Opalescence Teeth Whitening
What Is Opalescence?
The product is actually called Opalescence Xtra Boost, a product of Ultradent Inc., and is a teeth whitening procedure that involves a carbamine peroxide gel that is applied to the teeth in a variety of different ways. After visiting your dentist and ensuring that your teeth have been thoroughly cleaned you can decide which Opalescence treatment is right for you.
Opalescence Provides 3 Options
There is an in-chair procedure available that is carried out in the dentist’s office, followed by a take home follow-up treatment to use for the few days after your in-office treatment. The Opalescence Xtra Boost involves a chemical activation applied directly to the teeth with no heat or ultraviolet lamps needed to complete the process. This treatment will only take an hour in the dentist’s chair.
Alternatively, you can buy a customised home use kit which comes in a variety of strengths. The dentist will take an impression of your teeth which will allow a custom tray to be made which will be used for the bleaching procedure. This process may take around a week to 10 days in total depending upon the desired results and the advice of your dentist.
Opalescence also has an over the counter option known as Opalescence Treswhite Supreme, which is a preloaded whitening tray that is inserted into the mouth for a 60 minute treatment. The trays contain high concentrations of peroxide and come in packs of 10, contain low levels of hydrogen peroxide so are safe to use and have a range of flavours.
The Opalescence home tooth whitening gel utilises a syringe and tray. The adhesive texture of the Opalescence gel ensures that it adheres strongly to the surface of your teeth, reducing the possibility of leaking, which is sometimes a problem with other products. The product information highlights that the structure of the tooth is not altered by the Opalescence treatment, it is simply made whiter.
Cost of Opalescence Teeth Whitening
In-Chair Treatment: A 60 minute treatment will cost around $280 – $300 per session. It may be possible that follow-up in-chair treatments will be recommended.
Take Home Whitening : Custom made trays and a professional grade gel that you can use to whiten during the day or night. Treatment can take anywhere from 5 to 20 days depending on the starting shade and the resulting whiteness required. The gel comes in syringes which cost around $35 per syringe. A full take home treatment can cost around $400.
Opalescence Treswhite Over the Counter Treatment: A pack of 10 lower and upper pre-formed and pre-filled trays cost $150. Each of the 10 trays are meant to be used for 1 hour each.
As with all other whitening systems it is strongly recommended to consult with a dentist before undergoing any treatment to determine that whitening is a procedure that will give you the results you want.
Check more Teeth Whitening options.
Teeth Whitening Using Porcelain Veneers
Apart from the cleaning and bleaching teeth whitening options, there is another method which can be very effective and long-lasting, that of having porcelain veneers affixed.
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are thin layers of glass-like ceramic that are placed over the surface of the tooth and bonded with a resin cement. The surface of the porcelain veneers closely resemble natural tooth enamel.
Porcelain Veneers Do More Than Simply Whiten Teeth
Although one of the benefits of putting in porcelain veneers is the appearance that you have had your teeth whitened, this is only one of the effects you will see. Porcelain veneers also cover cracked or chipped teeth, effectively straighten crooked teeth and fill in gaps between teeth. You’re left with a brighter, natural looking smile.
Porcelain Veneers Will Permanently Change Your Teeth
Although porcelain veneers are a covering over the top of your teeth, having them installed will permanently change your teeth. This is because the cosmetic dentist will buff the surface of your teeth to remove around half a millimetre of enamel. This is so the porcelain veneers don’t increase the thickness of the front face of the teeth which could change the shape of your face.
Porcelain Veneers Look Natural
Because they are translucent, porcelain veneers look as natural as normal teeth. Just as light penetrates a tooth’s enamel exterior and reflects off the opaque tooth dentin inside, the same effect takes place with porcelain veneers. What this means is that there should be no way of knowing that someone is looking at porcelain veneers rather than normal healthy teeth.
How Long Will Porcelain Veneers Last?
Porcelain veneers typically last between 10 – 15 years and are largely resistant to staining. Veneers made of composite material are available and they are relatively easy to repair whereas porcelain veneers have a tendency to fracture and if they do have to be replaced, it could be difficult to match the colour with the remaining teeth. This could mean that several porcelain veneers may need to be replaced at a time.
Cost of Porcelain Veneers
The cost of having porcelain veneers fitted will vary, but it won’t come cheap, generally falling in the range of $700 – $2000 per tooth.
You can find out more regional specific information at places like Los Angeles Porcelain Veneers for the west coast and New York Porcelain Veneers for the east.
This is only one of the teeth whitening options available and discussed on these pages. For more teeth whitening choices please visit the main page.
