Opalescence Teeth Whitening: How It Works and Where to Buy
Table of Contents
- What Is Opalescence?
- How It Works
- How to Use Their Kits
- Who Is a Candidate?
- Where to Buy
- Costs
- Are There Side Effects?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Opalescence teeth whitening is a doctor-directed therapy that comes in several forms, including toothpaste and gels, and in different concentrations and flavors. Each one contains potassium nitrate and fluoride. The fluoride reinforces the natural structure of teeth and enhances the dental benefits of the product.
Opalescence teeth whitening kits offer you flexible options for how they whiten teeth, so you can incorporate your favorite one into your lifestyle.
While tooth whitening products can improve the look of your smile, they do come with some drawbacks, and they aren’t right for everyone. Talk with your dentist about the risks and benefits before you use anything to brighten your teeth.
What Is Opalescence?
Opalescence is an award-winning band of teeth whitening products. These products are available in many different forms, including toothpaste and gels. Many are also available in different concentrations and flavors.
Consumers and private dental practices throughout the world have used these teeth whitening products extensively for more than two decades.
They are considered safe, effective and reliable, making them an excellent choice for anyone hoping to lighten their teeth by a few shades.
How Does It Work?
Teeth whitening works by removing discolorations from the outer surface of your tooth enamel, giving you a whiter smile.
Ingredients in Opalescence teeth whitening products include the following:
Stain removers: Hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide oxidize the organic matrix of your enamel and dentin, safely breaking down and removing the stains and discolorations.
Treatment enhancers: Opalescence Teeth Whitening Systems also use a patented formula that contains potassium nitrate and fluoride. This combination of ingredients has a sticky texture that helps the products stay in place during treatment and provides additional user comfort.
Tooth protectors: Fluoride reinforces the natural structure of teeth and enhances the dental benefits of the product.
In a study conducted on teeth stained with red wine for 14 days, researchers used several different types of whitening products. They found that Opalescence was effective in removing the stains and brightening the teeth. Additionally, they found that the product also increased the hardness of the teeth without causing any surface roughness.
Studies like this suggest that Opalescence is an effective option. And since it’s prescribed and directed by a doctor, you can get help if something goes wrong. You may not get that help from a product you buy at a pharmacy or grocery store.
How to Use Opalescence Teeth Whitening Kits
Opalescence teeth whitening kits offer you flexible options for teeth whitening. This means you can perform teeth whitening in a manner that best fits your lifestyle.
This chart can help you understand the basics of each Opalescence teeth whitening product:
Product | Features | Benefits | Who Is It For? |
Toothpaste | Clean your teeth while whitening them at the same time | Whitens up to two shares in two weeks | People who need a minor adjustment to their smile |
Opalescence Go | Use a gel and a tray to whiten your teeth | Use only once per day for 10 days or until the desired shade | People who can wear a premade tray comfortably and want a whiter smile |
Opalescence PF | Use a gel and a tray made just for your teeth | Can make your smile up to 45% brighter | People who can’t wear a premade tray or who need more significant whitening |
Opalescence Boost | Visit your dentist for a treatment to whiten your teeth | Each visit takes about 20 minutes, and you only need two or three | People who don’t want to hassle with gels and products at home |
Opalescence Toothpaste is a daily whitening toothpaste. The product uses a unique tri-silica blend to actively remove surface stains. Opalescence toothpaste is less abrasive than many other whitening toothpastes and can be used on a daily basis without harming your tooth enamel. Use it to brush your teeth thoroughly for at least two minutes twice a day.
Opalescence Go is a gel-based whitening product that includes a flexible pre-made application tray. It is available in two flavors and two different concentrations.
Opalescence Go must be applied once a day for 15-20 minutes (for the 15% concentration option) or 30-60 minutes (for the 10% concentration option) for 10 days or until you achieve your desired shade. To use it:
Remove the product from the packaging. The trays are labeled U and L for the upper and lower teeth respectively.
Position the upper tray on your upper teeth, bite firmly and suck on the tray for 2 seconds.
Remove the colored outer tray and leave the white inner tray on your teeth.
Repeat the above process for the lower tray.
Remove the teeth whitening trays after the indicated wear time has elapsed.
Opalescence PF is a gel-based custom whitening kit. It is available in three flavors and five different concentrations. Each kit includes a custom-made tray used to apply the product.
Opalescence PF must be applied once a day for 10 days or until you achieve your desired shade. The products must be worn for different amounts of time depending on the gel concentration:
10% (8 to 10 hours)
15% (4 to 6 hours)
20% (2 to 4 hours)
35% (30 to 60 minutes)
45% (15 to 20 minutes)
Opalescence Boost is an in-office teeth whitening treatment that must be applied by a qualified dental professional. It is administered in two or three 20-minute applications for a total treatment time of one hour. This is the most powerful Opalescence product and produces the most noticeable results.
Who Is a Candidate?
Anyone with stained teeth because of age, smoking, food and drink consumption or other factors can benefit from Opalescence whitening products. It is safe for adults of all ages to use but is not approved for use by children.
If you have gum disease, cavities, thin or worn enamel, or exposed roots, you may be at greater risk for teeth whitening side effects like sensitivity and gum irritation. Consult your dentist first before using any teeth whitening products to minimize any potential risks.
Where to Buy
Opalescence recommends purchasing their products directly from your dentist or a licensed dental professional. The company’s Find a Dentist tool can help you locate a dentist near you that offers Opalescence teeth whitening products. You can also buy their products from various online platforms, including:
Costs
The cost of Opalescence whitening toothpaste ranges between $9 and $27. Opalescence Go prefilled teeth whitening trays cost between $60 and $75. Opalescence teeth whitening gel syringes cost around $30 for a four-syringe pack. Eight-syringe and 12-syringe packs are also available for $60 and $90 respectively.
Are There Side Effects of Opalescence Teeth Whitening?
Opalescence products are clinically proven to whiten your teeth. For example, in a study that compared Opalescence tray products with other bleaching products, researchers found that both groups had significant improvements in tooth color, and the Opalescence group had teeth that were significantly less yellow than those who used another brand.
However, that improvement can come with some side effects.
In that same study, researchers found that people had much more sensitive teeth after whitening. The researchers defined this problem as “transient,” which seems to suggest it improves in time. However, they didn’t mention how long the recovery might take.
In a second study, researchers placed teeth in Opalescence solutions for long periods to see what damage might be caused. They found that all four Opalescence product types damaged the enamel, and the problem was closely tied to how long the treatment lasted.
In a third study, researchers gave volunteers treatment with Opalescence products or another tooth bleaching system. They found that Opalescence caused significantly more tooth hypersensitivity than the other product (Crest Whitestrips), but Opalescence caused less gum sensitivity.
A clear dental assessment should come before any Opalescence treatment. Your doctor can tell you if your teeth are ready for this form of care, and you can discuss the risks and benefits together. An approach like this is the safest way to improve your smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Opalescence is an effective professional-grade teeth whitening kit. When you use the products as directed by your dentist, they produce good results. Many dental professionals across the globe use and recommend Opalescence for teeth whitening.
All dental bleaching products can produce side effects with excessive exposure, including enamel damage, gum irritation, and tooth sensitivity. Follow the instructions on the packaging to prevent these problems.
Opalescence Whitening Toothpaste and Opalescence PF produce visible results (up to two shades of improvement) in 30 days. Opalescence Go produces results after 10 days. The in-office Opalescence Boost treatment produces visible results immediately after your one-hour treatment session.