Most important, the key ingredient in a bleaching agent is peroxide. But even peroxide has several forms. Normally, carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide are the two used for Tooth Whitening in Nashville. So what’s the difference?
Hydrogen peroxide
This is a simple agent when it comes to bleaching, especially when it comes to professional whitening. Peroxide decomposes, while oxygen saturates the enamel and bleaches it. Concentration of the substance seeps below the enamel, and it works faster thanks to its simple structure. This component, though, loses its properties during storage.
Carbamide peroxide
This type of peroxide includes urea residue. The concentration may be higher due to the fact that the urea peroxide is converted into hydrogen peroxide. This process takes 15-20 minutes. Due to the fact that the chemical process is long, it is considered to be safe to use at home. Carbamide peroxide is less irritating to the gums, so it is an ideal agent for trays and splints.
Both hydrogen and carbamide substances are equally saturating, and thereby both are known to be great for bleaching the enamel. Their strength varies, and a large concentration of one substance does not mean its higher efficiency. For example, 10% carbamide peroxide has the same efficiency as 3% of hydrogen peroxide. A smaller concentration of a substance reduces the risk of irritation of the gums, but at the same time, this means lower efficiency. One study found that a 20% carbamide peroxide bleach is significantly better than a 7.5% hydrogen peroxide bleach, at least for the first 14 days of use. However, at the end of the trial, there were no significant differences in results.
ADA approvals
Most of the products approved by the ADA contain a 10% carbamide peroxide gel. Hydrogen peroxide is another variant of the active substance, which is only slightly different in chemical structure. To obtain approval by the ADA, the product must prove its ability to lighten teeth by two shades in two independent clinical trials. Since this procedure sometimes takes many years, not all at once products are approved ADA.
Professional products contain a higher concentration of bleaching agents, which enables professionals to lighten the patient’s teeth much faster than household methods. Sometimes, it is more convenient to buy a home remedy for bleaching and use it at home rather than go to the dentist. Click Here for more information on dental whitening.
