Whitening Gel Strength Myth
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Just because a whitening gel has a higher Hydrogen Peroxide percentage does not make it whiten any better. Hydrogen Peroxide is simply Hydrogen Peroxide, it does NOT have a strength percentage.
So why do Whitening Gels have a percentage like 6 percent, or 12 percent?
Well, it simply means the amount of hydrogen peroxide that has been added BY WEIGHT to the carrier gel.
The Hydrogen Peroxide strength remains EXACTLY the same. Only the WEIGHT of Hydrogen Peroxide within the overall formula changes.
That is why Tooth Bleaching is based upon the gel’s EFFICACY, rather than Hydrogen Peroxide percentage.
EFFICACY is the whitening Gels ability to cause the desired effect. Efficacy is a combination based on SEVEN critical factors:
1. Hydrogen Peroxide by weight within the formula. It has nothing to do with the whitening ‘strength’ (efficacy) of the gel
2. Whether the Whitening gel is catalytically activated. The degree that the Hydrogen Peroxide is photo-excited after mixing with an activation catalyst.
That means an activation catalyst is mixed into the formula via a special mixing tip attached to a dual-barrel syringe. This hyper excites the gel increasing its ability to bleach stains within the tooth enamel.
3. Heat. A slight warmth from the machine’s light head causes the OSMO gel catalyst to work more effectively with the gel, without any discomfort to the client.
The slight body heat warmth from the device, rather than cold air, reduces over-salivation and coughing often associated with old cold blue light machines. Having a natural warmth within the oral cavity helps the client relax.
4. Strength of the Luminance radiance from the machine’s light head. Luminance is measured as LUX.
5. The Whitening machines’ light frequency is measured in nanometers.
Between 480-520 nm, that is, just below UV works best with Catalytically activated whitening gels.
7. The time the whitening gel is upon the teeth. Too long can induce sensitivity. Too short and results are less than they could be.
That is why the Australian Teeth Whitening Training Academy course is essential. Ignorance is NOT bliss.
That means staining particles deep within the tooth enamel are surrounded more effectively, therefore, producing up to two shades of whiter teeth in just 36-minutes.
In summary,
The EFFICACY of OSMO catalytically excited 6% whitening gel when used with the BEYOND II ULTRA, or POLUS ULTRA whitening accelerator devices, produces results comparable with pure 35% whitening gels that are 580% more caustic
All a higher percentage of Hydrogen Peroxide whitening gel does is increase the risk of sensitivity, gum blanching, gum irritation, and swollen lips. For example, doubling a 6%HP gel to 12% DOUBLES the risk of sensitivity, Old 35% almost always caused painful sensitivity
In other words, you risk harming your client.
No Professional wants that.
DENTIST PROFESSIONALS AGREE
“It’s scary what risks people will take in search of the next great brightening method, especially when research has shown that whitening with a 6% solution is just as effective as using a more powerful formula, without the dangerous side effects”
Source American Dental Association
Dr. Adam S. Harwood, DMD Todays Dental News
Dr. Harwood is a graduate of the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine with an advanced degree in endodontics. He was the first endodontist in New York to use a surgical operating microscope. Also, he is a member of the ADA and a specialist member of the American Association of Endodontists. He has taught endodontics at the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, New York University School of Dentistry, and the Metropolitan Hospital Center
