What is Opalescence Teeth Whitening?
Opalescence has an array of teeth whitening products used for both in-office whitening treatments and for at-home usage. The brand has been a leading name in teeth whitening for years.
To treat tooth discoloration, Opalescence products range from whitening toothpastes and kits that you can try comfortably at home to highly professional whitening systems used by dentists in dental clinics.
Teeth will discolor due to many factors like lifestyle habits, medications, trauma, or underlying dental conditions. Smoking, drinking coffee, tea, soda, and high consumption of other carbonated beverages paired with a lack of oral hygiene are primary reasons teeth discoloration occurs. Tooth stains caused by these habits can be removed by highly powerful bleaching hydrogen peroxide ingredients that is used in Opalescence teeth whitening.
However, stains that are deeper in enamel (outer layer of teeth) and dentine (inner layer) require more intensive teeth whitening treatments. The hard-to-remove stains can be eliminated more easily through in-office Opalescence whitening system or Opalescence take-home kits provided by dentists.
How does Opalescence teeth whitening work?
Opalescence uses professional dental-grade whitening formula that match any needs and preferences. It is recommended to visit your dentist to know what Opalescence products or method is right for you. Generally, teeth discoloration is removed by either oxidization with bleaching agents or by abrasives.
Common bleaching agents that are used in dentistry are hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. What peroxide does is to break down the tooth stains with oxygen molecules and dissolve the stains formed on teeth, which is called oxidizing. Different Opalescence teeth whitening systems contain different levels of peroxides to whiten teeth. In addition to hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, Opalescence has added potassium nitrate and fluoride as part of the ingredients. Potassium nitrate is a desensitizing agent and is used in the whitening gel to reduce teeth sensitivity and irritations that normally occur during teeth whitening.
Fluoride is a well-known tooth remineralizing ingredient which is found in oral hygiene products like toothpastes, too. Fluoride strengthens enamel and mineralize teeth that are affected by bleaching agents. Created by professional whitening formula, opalescence works out effectively and deeply to remove stains and yellowing on your teeth. Keep in mind that Opalescence do not use light-activation methods such as the blue LED light devices.
Treatment planning for teeth whitening
If you are looking to whiten your teeth and remove tooth stains and yellowing in a professional and safer way, visiting a licensed dentist is always recommended.
Dentists will first do thorough examinations on teeth and mouth to rule out the possibility of any sign of gum diseases or any dental condition. If you are the right candidate, teeth whitening treatment is scheduled. In case you need a restoration like dental bonding with composite or other dental procedures, you are warned that teeth whitening should be done beforehand to match better with your restorations and prevent uneven color shade teeth.
If you already have dental work like a crown, fillings or veneers in your mouth, your dentists will inform that teeth whitening does not whiten these dental works. Therefore, whitening teeth is done for your natural remaining teeth.
Review on products offered by Opalescence
Opalescence Boost: in-office teeth whitening procedure
Your dentist uses Opalescence Boost®, which is a widely used whitening system, to whiten your teeth during in-office treatment. Opalescence is a leading brand in professional teeth whitening and dentists have been using Opalescence Boost as their whitening system worldwide. The product is made with noticeable hydrogen peroxide concentration (40 %) to carry out a thorough stain-removing procedure and accomplish professional whitening effects.
Your dentist will do every preparation that is necessary to start the treatment. Depending on the tooth discoloration and the type of stains, you are reminded that you may need more or less dental sessions for your teeth whitening. Then your dentist discusses the shade and amount of whiteness that you need.
After that, your teeth are cleaned and your dentist uses some material (resin barrier) to protect your gum against the hydrogen peroxide bleach which may touch soft tissue and cause burns. Your dentist starts applying the Opalescence Boost whitening gel made of hydrogen peroxide ingredient. The gel will remain for around 20 minutes on your teeth. After each application, the whitening gel is suctioned and replaced with a new one for another 20-minute period. This process may take 1 hour or more depending on stains or when desired results are reached. Your dentist monitors the amount of progress and may or may not schedule another dental appointment.
It is clear that significant changes appear on your teeth. As said, whitening gel is mixed with potassium nitrate and fluoride to help reduce sensitivity and strengthen teeth.
You can also continue the teeth whitening at home with take-home kits prescribed by your dentists.
Cost: $500 per visit but may vary from dentist to dentist and treatment to treatment
Opalescence PF Custom Tray Whitening: dentist-dispensed take-home teeth whitening
If you are looking for a customized teeth whitening kit to brighten your smile, you can use Opalescence PF that is prescribed by dentists. Your dentist or dental specialist can offer Opalescence PF, which you can use to whiten your teeth at home. It is a great DIY whitening option dispensed by dentists.
This unique take-home kit comes with a customized tray (moldable Soft Tray sheets), which you make and fit on your teeth. There are prefilled syringes containing carbamide peroxide whitening gel to apply. You simply load the recommended whitening gel into the tray using the syringes and tap the custom tray on your teeth. Remove the excess gel and make sure that you wear the tray according to the instructions provided.
Additionally, this product offers three different flavors (regular, melon and mint tastes) to choose from and to give you a soothing and enjoyable whitening experience.
Opalescence PF whitening gel comes with five different carbamide concentrations and each require a different length of time. This flexibility in time and concentration satisfies better with your needs. You can choose the least time-taking package with only 15 minutes daily application or you can try the overnight whitening kit.
Cost: $75 to $100
Opalescence Go: at-home teeth whitening kit
Opalescence Go™ uses hydrogen peroxide as active whitening ingredient to remove stains and whiten teeth. The whitening gel still contains potassium nitrate and fluoride to decrease your teeth sensitivity and have a much comfortable whitening treatment at home. For better convenience and no more additional work, Opalescence Go teeth whitening kit comes with prefilled UltraFit whitening trays, allowing for an easy fit tray over teeth and ensuring better exposure to the whitening gel.
Follow the recommended 5 to 10 days treatment time to achieve a brighter smile and whiter teeth. There are two hydrogen peroxide percentages available: one with 10% hydrogen peroxide which require 30 to 60 minutes daily wearing and another with 15% hydrogen peroxide that needs daily wear of 15 to 20 minutes.
Opalescence Go teeth whitening kit is powered by hydrogen peroxide to offer faster and more effective results. Like all other Opalescence systems, there is no LED light in this whitening kit. It is an easy-to-use kit designed for at-home whitening while keeping to its professional level science. This product is also flavored with mint and melon, making your home treatment more pleasing.
Cost: $50 to $80
Opalescence whitening toothpaste
Available in two types of toothpastes (Original and Sensitivity Relief), Opalescence whitening toothpastes are another at-home teeth whitening product. Generally, toothpastes use an abrasive mechanism to physically remove stains and whiten teeth. Opalescence uses milder abrasive like silica ingredient that offers a much gentler whitening experience.
As the company claims, the Opalescence toothpastes can lighten up stains up to 2 shades in one month. You can combine the toothpaste with other professional Opalescence teeth whitening kits for much more dramatic and longer-lasting whitened teeth.
Opalescence Original Whitening Toothpaste
Opalescence Original® whitening toothpaste contains sodium fluoride to fight against cavities and tooth decay. The toothpaste has xylitol ingredient, which is a well-known and non-sugar sweetener that has anticaries properties. This fluoride toothpaste is safe for everyday use. Beside the whitening power, it freshens up your breath with cool mint flavor and leaves a good smelling taste.
Cost: $23.99
Opalescence Whitening Toothpaste Sensitivity Relief
Designed to relive tooth sensitivity, this Opalescence whitening toothpaste has all the feature of the Original® toothpaste. It is formulated with sodium fluoride and xylitol and it specifically contains potassium nitrate to contribute to sensitivity issues while whitening teeth.
Use the product as your dentists recommends for a whiter tooth result. According to the manufacturer, you can brush your teeth twice daily in the morning and evening for one minute to eliminate surface stains and whiten up teeth for up to 2 shades in 30 days.
Remember an important tip by the company: Do not overuse this product. You should not prolong brushing with this toothpaste for more than 4 weeks or more than daily recommended time.
Cost: Check the price on Amazon or Walmart
Does Opalescence teeth whitening really work?
Yes, it does. Opalescence teeth whitening systems and kits are a brand-name and professional options in the market. The Opalescence products meet different needs and treat different tooth stains. It comes in various products and kits that are available in different bleaching formula. If used correctly and if you follow what your dentists recommend, you will have a safe whitening experience with Opalescence.
The highly potent hydrogen peroxide formula by Opalescence Boost® is used by dentists in treating stained teeth at dental clinics, while there are five different carbamide peroxide take-home system available in Opalescence PF Custom Tray to use. You can get significant whitening effects from their at-home kit, Opalescence Go, which is backed by hydrogen peroxide and comes in two different percentages (10% and 15%).
If you are not interested in strong bleaches and want just a brushing with whitening toothpaste, then you can try Opalescence whitening toothpaste.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) around Opalescence teeth whitening
It depends on the product and treatment you choose as well as the type of tooth discoloration you have. The fastest results are achieved with in-office Opalescence Boost kit in 1 or 2 sessions through your dentist’s procedure. The take-home Opalescence PF whitening system may take more home sessions. With Opalescence Go whitening kit, it may take 5 to 10 days for visible results to appear. Finally, the whitening toothpastes offered by Opalescence may give you whiter and brighter teeth in less than a month.
Teeth whitening requires aftercare and twice daily brushing and flossing to preserve the optimal results. After you have whitened your teeth, plaque buildups begin to form on teeth and leave discolorations. To keep your teeth in whiter and brighter shape and shade for long periods of time, regular oral hygiene alongside yearly touch-ups at dentist is a great way.
No, you can’t. Dental works such as veneers, dental bonding, dental crowns or fillings don’t respond to teeth whitening treatments. Teeth whitening products are designed to whiten natural teeth. If you have a dental work, you can still get your natural teeth whitened. It is better to consult with your dentist before whitening your teeth to prevent any uneven tooth color and shade in post-whitening results.
You can buy some of the Opalescence products through the official Opalescence website (opalescence.com), on Amazon or on Walmart.
For other products that require dental specialist examination and prescription, Opalescence’s find a dentist is a great way to begin with.
