• There are many causes of tooth staining. Certain medicines, tooth trauma, root fillings, and foods and beverages can cause tooth discoloration over time. Some discolorations are superficial, while others are internal. Both can be effectively treated by a dentist.

  • Opalescence whitening gels contain an active whitening ingredient, wither carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide.

    Peroxide gels break down into water, oxygen, and reactive oxygen molecules. These reactive oxygen molecules treat both the enamel and the dentin, oxidizing the bonds of discolored stain molecules. By changing the discolored stain molecules, the tooth becomes whiter.

    The reactive oxygen molecules permeate throughout the tooth, so there is no need for the entire tooth to be in contact with the whitening agent for the entire tooth to be whitened.

  • Whitening results are very stable, but depending on the patient’s nutrition and lifestyle habits, the procedure may need to be redone periodically. Due to the safety of the whitening agents, this should not concern the dentist or patient.

  • Tooth sensitivity can occur as a result of whitening. If sensitivity occurs, it is transient and disappears after the completion of whitening treatments.

  • Opalescence has not been shown to weaken tooth enamel.

  • Even though whitening agents release a great amount of oxygen into the tooth, existing bonds are not weakened.

    If whitening before bonding, allow a period of 7–10 days after whitening. The high concentration of oxygen in the tooth could significantly and adversely affect polymerization of the resins.