The Opalescence® teeth whitening system.
Opalescence® Xtra® Boost™
The Opalescence® whitening system is Ultradent, Inc.'s professional teeth whitening product (as opposed to their at-home line).
This isn't a cookie-cutter system like some are. Ultradent considers the use of a bleaching light, and at-home follow-up whitening treatments, to be optional. (Read the text below and follow the links, you'll find out why we favor a company that admits this.)
What type of whitener is used?
The Opalescence® Xtra® Boost™ system uses a hydrogen peroxide-based bleaching gel. This whitener comes prepackaged as two individual components that are mixed together at the time of application.
This whitener has a 38% hydrogen peroxide concentration (which is fairly high when compared to some other systems) . And has the ideal pH, which is pH 7. (More about whiteners...)
Is a bleaching light used?
Ultradent states that the dentist's use of a bleaching light during treatment is optional. (The whole idea associated with the need for bleaching lights is somewhat controversial. And one we don't subscribe to.)
If the dentist performing the whitening treatment does choose to use a light, then Ultradent considers a standard dental "curing" light to be appropriate.
(A curing light is that type of light source that a dentist uses to cure white filling material, like dental bonding. These units typically put out a blue or blue-green light.)
Curing lights are designed so they only illuminate one or two teeth at a time. So if a dentist does choose to use one, they will need to continually move the light from one tooth to another, so each one gets an equal exposure.
Ultradent recommends 30 seconds of light exposure on a tooth at a time, for what probably accumulates to a total of about 2 minutes per tooth over the course of the entire bleaching session. (Doing the procedure this way shouldn't put the patient's teeth at risk for being over heated.)
We will say that since no special equipment (like a bleaching light) is required, the dentist's costs will be as low as is possible. Hopefully some aspect of this savings will be passed on to their patients.
How long do treatments take?
Whitening treatments usually take a little over an hour from start to finish. Each bleaching session is broken down into three individual applications of the Opalescence® Xtra® Boost™ whitener, with the duration of each application being 15 minutes.
This means that the cumulative exposure of the patient's teeth to the whitening gel is 45 minutes. Pre- and post-treatment preparations and activities round the total treatment time up to about 60 to 80 minutes.
Are at-home follow-up treatments recommended?
Continuing with at-home treatments after the in-office whitening process has been completed is an option that Ultradent leaves up to the discretion of the dentist performing the treatment.
No doubt if one is recommended, it will be one of the Opalescence® take-home whiteners (such as Treswhite™ Supreme). (More about why follow-up treatments are used...)
The whitening procedure.
The procedure a dentist follows when performing Opalescence® treatments does not vary greatly from those steps we outline for in-office whitening in general.
However, as you read through that information, note that this system does include the use of a paint on dental dam, the "activation" of the whitening gel with a bleaching light is considered optional, as is the need for at-home follow-up treatments
