For a whiter, brighter smile that dentists recommend, look no further than - the market leader in whitening for over 25 years. We spoke to the brand to find out more about their products.
1. Firstly, what is Opalescence?
Opalescence is a professional teeth whitening system with In-Office, Take-Home and On-the-Go whitening options to meet the needs of all types of lifestyles and budgets. Our powerful in-office whitening (Boost) is a one hour procedure performed at your dentist’s office. Our take home whitening Opalescence PF comes in many concentrations and flavours depending on your preference and requires custom trays made by your dentist to fit your smile. The Opalescence Go is the newest and most advanced whitening technology. With its patented thermal plastic tray, which comes pre-filled with the whitening gel, you have the options to use it on the go wherever you are. The trays are worn from 15 minutes to an hour and discarded after use.
2. How does teeth whitening work?
Stains on teeth can be classified in one of two ways: extrinsic or intrinsic. Extrinsic stains appear on the surface of your teeth. Intrinsic stains live between the microcracks in your enamel and deep within your dentin (the layer of your tooth underneath your enamel). Whitening toothpastes and mouth rinses may be able to remove some of the extrinsic stains on your teeth. But only teeth whitening agents can remove the stubborn extrinsic stains and the unsightly intrinsic stains that cause your teeth to look discoloured.
Opalescence gels contain an active whitening ingredient (either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide) that penetrates your enamel to get to discoloured molecules. Oxygen molecules from the whitening agents react with the discoloured molecules in your teeth, breaking the bonds that hold them together. The oxygen molecules spread, whitening the entire tooth. As a result, you are left with a brighter, whiter smile.
3. What is the difference between over the counter and professional whitening?
There are a variety of over the counter (OTC) whitening products on the market that range from strips to paint-on pens. Some of these products will whiten the teeth somewhat, while others do not make any change to the colour of the teeth. Strips and trays may whiten only the front six teeth due to their design and depending on your smile, causing the shade to be uneven. Whitening pens and other paint-on whitening products have been shown to mainly remove extrinsic stains and do not change the colour of the teeth. In fact some of these products have been shown to etch the teeth - something you definitely want to leave to your dentist!
With OTC products, you can pick one up without getting an examination by a dental professional prior to use. This may sound like a great idea, but you should know that by taking the dental professional out of the treatment process, OTC products open the door for misuse.
A professional analysis will give you:
- A chance to determine any sensitivity and significant stains
- Review the different whitening options to determine which whitening approach best fits within your expectations, needs, and budget
- Benefits like sensitivity prevention and fluoride
Professionally administered whitening is the best way to ensure you'll receive the results you're looking for.
4. How long do results usually last with teeth whitening?
Results can last forever, as long as you get your teeth cleaned every six months and keep up with your maintenance. Here’s our official answer: Teeth whitening results are very stable, leaving you with a stunning smile long after treatment is over. However, there are a few factors that can make teeth lose their lustre. Things like genetics, diet, age, some medications (like tetracycline), and certain habits (like smoking) may affect the length of your whitening results. Fortunately, touch-up treatments are quick and easy, helping you get that bright, white smile back.
5. Does it weaken teeth?
Teeth whitening is perfectly safe for those with healthy teeth. Opalescence tooth whitening gel contains PF (potassium nitrate and fluoride), which helps maintain the health of enamel throughout the whitening process.
6. Where can Opalescence be purchased in NZ?
From any dentist. We will soon have a dentist finder website, but all dentists have access to Opalescence and can get it for their patients if they don’t already have it in stock.
