The process of teeth whitening is a chemical process, which involves the chemical composition of your enamel and how it interacts or reacts with the teeth whitening solution that we put on it. Teeth look white. This is because they, like all objects, reflect light at a certain degree. Each color we see is actually the brain interpreting the reflected natural light differently. For teeth, it is necessary to be more colorless so that there is not a disturbance in the reflection of the light to the brain. Stains and discoloration fundamentally work to distort the reflection of the light. We use a peroxide based solution that can penetrate deep into the core of the enamel. There it will work to release free radicals. These free radicals, once released into the organic chemical composition of the tooth's enamel, make the tooth appear to be more colorless and hence a brighter shade of white to your brain. We use a peroxide because we want to start this oxidization process quickly and safely. There are differences between what you can buy in the store to whiten your teeth, and the formula we use in the clinic based on the strength and peroxide content in the solution.
What you can buy in the store is a much weaker version of the teeth whitening we use. First it is hydrogen peroxide based. This is because hydrogen peroxide has a better, longer shelf life. Second the content of hydrogen peroxide is between 3% and 20%. The formula we use in the clinic is carbamide peroxide based. Carbamide peroxide has a 35% hydrogen peroxide content. Additionally we use a much more potent mix, which is between 15% and 43% carbamide based for quicker, more effective results.
