could splurge on porcelain veneers one day - non-staining but at about $1700.00 a tooth, when all is said and done, it's like you've got a Mercedes crammed into your mouth.

My dentist charges the same price for whitening teeth regardless of duration of treatment. Her motivation certainly wasn't to rip me off.

You are correct in your interpretation of percent. It is measure of the concentration of a product in another product. In toxicology, this can be very important. It is quite common for me to get calls at Poison Center from people who have accidentally swallowed a sip of hydrogen peroxide 3%; not much happens, but it may cause nausea/vomiting if enough is ingested. Occasionally there are people who swallow the "food grade" 31% hydrogen peroxide. It causes SEVERE caustic injury, possible air embolism and very often ends in death.

Here is a copy of one abstract (cut/paste) from Journal of Oral Rehabilitation Volume 27 Issue 4 Page 332-340, April 2000

"Carbamide peroxide bleaching agents have raised important questions on their potential adverse effects on the structure of enamel. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of three carbamide peroxide bleaching agents in different concentrations (10, 16 and 35%) on the structure of enamel. Forty enamel slabs prepared from human third molars were divided equally among four groups. The specimens in the first and second group were subjected to 10% or 16% carbamide peroxide for 8 h per day for 6 weeks. Thirty-five percent carbamide peroxide was applied to the third group for 30 min a day for a 4 day period according to the manufacturers recommendation. The fourth group served as the control and was kept in artificial saliva during the test period. At the completion of the treatment, all the specimens were examined by infrared absorbtion spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The results revealed that 10% or 16% carbamide peroxide did not seem to effect the structure of enamel, whereas 35% carbamide did affect the structure. The use of lower concentrations of carbamide peroxide (10-16%) is recommended over higher concentrations (35%) to avoid changes to the enamel."

There are numerous studies (many conflicting) regarding potential for actual damage to the tooth structure both with and without regard to the concentration of carbamide/hydrogen peroxides used. There is definitely more soft tissue injury with higher concentration products. If you tolerate the highter concentration, and are in a hurry for whiter teeth, go for it! I use the 15% concentration; I don't care if it takes a week or two to get the job done.