About Bleaching
At-Home Instructions
Tips for Administering At-Home Bleaching
Syringe-delivered carbamide peroxide in concentrations of 10% to 16% have been in use by dental professionals since 1990. It has been established that the efficacy of a bleaching treatment is a product of time (the length of time the bleaching material remains in contact with the teeth), concentration (the percent of active ingredient), and, to a certain extent, viscosity (determines the rate at which bleaching material leeches out of the tray or is broken down by saliva). It has been found that the higher the concentration of active ingredient, all other factors remaining the same, the faster the bleaching process will be and the deeper will be the lightening realized.
Life-Like Cosmetic Solutions offers at-home, carbamide peroxide concentrations of 10%, 15%, 20%, and 30%. The 30% will allow many bleaching treatments to be complete within about seven days of treatment per arch, as opposed to the more typical ten to twelve days for 10% or 15% solutions. The higher percentage of carbamide peroxide will reduce the bleaching process time substantially for normal staining. This will provide a more satisfying result for those patients with particularly heavy staining.Use a .040 clear, soft stent. Make sure that the mouth tray is scalloped so the tray does not overlap more than 1/2 mm on the soft tissue. While the stent is still on the model, draw a line with a ball point pen at the junction of soft tissue and the teeth -- facially and lingually. Take the stent off, then trim -- using this line as the cutting guide.
Demonstrate the calibrations of the Seal-Syringe to patients in the office and be sure to instruct them to place no more than 1/4 cc of bleach material in the tray. Have patients apply 1/4 cc of bleaching material into the tray and keep the tray in their mouth for twenty minutes to an one-hour (depending on percentage). Suggested applications are twice each day.
If a patient should experience pulpal sensitivity -- it is expected that this material's rate of sensitivity will remain in step with the general rate for lesser concentrations of carbamide peroxide (less than 5%) -- have the patient discontinue treatment for 24 to 48 hours and then resume at half dose (one 1-hour to 1-hour and 45 minute treatments of 1/4 cc in a 24 hour period).
For best results, keep all peroxide gels refrigerated to extend their shelf life up to two years.
