Opalescence Teeth Whitening Gel is sold by many dentists for home teeth whitening treatments, either for use after a professional chair-side whitening treatment to keep the teeth white and lovely, or just for home use.
This kit contains syringes of a 35% Carbamide Peroxide gel which is very strong. This converts to Hydrogen Peroxide when in use which performs the actual whitening. My means of comparison, in Europe the maximum strength of Hydrogen Peroxide permissible in a home teeth whitening treatment is 6% due to the potential for damage to the teeth and gums, but that is ONLY after a dentist has assessed the patient.
Using Opalescence Teeth Whitening Gel
The syringes are good for filling the mouth trays but it is important to apply a steady and constant pressure to get an even line. If not, when you put the trays in your mouth the gel will spill out onto the gums. The kit consists of the gel only. Mouth trays are not sold with the product and they MUST be made by a dentist to ensure a proper fit.
Since the gel is so strong it is important to discuss using the treatment with your dentist prior to starting your teeth whitening sessions. Your dentist needs to assess whether your teeth are suitable for this home teeth whitening treatment and you need to have an assessment of the health of the soft tissue in your mouth.
The typical time to wear the trays is between 30 minutes to 2 hours, but the length of time will be dictated by the sensitivity it causes.
Verdict on Opalescence Teeth Whitening Gel
Overall the gel is effective but is very strong for home use. It can all too easily cause extreme sensitivity and you have to be exceptionally careful not to get any on your gums. The instructions say to wipe any gel off your gums after putting your mouth tray in place, but it is not possible to get all the gel off easily with a toothbrush.
When dentists perform a chair side whitening treatment, strong solutions can be used safely as the gums are first protected so they do not get burnt from the Hydrogen Peroxide gel. If you use the Opalescence gel at home you risk really damaging your gums if extreme care is not taken.
It has been said already, but you really do need to get dentist-made mouth trays for use with the kit. Shop bought mouth trays do not mold well enough to the teeth and are unsuitable for use with such a strong Hydrogen Peroxide gel.
The cost of a dentist making the mouth trays is actually a considerable expense, even though the Opalescence gel is very reasonably priced. Add the cost of professionally made mouth trays to the gel and the total cost is in the region of $200 making it an expensive teeth whitening treatment. Do it cheaply and you are risking the health of your gums.
Summary Pro’s and Con’s of Opalescence Teeth Whitening Gel
Pros
- Cost is low if you already have dentist-made custom mouth trays
- Moderate to good teeth whitening effect
Cons
- The 35% Carbamide (Hydrogen) Peroxide whitening gel is very strong
- Not sold with a mouth tray – these need to be made by a dentist
- Cost including custom mouth trays is around $200 for the treatment
- Not suitable for people with sensitive teeth
- Extreme care must be taken not get the product on the gums – it can cause bad gum burns
