How Carbamide Peroxide Gel Is Used In Teeth Whitening
There is much conjecture and testing done on the efficacy and safety of using carbamide peroxide as a teeth whitening agent in take home trays and over the counter whitening treatments. Studies have been done, clinical trials and blind tests have been performed and the general consensus is that while there are some side effects with using carbamide peroxide gel, a 10% strength whitener is safe to use.
In this particular case the carbamide peroxide gel is part of a tray-based tooth whitening system where the gel is contained and measures have been taken to ensure minimal to no contact is made to the gums. These tray-based systems have come to be more accepted by the dental community as a method of tooth whitening that can be controlled to a certain degree.
To answer the question of what exactly carbamide peroxide is. It is a compound variation of hydrogen peroxide that is combined with urea and is also known as hydrogen peroxide urea. It is a gel that has been found will safely whiten teeth without causing significant tooth sensitivity or gum damage. The reason that carbamide peroxide is used rather than hydrogen peroxide is that it is a more stable substance.
By degrading more slowly, carbamide peroxide teeth whiteners can release it’s whitening potential over a longer period of time. This slower release and more gradual whitening effect results in a minimization of adverse side effects.
The carbamide peroxide gels that are used in take home whitening trays usually contain a ratio of around 10-16% of carbamide peroxide. Any gel that contains a higher strength than that runs the risk of causing extreme sensitivity and damage to the gums. A 10% concentration of carbamide peroxide is thought to be a safe level and a recent clinical trial has also shown that there is little difference between a 10% concentration and a 16% concentration.
Some of the tooth whitening products that use carbamide peroxide as the active ingredient plus the concentration used include: DenTek Complete White Touch Up Formula (10%), Nupro White Gold Tooth Whitening (10%), Maximum White Teeth Whitening Kit (22%), Opalescence 15% Teeth Whitening Gel (15%).
