The Sapphire ™ Chairside with After Care professional teeth whitening system.

The Sapphire ™ Chairside professional teeth whitening system is manufactured by the Den-mat Corporation, who has a long and active history associated with the development and manufacturing of products for use in the cosmetic dentistry industry.

What type of tooth whitener is used with the Sapphire ™ Chairside teeth whitening system?

The Sapphire ™ Chairside tooth whitening system utilizes a hydrogen peroxide-based bleaching gel. This whitener has a 25% hydrogen peroxide concentration and a pH of 7. The company states that they include a desensitizing agent in their whitener's formulation so to help to minimize the potential for bleaching related sensitivity.
(More about the characteristics of professional teeth whiteners...)

Is a bleaching light or laser used with the Sapphire ™ Chairside teeth whitening process?

The Sapphire ™ Chairside teeth whitening system protocol states that the use of a bleaching light is optional. However, for optimal performace, however, plasma arc light unit (named the Sapphire ™ Supreme PAC) is recommended. The wavelength of the light emitted from this unit is in the blue-green range. The implication associated with the use of a bleaching light is that the company believes that light of this specific wavelength activates some aspect of the Sapphire ™ tooth whitener so to enhance its whitening effect.
(More about bleaching lights used with profession teeth whitening systems and why they may not be needed...)

Does the Sapphire ™ Supreme PAC bleaching light produce a heating effect on the teeth being whitened?

The Sapphire ™ Supreme PAC unit filters out the infrared emissions created by the plasma arc light so that it does not create a heating effect on the teeth being treated.
(More about why it is important that a bleaching light does not produce a significant heating effect...)

How much did your dentist's Sapphire ™ Supreme PAC bleaching light cost?

Just out of curiosity and for your own information, your dentist probably paid several thousand dollars for their Sapphire ™ Supreme PAC bleaching light. The light can, however, be used for other dental procedures other than just teeth whitening.
(More about lasers and lights used with profession teeth whitening systems and why a bleaching light may not be needed...)

How long does it take your dentist to perform a Sapphire ™ Chairside teeth whitening treatment?

Sapphire ™ teeth whitening treatments usually take about 90 minutes from start to finish. The Sapphire ™ Chairside whitener is typically applied to the patient's teeth for a total duration of one hour (two applications, 30 minutes each). Both the upper and lower teeth are treated simultaneously. Pre and post treatment preparations and activities round the total treatment time for the patient up to about 90 minutes.

Does the Sapphire ™ Chairside system make use of at-home teeth whitening treatments?

Den-mat Corporation recommends that patients should continue on with at-home treatments (using their Sapphire ™ After Care product) after their in-office bleaching treatment has been performed.
(More about the use and purpose of at-home teeth whiteners after professional teeth whitening treatments...)

What are the individual steps of the Sapphire ™ Chairside teeth whitening system?

The procedure your dentist follows when performing Sapphire ™ Chairside teeth whitening system treatments does not vary greatly from those general steps we illustrate and describe for the typical professional teeth whitening process. Specifically, however, as you read through our pages please note that the Sapphire ™ Chairside system does include the use of a paint on dental dam and the "activation" of the whitening gel with a bleaching light.

Should you choose the Sapphire ™ Chairside professional teeth whitening system as a means to lighten your teeth?

This question can only be answered after a discussion with the dentist who will perform the whitening treatments but yes, generally speaking, the Sapphire ™ Chairside teeth whitening system should be considered to be a high quality teeth whitening product.
(More about how to choose a professional teeth whitening system...)