How is the Opalescence Treatment Performed?
Opalescence® whitening gel contains 38% hydrogen peroxide and potassium nitrate. This gel is used during the in-office treatment, after which patients will receive a gel and toothpaste that contain lower concentrations of the formula for at-home use. The Opalescence® whitening gel is considerably thick, ensuring that there is minimal mess during the application and treatment process.
The procedure involves the following steps:
- A full cleaning is performed to remove any excess debris from the surface of the teeth
- Photographs of the teeth are taken prior to the treatment to have a record of their initial color
- A cheek retractor is inserted in order to better illuminate key teeth in the mouth
- A resin is applied to the gums to keep them protected throughout the treatment process
- The first coating of Opalescence ® whitening gel is applied to the teeth for approximately 15 minutes
- The gel is then suctioned off of the teeth so that the practitioner can monitor the whitening process
- Additional gel is applied and left on for 15 minutes
- The gel is then removed again
- The mouth is thoroughly rinsed before the final round of gel is applied
- The mouth is then thoroughly cleaned and post-treatment photos are taken in order to assess the state of the teeth
In some cases, the dentist will choose to expedite the whitening process by using a specialized light, which is applied for about 30 seconds for every gel application. The entire procedure, including the initial cleaning, typically lasts no more than 90 minutes.
