Which Opalescence whitening is more effective: in a dental clinic or at home?

Now people with perfect teeth smile at us from everywhere. Of course, a snow-white smile makes us more attractive and more confident .
Modern technologies make it possible to get one step closer to the dream of an ideal appearance.

After all, it is possible to whiten teeth both in clinical and at home conditions.

New in the field of snow-white smiles is the Opalescence system .

The essence of Opalescence technology

It is worth noting! This system appeared in our country not so long ago and is currently only gaining momentum in popularity.

While in America (the country of origin) this product for lightening tooth enamel occupies a leading position.

The principle of operation of bleach is the work of a special activator, which is aimed at the breakdown of carbamide or hydrogen peroxide.

As a result of this breakdown, oxygen is released.

This chemical then begins a reaction with proteins that are located in the contaminated areas of the enamel.

Simply put, oxygen simply breaks down contaminants .

During this process, the enamel is not destroyed or injured , and its darkened areas turn white.

Keep in mind! Whitening is not one manipulation, but a whole series of procedures:

• first you need to get rid of caries, tartar, and also cure diseases of the oral cavity;
• then the mucous membrane must be protected with a special substance;
• prepare the gel for the procedure in advance;
• apply a whitening agent to the teeth;
• discoloration does not occur immediately; you will need to walk around with the gel for some time;
• at the end, the composition is removed from the surface of the tooth enamel and the entire oral cavity is cleansed.

There are some systems from the Opalescence series that can be used in a simplified manner. You just need to put the mouth guards on your teeth and spend the time indicated in the instructions.

How to use trays for home whitening

The procedure is indicated for patients who prefer gentle whitening or need support and prolongation of the whitening results in the doctor's chair. The system is active against natural enamel. Opalescence Go does not have a destructive effect on implants, veneers and restoration materials, and does not change their color or texture. To maintain the activity of the whitening gel, the trays must be stored at a temperature of about +2-7 degrees. Each set contains several sets for the upper and lower jaws.

1. Before installation, the trays are heated at room temperature to eliminate discomfort.
2. They are removed from the blister, placed on the corresponding jaw and centered on the teeth. To achieve fixation, the patient needs to remove air between the teeth and the tray using a suction motion.
3. The colored delivery spoon is carefully removed. The mouth guards themselves are transparent in color and are practically invisible when worn. If necessary, the patient can further adjust the location.
4. To achieve a visible effect, the procedure is carried out daily for 60 to 90 minutes.
5. After the specified time has elapsed, the tray is removed, and the teeth are cleaned of any remaining gel with a toothbrush without toothpaste. The oral cavity is rinsed with water.

Whitening is noticeable after the first procedure; to consolidate the effect, it is advisable to take a course.

Efficiency Opalescence

Results depend on several factors. Firstly, the choice of the Opalescence complex .

Note! The higher the concentration of the active substance in it, the more noticeable the lightening effect and the longer it will last.

You can lighten the enamel by a maximum of 10 tones. The longest period for maintaining a snow-white smile is 2-3 years.

Secondly, these are
the habits of the person himself .
This includes personal hygiene, smoking, and eating foods that contain coloring elements.

Thirdly, everything may depend on human physiology , or more precisely on the structure of the enamel.

Indications for use

The most important indication for the whitening procedure is the desire to have a beautiful snow-white smile.

Stay up to date! There are some medical indications for using the Opalescence system. These include:

• tetracycline teeth - this is the name given to teeth that have acquired a yellow (and sometimes gray or even brown) tint due to a reaction to tetracycline;
• darkening of the enamel due to its thinning (most often this occurs with age);
• excessive consumption of foods with dyes and frequent smoking . It is worth noting that in this case, the effect of the procedure will not be long-lasting unless you change your taste preferences and get rid of your addiction;
• fluorosis - characterized by pigmentation on the teeth due to the increased fluoride content in the enamel.

Contraindications

Important! Every medical and cosmetic procedure has them. Opalescence whitening is no exception. So, you should refuse the procedure in the following cases:

• During pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• intolerance to the components of the gel;
• ailments of the oral cavity (especially inflammatory in nature);
• caries;
• thin enamel and tooth sensitivity;
• many fillings, crowns, and other orthodontic structures;
• tartar;
• children under 16 years of age;
• baby teeth.

Dental deformation is not a contraindication to the procedure.

However, in this case, using mouth guards at home will be very inconvenient.

Many of the points listed do not mean that you need to completely abandon bleaching, but only that it needs to be postponed until contraindications are eliminated.

Professional types of Opalescence

For reference! Kits for carrying out whitening procedures in clinical settings are characterized by a higher content of active substance in the composition and the need for additional equipment.

But at the same time, the duration of whitening procedures in a professional setting is reduced, which saves the patient’s time.

Boost PF

In this option, the concentration of the active substance reaches a maximum level of 40%.
Among the advantages of Boost PF are the strengthening of enamel due to its saturation with minerals, as well as the ability to whiten one tooth or even a section of it.

The procedure is suitable for people with sensitive tooth enamel . The price of such bleaching ranges from 6,000 rubles.

Xstra Boost PF

In this case, the concentration reaches 38%. The main advantage of Xstra Boost PF is the ability to whiten teeth both outside and inside.

It is worth noting! The result is achieved after the first procedure, the duration of which does not exceed 15 minutes.

The cost of whitening starts from 4500 rubles. If the maximum effect was not achieved in one visit to the dentist, the visit can be repeated after 2-3 days.

Endo Kit

The active substance is contained at a level of 35% . This type of whitening does not involve discoloration of the entire row of teeth, but only individual elements.
Unlike previous options, the gel does not need to be prepared. All you have to do is open the package.

The approximate cost of the Endo Kit is 4,500 rubles.

Opalustre

This type of whitening is distinguished by a special gel composition, which includes hydrochloric acid and hard microparticles.

Know! This gel is used to correct minor imperfections in enamel, the depth of which does not exceed 0.2 mm. Along with the correction of defects, teeth polishing also occurs.

A characteristic feature of this procedure is its long-lasting effect. But at the same time, the cost of whitening increases to 15,000 rubles.

Teeth whitening OpalescenceBoost - reviews

Little guy
https://sovet.kidstaff.com.ua/question-1822574

I did. There was no effect (very short-term), coffee, tea, coloring, berries, etc. were taboo for at least a week. As soon as I started drinking coffee, the color returned

Sveta

https://zubz.ru/sistema-otbelivaniya-opalescence-xtra-boost.html

Opalescence xtra boost did not help me. Or rather, not as promised. The enamel has become lighter by just 2-3 shades, but 5-6 are needed. I did the same thing with homemade strips, but they are cheaper and not so destructive to the enamel. During the procedure itself, my teeth began to itch. Soon this feeling disappeared, leaving only the nasty hospital smell of peroxide. And after 5-6 hours they showed me the sky in diamonds and sparkles from the eyes. The sensations are comparable to pulpitis, and they become progressively worse. Now anything but opalescence xtra boost.

Marry222

https://otzovik.com/review_4003172.html

Advantages:

No

Flaws:

Pain

Guys, don’t be fooled by this bleaching, the pain is hellish. As a result, you will get teeth that are one tone lighter, but all this will last no more than 2 weeks! Conclusion: it's not worth it! Very painful!

TashaBu

https://otzovik.com/review_2844479.html

Advantages:

clean, same effect as toothpaste

Flaws:

costly and ineffective

It didn’t help me, a friend saw me and she also decided to whiten her teeth at home, the result was zero. A pleasant feeling of freshness and nothing more. Alas.

Nana12

https://otzovik.com/review_676815.html

Advantages:

no advantages

Flaws:

the whole system is a complete minus

Not having had time to feel the beauty of white teeth, I was horrified by the wounds on my gums, although I followed everything according to the instructions. Naturally, the color of my teeth did not change, my natural grayish-yellowish color remained, but at least I could eat and not feel discomfort. I placed so much hope in this method that in the end, disappointment left a big mark. Before ordering, a nice young man on the phone beautifully told me that there were so many types of protection and it was definitely original, so I believed it. However, super stickers with numbers (something like fillings) were removed very simply and put on the tube in the same way, that is, theoretically, I could squeeze out all the gel myself and seal it back... I’m so tired of being deceived everywhere...

MiruMaj

https://otzovik.com/review_402116.html

Advantages:

there weren't any for me

Flaws:

no whitening effect.

Each person has his own so-called “points”. Some intensively wash the floors three times a day, others polish their shoes every half meter of walking, and people like me take great care of the aesthetics of their teeth. I wrote about how I whitened my teeth using the Zoom method here

Smiling is the easiest way to change your appearance. More than five years have passed and I am again concerned about the brightness of my smile. It should be noted that in this matter I rely exclusively on professionals. My dentist recommended Opalescence Tooth Whitening Gel to me. Why don't I call it a system, as stated in the title of the review? Here's why. Opalescence Tooth Whitening gel syringes are actually included in the at-home whitening kit. But my “generous” dentist decided to triple the revenue and provided me with the gel one syringe at a time. The cost of one such syringe is 500 rubles. When the Opalescence Tooth Whitening system PF teeth whitening system of four syringes - one 10%, one 15%, two 20% - costs, as I later learned from official sources, from 600 to 1000 rubles. In order to use the Opalescence Tooth Whitening system PF, you will need individual trays, which will be made in a dental clinic. My mouth guards were made earlier, so I only paid for the cost of the gel. And together with the trays, my whitening would cost 5 thousand rubles. Here it’s not far from Zooma. The cost of such bleaching now ranges from 7,500 to 10,000 rubles. I used three syringes of Opalescence Tooth Whitening 15%. The gel is applied to the mouth guards, which we wear at night. In the morning, remove and rinse your mouth well. After half an hour, you can brush your teeth. I didn't notice any whitening effect. Three syringes of gel were enough for 9 uses. Perhaps if my dentist had been more honest with me and offered me not individual syringes of 15% Opalescence Tooth Whitening, but the entire Whitening System, I would have received at least a minimal effect. I no longer have the desire to repeat this whitening. I'm currently testing Crest Whitestrips Supreme Professional whitening strips. I will definitely write a detailed review about them.

Adder

https://irecommend.ru/content/esli-est-khot-maleishee-somnenie-v-odnorodnosti-emali-nikogda-ne-delaite-eto-otbelivanie

In principle, I was happy with my teeth, and the color too, BUT, in order to wear the red and fuchsia lipsticks that I loved so much, I needed whiter teeth. After searching the Internet, I chose opalscence in-office whitening for the following reasons:

1. “Toilet-colored” teeth, sorry, I never wanted them, because for me it’s unnatural. 2-3 tones would suit me just fine.

2. I am intolerant to toothache, and, judging by the reviews, after opalscence the sensations, although unpleasant, are quite tolerable, compared to the same zoom.

Naturally, whitening is not included in the insurance, so I started choosing honey. center, I ultimately chose Admiralty Shipyards (St. Petersburg), because According to reviews from friends and acquaintances, there are good doctors there. By the way, the fly in the ointment about good doctors is below.

I came for a consultation. The dentist said that there are no contraindications to whitening, first you need to do the cleaning and move on. We calculated the time, it should take a couple of days from cleaning to bleaching, I warned that on Friday I had a corporate party at which I needed to shine, in the end they chose Wednesday as day X. True, during the consultation, the dentist mentioned that my enamel was not entirely uniform, but then I did not understand what consequences this could entail.

All the pleasure of the December Shipyards whitening promotion cost me just over 10 thousand: 3500 for cleaning, 7000 for bleaching.

They did the cleaning, after 4 days I went in for whitening. The doctor warned that there might be unpleasant sensations, that she would apply the gel in 3 stages, and after each application you would need to sit with the gel for 20 minutes. By the way, the gel is not applied to all teeth, but only to five along the smile line, which naturally suited me. After that, they inserted a speculum into my mouth so that I certainly couldn’t close it, sealed off my gums, and I started watching movies on my iPad. A couple of times the same tooth was noticeably shooting, but I was ready for it, so I didn’t bother too much.

But I was confused when the gel was washed off, and I saw the result. Because it was a complete, dear edition. My teeth were really SPOTTED, it was very noticeable, especially on the two front teeth. The result after was much worse than the situation before (I apologize for the quality of the photo, it was a phone photo, and I didn’t have enough nerves at home after taking a photo of this “beauty”; I couldn’t look at myself in the mirror for several days and didn’t smile):

The dentist, seeing my, to put it mildly, shocked appearance, began to fuss and try to fix something: she applied the gel to dark, unbleached areas, to convince me that everything was not as noticeable as I thought, etc. As a result, I sat in the chair for 2 hours, the color did not become uniform, and my teeth remained stained. The dentist just mumbled that everything was not as bad as it seemed to me, and advised me to drink more coffee and smoke so that the result would be more equal.

Result:

a lot of wasted nerve cells, minus 10,500 re, two hours thrown out of life with a speculum in the mouth, “shooting” teeth (I took Pentalgin in the evening, the next day there was no pain).

I even cried with anger. Without a doubt, I came across an extremely unprofessional dentist; after looking at my enamel, she, in principle, should have dissuaded me from the procedure, especially since I lived quietly without her, and it was not a vital necessity. However, since, according to the information received from my would-be dentist, every fourth person in the world has such enamel, be careful.

I do not recommend this type of whitening. Save your nerves, time and money.

Rishana

https://irecommend.ru/content/moe-obektivnoe-mnenie

So I decided to have a teeth whitening procedure. I made an appointment, and only at the appointment I found out that whitening would be carried out with this system.

To be honest, I was a little afraid, because... Everyone writes that the procedure is painful and increased sensitivity is possible.

The procedure involves applying a whitening gel to the teeth. But they didn’t shine any lamp on me. During 1 session, the gel was applied twice for half an hour.

During the procedure itself, I did not feel any unpleasant sensations at all. Perhaps my enamel is not entirely sensitive. I was waiting for this “shooting” pain that everyone writes about, but no. At all. Nothing.

Result.

To be honest, I was a little shocked, in the bad sense of the word.

My teeth whitened by 2 shades maximum. Almost insignificant. But the worst thing is the unevenness. Oh Horror….. Spots. In some places they were whitened, in others they were not, but on the lower tooth half of the tooth became the color of porcelain. The front teeth became somewhat dull.

When viewed closely, this unevenness does not catch the eye, but up close......The spectacle is not for the faint of heart.

What killed me the most was this unevenness, although here you need to realize that this is bleaching, and no one can guarantee what the result will be.

On the same day I bought Rox sensational whitening paste, according to reviews. So that it would be possible to at least somehow maintain this effect and remove what has not been bleached enough (I’ll write a review about it later after I test it).

Has sensitivity appeared? No. On the same day I drank ice Sprite and 0. It was as if I had done nothing. Maybe she will appear later...

I do not rule out the fact that the procedure requires a cumulative effect and, of course, financial costs.

Think about it. Do you need it?

I'm just shocked. After a few days, my teeth returned to their previous color. This whiteness, although uneven, is gone. Now they are the same as before. At the same time, I don’t drink coffee at all, and I’ve given up tea. I wanted to maintain the effect with an expensive paste from Rox, but the effect disappeared altogether.

Sensitivity did not appear. I also add short-term effect to the disadvantages. In my case it's a couple of days. Not even a week has passed. Why this is so I don’t know.

Conclusion: I won’t do whitening anymore. It's a great waste of money.

If anyone decides to do whitening, it should not be with this system.

And remember that whitening is such an unpredictable procedure - the effect may be visible, but for some it may not be there at all.

Opalescence systems for home whitening

Opalescence PF

This complex contains sodium fluoride and potassium nitrate. These components help not only make teeth whiter, but also strengthen their enamel.
Opalescence PF is suitable for those whose tooth enamel has darkened due to smoking and eating food containing dyes.

There are three complexes to choose from with different active substance contents - 10%, 15% and 20%. Usually, the choice is based on the condition of the teeth.

The gel contains water. This helps prevent enamel dehydration during the procedure.

For your information! The duration of exposure of the trays is 8-10 hours. The cost of the complex varies between 3000-6000 rubles.

TresWhite Supreme

The composition of this gel is almost the same as in the version described above.

But here the manufacturers have added one nice thing - you can choose the flavor of the gel (peach, raspberry, mint, melon). This fact makes the manipulation more enjoyable.

The bleach is available in two concentrations - 10 and 15 percent.

It is worth noting that a gel with a 15% concentration of the substance is found only with mint flavor, but in gels with a 10% concentration you can choose flavors.

One set includes 10 trays , which must be worn on the teeth for an hour. The duration of the course is 10 days.

Therefore, to completely whiten all teeth you will need two sets . The advantages of such mouthguards are their elasticity, which allows them to be worn even on deformed teeth.

One set costs 4,500 rubles.

TresWhite Ortho Mint

You should know! The main advantage of this complex is the ability to whiten teeth even with orthodontic structures. In addition to teeth discoloration, they are disinfected.

The kit includes ready-made trays with gel. The duration of their exposure on the teeth is 1 hour.

One such set costs about 6,000 rubles.

Follow-Up Kit

This complex does not differ in composition from the previous ones.
The only difference is the reduced content of the active substance. The Follow-Up Kit is most suitable for maintaining snow-white enamel after procedures in a professional setting.

This set costs 5,000 rubles.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the toothpaste from Opalescence . You won't be able to whiten your teeth with it alone. But it will help maintain the whitening effect in the clinic .

The paste also has strengthening and anti-inflammatory properties.

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.

Benefits of Opalescence whitening

Keep in mind! Among the positive aspects of lightening tooth enamel using such a system are:

• The safest technology for teeth and the entire oral cavity.
• The enamel is not destroyed during the procedure.
• Relatively low cost.
• The opportunity to whiten your teeth either with a professional or on your own.
• A simple algorithm for use at home.
• Long-term retention of results.
• The ability to choose not only the concentration of the gel, but even its taste.
• When using complexes for home use, there is no need for additional equipment.
• Water prevents dehydration, and minerals strengthen the enamel.

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.

Disadvantages of the procedure

Need to know! Despite the fact that there are more advantages to using this technology, there are also disadvantages to this procedure:

• No complex can ensure permanent preservation of snow-white tooth enamel. Therefore, the procedure will need to be repeated periodically.
• The gel contains many elements, which makes it impossible to carry out the procedure for a person who is allergic to at least one component of the complex.
• It will not be possible to make the denture whiter, since such teeth do not change their shade at all.
• After whitening, the enamel may become more sensitive.

Precautionary measures

Like any effective drug, the home whitening system has a number of limitations that are important to inform the patient.

• Each tray is intended for one-time use and cannot be re-installed.
• The gel used for whitening should not be swallowed.
• Veneers, restoration surfaces and crowns are not bleached.
• Immediately after the procedure, the enamel may be sensitive to acidic foods, so they should be avoided.

Reviews

Below are some reviews. If you have something to say, leave your feedback in the comments below the article, it will be useful to our readers.

Alina.

I consulted a dentist, who recommended the Opalescence complex instead of hardware whitening. Used it at home. Very convenient - I put on the lubricated mouth guards and went to bed. After the course, my teeth really became more sensitive, so I started using fluoride gel for the second time.

Elena.

The duration of my course was 10 days. Sleeping with mouth guards in my mouth was very uncomfortable. But the worst began in the morning. Firstly, it is not so easy to wash the gel off your teeth, so this took a lot of time. Secondly, there was a constant aching pain that could only be relieved with painkillers. The effect lasted about a year, but I won’t do the whitening again.

Christina.

I whitened my teeth with Opalescence two years ago. I was very pleased with the effect. My teeth did not become sensitive. Maybe because I kept the trays on for only 4 hours instead of the required 10. After bleaching, I followed a month-long diet: I did not eat foods with a high content of dyes.