Professional in-office teeth whitening is the most popular cosmetic dental procedure in the world today. Unlike home-use whitening systems that incorporate low-dose bleaching agents, in-office whitening , also known as power bleaching or professional whitening, takes place under carefully monitored conditions which allow for the safe, controlled, pain-free use of a relatively high concentration of bleaching gel – yielding results that are visible immediately.

Stains That are Best Removed with In-Office Whitening
Chair side whitening removes organic stains or discolorations primarily caused by:

• Aging. Over time, the teeth darken with a yellow, brown, green or grey cast (which may be due to heredity and/or eating habits). Yellowed teeth tend to whiten most readily.
• Consumption of certain foods (notably coffee, red wine, sodas and dark-colored vegetables and fruits).
• Tobacco use.

Stains Resistant to In-Office Whitening

• Teeth with certain stains – typically those that are inorganic – do not respond well to in-office whitening. In fact, these teeth may look even darker after the surrounding teeth have been whitened.
• Trauma, which causes the dentin to darken.
• Tetracycline antibiotics ingested during tooth-formation. These drugs chemically bind with the crystalline structure of both the tooth’s enamel and underlying dentin.

Opalescence Boost
Praised for the viscosity of its bleaching gel – a sticky quality that is considered a major plus in tooth-bleaching – Opalescence Boost relies on chemistry for achieving its effects, and does not include the use of a special light activator. Its 38 percent solution of hydrogen peroxide gel contains a unique patented component called PF, a mix of potassium nitrate (reducing the risk of sensitivity associated with tooth whitening) and fluoride (the enamel-strengthener which reduces the risk of cavities).

Total chair time: One to two hours.