Question:
Many of the products avail. to the average consumer contain the same
ingredients as the whitening agent one can get from the dentist. Are
these kits effective? Are boil and bite mouthpieces able to do the
same job as mouthpieces form a dentist?
Answer:
Check the labels on the OTC products. Do they contain an
acid-peroxide? If the "active ingredient" is a fluoride, it is not
going to do the job that the dentist supplied or recommended products
contain. The most effective products contain carbamide peroxide.
As far as the boil it yourself mouth pieces, you can't improve upon the
technique of making impressions and plaster casts of the patients teeth
and vacuum forming a bleaching tray to fit. It is just a lot more
accurate. For bleaching trays, less bleaching material is used per
session with better fitting trays.
Sounds like this patient would like to do tooth whitening "on a
budget." Sure, most, but not all dentists can do it better, but many
dentists are using carbamide peroxide, just like Vanna White is.
(Shhhhh---- carbamide peroxide in glycerine is sold as Gly-oxide).
I might suggest that if you are considering an expensive, professional
job, ask the dentist exactly how his technique differs from the
over-the-counter job. It may be a bargain to pay the dentist for
professional care!
