Teeth whitening using Opalescence technology: indications, effectiveness, reviews

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Unfortunately, not everyone has a beautiful and sparkling snow-white smile. Modern dentistry has a wide range of teeth whitening methods using various technologies.

One of them is Opalescence technology.

How does it work?

Opalescence technology is based on the whitening properties of carbamide peroxide , a substance that acts similar to hydrogen peroxide. For all its effectiveness and slightly higher concentration, the substance acts gently and safely, without irritating the gum mucosa at all.

Contraindications to the use of Opalescence

The procedure is not recommended in the following cases:

young age of the patient (up to 18 years);
enamel hypersensitivity;
deep caries;
allergy to hydrogen peroxide;
pregnancy and lactation.

Before use, be sure to consult your dentist. This will protect you from such unpleasant consequences as increased enamel sensitivity and gum burns.

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Home use

professional teeth whitening system can be used at home , which makes it more affordable. There are several whitening options that you can use without leaving your home.

Opalescence PF

Directly for whitening, a viscous gel is used here, the basis of which is carbamide peroxide. Additionally, to strengthen the enamel, the gel contains sodium fluoride and potassium nitrate.

The concentration of the product can be selected from three options - 10, 15, 20%. To prevent dehydration of the surface of the teeth and their re-darkening, the gel contains 20% water.

In particular, it also helps to achieve a comfortable viscous consistency of the product, which ensures a tight fit of the mouthguard without the risk of it falling out. In this case, the activity of the gel continues for 8-10 hours.

This system is intended for everyone whose teeth have darkened and changed shade under the influence of external factors , including products containing dyes - wines, coffee, tea, juices, medications, etc.

The kit includes disposable syringes with active gel. It should not be applied directly to the teeth, but on special trays, which can be made from individual impressions by the dentist.
The gel should be applied to the inside in one long and thin strip, gently pressing on the syringe.
Depending on the specific situation, you can use different whitening modes. The first - the simplest - is to install a mouth guard all night. Other regimens involve wearing mouthguards from 1-2 to 10 hours a day, possibly with breaks of a day or two.

Estimated cost – 4100-4300 rubles.

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Opalescence TresWhite Supreme

The TresWhite Supreme system, in terms of the composition of the active gel with sodium fluoride and potassium nitrate based on carbamide peroxide, practically repeats the previous one - PF.

However, TresWhite Supreme is much more convenient to use, since the kit contains ready-made trays already filled with gel. The aligners themselves are very thin and elastic, so they easily adapt to the shape of the teeth and do not cause any discomfort when worn. The concentration can be selected from two options - 10% and 15%.

This system is recommended for use by those patients who have already undergone in-office whitening and want to update the result after some time . TresWhite Supreme 10% kits come in three flavors - mint, melon and peach, while the 15% comes in mint flavor only.

The set contains 10 disposable trays (5 each for the lower and upper jaws), which should be worn once a day for no more than an hour (from 30 minutes to an hour). The course lasts from 5 to 10 days.

The mouthguard is positioned in the middle of the dentition, fixed, the outer part is removed and straightened over all teeth.

The results of whitening are often noticeable after just three days of using the technology. The advantages include simplicity and ease of use, as well as no need to order mouth guards from the dentist, which saves money and time.

You can buy the set at an average price of 4,500 rubles.

TresWhite Ortho Mint

This system is specially designed for those patients who want to lighten tooth enamel while wearing fixed orthodontic structures, such as braces or plates.

The whitening gel here has a lower concentration - 8%, but is based on hydrogen peroxide.

In this case, in addition to directly whitening the enamel, an additional antibacterial effect is achieved. This is very important during orthodontic treatment, since oral hygiene is hampered by installed structures.

The TresWhite Ortho Mint set contains 10 trays each, adapted for installation on the lower and upper jaws and pre-filled with gel. Each aligner is incredibly elastic, which eliminates the possibility of damage to any elements of the installed orthodontic structure.

The gel itself also acts exclusively on the enamel, without affecting the metal or plastic elements of the medical equipment.

The whitening course lasts from 5 to 10 days, depending on the desired effect. The procedure takes a minimum of time - only 30 to 60 minutes.

Before use, each mouthguard must be removed from its protective packaging, carefully placed in the center of the dentition and secured with a slight movement. After this you can remove the outer part. A thin and almost invisible tray filled with gel will remain on the teeth.

Approximate cost – 5500 rubles.

Opalescence Follow-Up Kit

In cases where it is necessary to enhance the whitening effect obtained during an in-office procedure, you can use the Follow-Up Kit. Usage is similar to the previous types.

Approximate price – 4700 rubles.

Instructions for the Opalescence home system

The home kit consists of 20 disposable aligners (for the upper and lower jaw). Mode of application:

Brush your teeth with your usual hygiene product;
take out the mouth guard and place it in the center of the teeth;
press lightly for better fixation;
remove the top colored cap (protective frame);
leave for 30-60 minutes, activation time depends on the concentration of the gel: 15-20% - up to 30 minutes, 10% - 60 minutes;
at the end of the procedure, remove the mouth guard and rinse your mouth with warm water.

It is recommended to use Opalescence once a day, the ideal result can be achieved after 5-10 applications.

Application in clinical settings

In-office or clinical teeth whitening using Opalescence technology takes place under the supervision of an experienced doctor, so high concentrations of active ingredients can be used to increase efficiency .

Opalescence Xtra Boost PF

This technology can only be used in a dentist’s office, since the active gel (based on carbamide peroxide) has a high concentration of 38%.

The content of additional substances in the gel - sodium fluoride and potassium nitrate - helps prevent increased tooth sensitivity, and also serves as an additional means for the prevention of caries.

The gel is not sold ready-made; the doctor must mix it himself. To simplify and speed up the procedure as much as possible, mixing with the activator occurs directly in the syringe.

The procedure can be carried out not only for complete whitening, but also for one tooth or part of it . The procedure can be repeated three days after the first.

The estimated cost of a set containing a gel, an activator, a liquid rubber dam, a bite block and special attachments is about 4600-4800 rubles.

Opalescence Endo

The composition is designed to achieve a quick effect in situations where intra-canal whitening is necessary, for example, when part of a tooth or an entire crown darkens after filling.

The drug is based on hydrogen peroxide and has a high concentration of 35%. The gel is pre-mixed, so the doctor only has to open access to the canal, clean it and inject the gel.

The estimated cost is about 4,500 rubles.

Opalustre

Most often used to eliminate the effects of fluorosis - small enamel defects (brown, white and colored) located at a shallow depth - about 0.2 mm.

Opalustre is a special suspension that contains microscopic particles of silicon urea for abrasive processing and 6.6% hydrochloric acid for chemical treatment of enamel.

With the correct actions of the doctor, the composition allows you to remove strictly controlled areas of the enamel surface, while simultaneously polishing and eliminating defects.

The approximate cost of a complete set is about 15 thousand rubles.

Advantages of Opalscens systems

Long-lasting effect from using the gel;
Safety for patient health due to the remineralizing properties of fluorides;
The presence of 20% water in the composition, which prevents drying out of the oral mucosa;
Noticeable lightening of the enamel after the first session;
Excellent results without the use of dental lamps;
Almost zero risk of dental hypersensitivity due to the presence of fluoride and potassium nitrate in the composition;
Preservation of teeth whiteness after ZOOM whitening;
A thicker gel formula that ensures comfortable use (the gel does not leak out of the mouthguard);
Prevention of caries;
A wide range of tooth gel flavors, as well as active ingredient concentrations;
A variety of options for using the system, ranging from convenient syringes and mouth guards to entire sets for teeth whitening;
The ability to use the Opalescence system independently at home.

What problems does toothpaste solve?

After using one of the Opalescence whitening systems, additional hygiene products must be used to maintain the effect obtained for a long time . Ultradent offers its customers Opalescence Whitening toothpaste to help cope with this task.

The paste has a special composition that not only helps keep teeth white, but also maintains the health of the entire oral cavity, including soft tissues.

The product contains fluorine compounds. Thanks to the unique formula, fluoride ions are released quickly and with high efficiency, enriching the enamel and making it stronger.

The minimal abrasiveness of the paste and special additives that prevent staining of teeth immediately after the whitening procedure make this product indispensable.

The paste also contains substances that have an anti-inflammatory effect and prevent the occurrence of gum disease.

Features of impact technology

One of the differences between Opalescence and similar techniques is that there is no need to use an additional light lamp to activate the gel. This makes the procedure simple, fast and convenient both at home and when using professional systems.

They have the same operating principle based on the release of active oxygen from the active substance. Under the influence of the activator contained in the gel, carbamide peroxide begins to decompose and releases molecular oxygen with fairly high efficiency.

The colored areas of the teeth have protein bonds, with which oxygen reacts. In this case, the bonds are destroyed without causing harm to the enamel, and the pigmented areas become discolored.

Depending on the chosen system and many other factors (in particular, the individual reaction of the patient’s enamel to the material), lightening can occur from 2 to 10 tones .

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How does Opalescence work?

The main active ingredient is an oxidizing agent (hydrogen or carbamide peroxide). A gel with an oxidizing agent is applied to the enamel, after which active oxygen molecules begin to be released. This oxygen penetrates the enamel, destroying the protein bonds of the painted areas.

As a result, persistent pigment is eliminated and the enamel becomes perfectly white. In this case, there is no need to use a catalyst in the form of a laser or halogen beams.

Opalescence perfectly eliminates:

yellowness and “smoker’s plaque”;
tetracycline stains;
fluorosis;
age-related changes in enamel.

In addition, the method is suitable for lightening after depulpation (pulp removal), if after treatment of pulpitis the enamel has acquired a gray tint.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of Opalescence are obvious - the soft action of the gel with high efficiency does not worsen the condition of the enamel, but, on the contrary, further strengthens it due to the content of potassium nitrate and sodium fluoride.

Among the advantages are convenience and ease of use, as well as a wide range of indications, since the technology allows you to lighten not only enamel stained with products, but also eliminate the manifestations of fluorosis and internal staining due to medications .

The only drawback is that the system does not allow you to whiten your teeth once and for all, and it cannot be used by people who are allergic to the components of the active composition.

Professional whitening Opalescence

Professional teeth whitening Opalescence is carried out exclusively in the dentist’s office: that is why it is also called in-office. The manufacturer offers several different systems that differ in composition and purpose.

Teeth whitening Opalescence Boost (Xtra)
is one of the most popular. This is a highly concentrated gel with 35 percent hydrogen peroxide. The Opalescence Boost whitening system contains a powerful whitening formula with carotene, which allows you to achieve positive results almost instantly. Used for express whitening of a fragment of the dentition or one tooth. Allows intracoronal whitening of pulpless teeth.

Teeth whitening Opalescence PF
is intended for sensitive teeth. The abbreviation PF means that the gel contains potassium nitrate and sodium fluoride, which reduce hypersensitivity and protect the enamel. During one visit to the doctor, you can apply the gel two or three times, and repeat the procedure after a few days.

Intra-canal bleaching Opalescence Endo
based on hydrogen peroxide is used in conditions of deep pigmentation of the tooth after nerve removal.

Opalustre suspension
containing silicon carbide particles and hydrochloric acid (6.6%). Used to eliminate shallow enamel defects caused by diseases (fluorosis, hypoplasia, etc.). Microabrasive treatment with a suspension allows you to eliminate pigment spots, unevenness and restore uniformity to the enamel. Often used in conjunction with professional whitening to achieve optimal results.

Effect duration

The effect of the procedure depends primarily on which method was chosen .

The higher concentrations of the active composition were used, the longer the effect will last - from one to three years.

When using the softest and most gentle home methods, the whitening effect may last a little less - from six months to 1-2 years, depending on individual characteristics, nutrition, and the presence of bad habits.

Post-procedure care

For two weeks after whitening, it is advisable to refrain from eating foods that contain strong dyes - the so-called “colorless diet”.

This also includes drinks: bright carbonated drinks, wine, tea, coffee, etc. Otherwise, there are no restrictions, but you should remember about proper oral hygiene.