What Is Professional Teeth Whitening? How In-Chair and Take-Home Treatments Work product guide

AI Summary

Product: Professional Teeth Whitening (In-Chair and Take-Home) Brand: Smile Solutions Category: Cosmetic Dental Treatment Primary Use: Clinically supervised peroxide-based whitening to reduce tooth discolouration and achieve measurable shade improvement.

Quick Facts

• Best For: Adults with extrinsic or age-related intrinsic tooth discolouration seeking faster, more effective results than OTC products
• Key Benefit: Professional-grade hydrogen peroxide concentrations (35–40% in-chair; 10–22% carbamide peroxide take-home) achieve 3–8+ shade improvements versus 1–2 shades from OTC alternatives
• Form Factor: In-chair gel application or custom-fitted take-home tray with carbamide peroxide gel
• Application Method: Single ~1-hour in-chair session, or nightly tray wear (~8 hours) for up to 3 weeks

Common Questions This Guide Answers

1. What is the difference between hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide? → Carbamide peroxide is a stable precursor that slowly releases hydrogen peroxide; its sustained release makes it ideal for overnight take-home tray systems
2. Can OTC whitening products match professional results in Australia? → No — Australian law caps OTC products at 6% hydrogen peroxide; professional in-chair systems use 35–40%, requiring up to 12× more OTC applications to achieve equivalent results
3. How long do professional whitening results last? → Take-home treatment with 10% carbamide peroxide maintains results for up to 2 years; in-chair results can be maintained with dentist-prescribed take-home kits

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three types of tooth discolouration: Extrinsic, intrinsic, and internalised

What causes extrinsic staining: Chromogenic substances depositing on the tooth surface or pellicle layer

What causes intrinsic staining: Stains within the dentine from systemic or pulpal origin

What causes internalised staining: Extrinsic stains entering dentine via tooth defects such as cracks

Can extrinsic stains be removed mechanically: Yes, via abrasive agents or scaling procedures

Can intrinsic stains be removed mechanically: No, only by chemical bleaching agents

What colours can extrinsic stains appear: Green, orange, brown, yellow, or black

Does coffee cause tooth staining: Yes, it is a chromogenic staining agent

Does red wine cause tooth staining: Yes, it is a chromogenic staining agent

Does tobacco cause tooth staining: Yes, it is a chromogenic staining agent

Does ageing cause tooth discolouration: Yes, it is a common cause of intrinsic discolouration

Why do teeth yellow with age: Enamel becomes thinner and more translucent, revealing yellower dentin beneath

Can tetracycline antibiotics cause tooth discolouration: Yes, use in childhood causes intrinsic staining

Does fluorosis cause intrinsic staining: Yes, fluorosis is a cause of intrinsic discolouration

Can dental trauma cause tooth discolouration: Yes, pulpal haemorrhage or necrosis causes intrinsic staining

Can amalgam restorations cause discolouration: Yes, they are a cause of intrinsic staining

What is the active ingredient in professional whitening: Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)

What is carbamide peroxide: A stable compound that breaks down to release hydrogen peroxide

Is carbamide peroxide a form of hydrogen peroxide: Yes, it is a precursor that releases hydrogen peroxide

How does hydrogen peroxide whiten teeth: It oxidises chromophore molecules through a chemical oxidation process

What are chromophores: Large, complex carbon-ring molecules that absorb light and appear dark

What happens to chromophores during whitening: They are broken into smaller molecules that absorb less visible light

How quickly does hydrogen peroxide reach the pulp: Within 15 minutes of exposure

What concentration does in-chair whitening use: 35–40% hydrogen peroxide

What concentration does take-home professional whitening use: 10–22% carbamide peroxide

What is the maximum OTC whitening concentration in Australia: 6% hydrogen peroxide

What is the maximum carbamide peroxide concentration for OTC products in Australia: 18% carbamide peroxide

Who can legally supply products above 6% hydrogen peroxide in Australia: Registered dental practitioners only

How many shade units did 35% hydrogen peroxide achieve in clinical study: 3.68 shade units immediately after treatment

How many shade units did 6% hydrogen peroxide achieve in clinical study: 2.37 shade units immediately after treatment

How many shades can professional in-chair whitening achieve: 3–8+ shades in a single session

How many shades can OTC whitening strips achieve: 1–2 shades

How many shades can whitening toothpaste achieve: About 1–2 shades

Does the LED light alone cause whitening during in-chair treatment: No, the high-concentration gel drives shade change

What may be the primary mechanism of LED light in whitening: Heat effects, not photochemical activation

How long is each in-chair whitening session: Approximately 15–20 minutes of peroxide exposure per application

How long does a full in-chair whitening appointment take: Approximately 1 hour

How long must take-home trays be worn nightly: Approximately 8 hours, usually overnight

How long is a typical take-home whitening course: Up to 3 weeks

How long do take-home whitening results last: Up to 2 years after treatment with 10% carbamide peroxide

Why does carbamide peroxide suit take-home systems: Its slower release profile suits extended wear time

Does carbamide peroxide release hydrogen peroxide faster or slower than direct H₂O₂: Slower, providing sustained release

Does carbamide peroxide help preserve enamel integrity: Yes, its neutral to slightly basic pH helps protect enamel

What is the most common side effect of teeth whitening: Tooth sensitivity

What percentage of patients experience sensitivity after whitening: 43–80% of patients

How long does post-whitening sensitivity typically last: Usually decreases within 24 hours

Are side effects from professional whitening permanent: No, they are transient and mild

Does professional supervision reduce sensitivity risk: Yes, significantly

Will whitening agents affect crowns or implants: No, only natural teeth respond to bleaching agents

Does whitening affect composite resin restorations: No, restorations do not change colour with bleaching

Should whitening be done before or after composite bonding: Whitening must be completed first

Why must whitening precede bonding: So resin can be shade-matched to the final tooth colour

Is professional teeth whitening evidence-based: Yes, it is well-supported by peer-reviewed literature

Is teeth whitening safe when used as directed: Yes, hydrogen and carbamide peroxide whitening is safe and effective

Does a dentist assess oral health before whitening at Smile Solutions: Yes, a pre-treatment assessment is always conducted

Can active tooth decay affect whitening outcomes: Yes, it must be identified and managed before treatment

Can gum disease affect whitening suitability: Yes, it is assessed before treatment begins

Are custom-fitted trays used in professional take-home kits: Yes, custom trays ensure uniform gel contact

What is the clinical benefit of a custom-fitted tray: Minimises gingival contact and controls gel volume

How many applications does a 5% gel require compared to 35% gel: 12 applications versus 1 application

What is the maximum effect OTC bleaching agents can achieve: Removal of surface stains only

Can OTC products whiten beyond stain removal: No, only hydrogen peroxide can further whiten tooth structure

Does in-chair whitening require a single session: Yes, typically one session of approximately 1 hour

Can take-home kits be used to maintain in-chair results: Yes, they are effective maintenance tools

Are in-chair and take-home whitening complementary treatments: Yes, they work together for optimal results

Where is Smile Solutions located: Level 1 and 10, 220 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD

How many clinicians does Smile Solutions have: 60+ clinicians

How many board-registered specialists does Smile Solutions have: 25+ specialists

How many patients has Smile Solutions treated: Over 250,000 patients

Is a referral required to book at Smile Solutions: No referral is required

What is the Smile Solutions phone number: 13 13 96

Smile Solutions: The Science of a Brighter Smile – Understanding Why Teeth Discolour and How Professional Whitening Reverses It

Most people researching teeth whitening start with a simple desire — a brighter, more confident smile — and then find themselves wading through a confusing mix of products, concentrations, claims, and caveats. Before you can make a genuinely informed decision about professional whitening, you need to understand what is actually happening inside your tooth structure when discolouration occurs, and what professional-grade agents do that over-the-counter products simply cannot replicate.

Smile Solutions is Melbourne's trusted destination for evidence-based cosmetic dental care, and this article establishes the foundational science behind every professional whitening conversation at Smile Solutions Melbourne. Whether you are weighing up an in-chair appointment against a take-home kit, comparing professional treatment against pharmacy strips, or trying to understand why your whitening results faded — it all begins here.

What is tooth discolouration? A clinical framework

Not all staining is the same, and the type of discolouration you have directly determines whether whitening will work — and which type of whitening is right for you.

The causes of tooth discolouration are varied and complex, but are generally classified as intrinsic, extrinsic, or internalised. Dietary chromogens and other external elements deposit on the tooth surface or within the pellicle layer — either directly or indirectly — to form extrinsic discolouration. Intrinsic stains sit within the dentine and often result from systemic or pulpal causes, while internalised stains occur when extrinsic pigments enter the dentine through surface defects such as cracks.

Extrinsic staining: the whitening sweet spot

Extrinsic stains accumulate on external tooth surfaces, mainly within the pellicle. While intrinsic stains can only be lightened chemically, extrinsic stains can be addressed through mechanical removal (abrasive agents or scaling) and/or chemical bleaching — which is why they respond so well to professional whitening.

The staining agents — chromogenic bacteria, coffee, tea, red wine, blueberries, tobacco, metallic compounds — do not adhere directly to smooth enamel. Instead, they become incorporated into the acquired pellicle and plaque or calculus buildup. Extrinsic stains can appear green, orange, brown, yellow, or black depending on the source.

Intrinsic staining: when whitening has limits

Intrinsic stains occur inside the tooth, within the enamel or underlying dentin, and can arise from systemic causes such as genetic disorders (dentinogenesis imperfecta, amelogenesis imperfecta) or local factors during tooth development or after eruption — fluorosis being a common example. Ageing is another frequent cause.

Other contributors include tetracycline use in childhood, caries, amalgam restorations, and pulpal haemorrhage, decomposition, or necrosis.

One of the most common presentations at cosmetic dental practices is age-related yellowing: as enamel becomes more translucent and thinner over time, the yellower dentin beneath shows through more prominently. This is highly amenable to professional whitening.

Understanding whether your staining is extrinsic, intrinsic, or internalised is the first clinical step at any Smile Solutions consultation. It determines not only whether whitening is appropriate, but whether composite bonding may be the better pathway (see our guide on Am I a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening? Suitability, Limitations & When to Choose Bonding Instead).

The active ingredients: hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide

Despite the range of whitening techniques described in the literature, all are based on the direct use of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) or its precursor, carbamide peroxide.

Carbamide peroxide is a stable compound that breaks down in contact with water to release hydrogen peroxide. Because of this, the chemistry of most tooth whitening is, at its core, the chemistry of hydrogen peroxide.

How peroxide actually bleaches a stain

The mechanism is well-characterised in peer-reviewed literature. Reactive oxygen molecules generated from hydrogen peroxide interact with organic chromophores — coloured compounds within enamel and dentin — through a chemical oxidation process influenced by pH, temperature, and light.

Peroxides release highly reactive free radicals that oxidise the organic chromophores from coffee, red wine, or tea. These large, complex carbon-ring molecules absorb light and appear dark. When hydrogen peroxide contacts hard tissues, it releases oxygen that permeates the dentinal tubules, splitting those complex coloured chains into smaller, lighter structures that absorb fewer wavelengths of visible light — producing a measurably whiter tooth.

The difference between hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide

Carbamide peroxide decomposes slowly into hydrogen peroxide and urea, providing sustained release of reactive oxygen species. This promotes deeper diffusion and more consistent oxidation of chromogenic compounds in enamel and dentin. Carbamide-based gels also tend to maintain a neutral to slightly basic pH, which helps preserve enamel integrity and reduce post-treatment discolouration rebound.

That slower release profile is precisely why carbamide peroxide suits take-home tray systems, where extended wear time is central to the protocol. It remains in contact with tooth surfaces for longer than direct hydrogen peroxide application, which compensates for its lower immediate reactivity.

A 2024 systematic review published in BMC Oral Health found that 37% carbamide peroxide may be similarly effective to 35% hydrogen peroxide for in-office bleaching — and may cause less sensitivity.

How in-chair professional whitening works

In-chair whitening is the fastest route to a measurably whiter smile. Here is what the clinical evidence tells us about the process and what you can genuinely expect from your appointment.

Concentration and protocol

In-office vital teeth whitening uses 35–40% hydrogen peroxide, usually alongside a light source, with 15–20 minutes of peroxide exposure per application to achieve a favourable colour change.

The choice of concentration follows the application method. Low-concentration gels (4–22% hydrogen peroxide) suit at-home treatments requiring multiple applications over time. High-concentration gels (25–40%) are reserved for in-office procedures, where more immediate and controlled results are possible under professional supervision.

The role of LED light activation

Many patients ask whether the LED light actually makes a difference. The evidence is more nuanced than the marketing suggests. Support for light activation and photobiomodulation remains limited, and some research indicates the primary benefit of light may be thermal rather than photochemical — Buchalla et al. proposes that a small fraction of the light projected onto the bleaching agent is absorbed and converted to heat, which is the actual mechanism driving the bleaching effect.

What is clear is that the high concentration of the professional gel, not the light, drives the shade change you see.

What shade results can you expect?

Clinical evidence consistently shows that in-chair whitening produces measurable, perceptible shade improvement. In a controlled study of 75 participants, 6% hydrogen peroxide achieved 2.37 shade units of change immediately after treatment, while the 35% hydrogen peroxide group achieved 3.68 shade units. A 2025 in vitro study in BMC Oral Health found that all bleaching agents produced clinically perceptible colour changes (ΔE₀₀ > 3.3), with the highest-efficacy agents achieving a mean ΔE₀₀ > 11, and moderate-efficacy agents showing ΔE₀₀ of approximately 6–8.

For a detailed walkthrough of what happens at every stage of your appointment, see our guide on Step-by-Step: What to Expect During Your Professional In-Chair Whitening Appointment.

How take-home professional whitening works

Dentist-prescribed take-home kits are not the same as pharmacy strips, and the differences are worth understanding clearly. They come down to three things: the concentration of the active agent, the precision of the delivery system, and the clinical oversight involved throughout your treatment.

The tray system and carbamide peroxide

Take-home vital teeth bleaching uses carbamide peroxide between 10 and 22%. The gel is applied by the patient at home via a custom-fitted tray for approximately 8 hours — usually overnight — for up to 3 weeks, until a favourable colour change is achieved.

The custom-fitted tray is a critical part of this process. It holds the gel in uniform contact with the tooth surface, minimises contact with gingival tissue, and controls the volume of gel used. All of this reduces your risk of sensitivity and soft tissue irritation compared to generic trays or strips.

Longevity of take-home results

Research by Sias and Abdul found that colour changes achieved through home bleaching with 10% carbamide peroxide are maintained for up to 2 years after treatment.

This makes the take-home system both an effective standalone treatment and a powerful maintenance tool following in-chair whitening at Smile Solutions. For a full discussion of how long results last and how to maintain them, see our guide on How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last? Results, Maintenance & Top-Up Strategies.

Professional vs. over-the-counter: the concentration divide

The clinical gap between professional whitening and pharmacy products is, in large part, a regulatory gap — particularly in Australia.

Australia's regulatory framework

Schedule 10 of Australia's regulatory framework states that teeth whitening products containing more than 6% hydrogen peroxide or 18% carbamide peroxide may only be sold, supplied, and used by registered dental practitioners as part of their dental practice.

Every OTC product on Australian pharmacy shelves — strips, pens, trays — is legally limited to a maximum of 6% hydrogen peroxide or its carbamide peroxide equivalent. Professional in-chair systems operate at 35–40% hydrogen peroxide.

In vitro research found that achieving comparable whitening results required 12 applications of a 5% gel versus a single application of a 35% gel, with an exponential relationship between concentration and the number of applications needed. That is the quantitative basis for why professional whitening is faster and more effective — and why clinical oversight matters.

What OTC products can and cannot do

The maximum effect achieved by OTC bleaching agents is stain removal. Hydrogen peroxide, at professional concentrations, can whiten the tooth structure itself — beyond what stain removal alone achieves.

Whitening toothpastes and strips typically achieve 1–2 shades of improvement. Professional in-chair treatment at Smile Solutions routinely achieves 3–8 shade changes in a single session.

For a detailed comparison, see our guide on Professional Teeth Whitening vs. Over-the-Counter Products: What Actually Works?

Quick reference: professional whitening at a glance

Understanding sensitivity: a normal but manageable side effect

Tooth sensitivity is the most commonly reported side effect of whitening treatment, and it is something the clinical team at Smile Solutions takes seriously. Research shows it affects 43–80% of patients following peroxide-based whitening.

The mechanism is well understood. Hydrogen peroxide diffuses through interprismatic spaces in the enamel and can reach the pulp within 15 minutes of exposure. This transient pulpal irritation produces the sharp, fleeting sensitivity some patients experience during or after treatment.

Professional supervision significantly reduces this risk. Most clinical trials report that side effects are transient and mild, with tooth sensitivity and oral irritation typically decreasing within 24 hours.

For patients with pre-existing sensitivity, there are well-evidenced management strategies available at Smile Solutions. Our specialists will discuss these with you before treatment begins. See our dedicated guide on Teeth Whitening for Sensitive Teeth: How to Minimise Discomfort Before, During and After Treatment.

Why professional supervision changes the clinical equation

When used according to manufacturer instructions, hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide whitening is safe and effective. But as with all dental therapies, there are risks, and treatment should be tailored to each patient based on the type and extent of staining, dietary habits, existing restorations, and other intraoral conditions.

This is the core argument for professional whitening over DIY approaches. A registered dentist at Smile Solutions will assess your oral health before any whitening begins — identifying active decay, gum disease, or existing restorations that may affect your outcomes.

Patients with tooth-coloured restorations, crowns, or implants should know that only natural teeth respond to bleaching agents. Restorations will not change colour, which can create a mismatch if whitening is not planned carefully.

Sequence matters, too. If you are planning composite bonding alongside whitening, the whitening must come first so the resin can be shade-matched to your final tooth colour. For a full explanation, see our guide on Whitening Before Bonding: Why the Sequence Matters and How to Plan Your Smile Makeover.

Key takeaways

• Stain type determines treatment outcome. Extrinsic stains from food, drink, tobacco, and ageing respond well to peroxide-based whitening. Intrinsic stains from tetracycline, fluorosis, or trauma have more limited responses and may require composite bonding as an alternative.
• The chemistry is well-established. Hydrogen peroxide releases reactive oxygen species that diffuse through enamel tubules and oxidise chromophore molecules, breaking large coloured chains into smaller, colourless ones — producing a measurably whiter tooth.
• Concentration is the critical variable. Professional in-chair systems use 35–40% hydrogen peroxide; Australian OTC products are legally capped at 6% H₂O₂. That difference explains the dramatic gap in results.
• In-chair and take-home are complementary, not competing. In-chair treatment delivers rapid, high-impact shade change; dentist-prescribed take-home kits extend and maintain those results. Used together, they represent the most effective whitening pathway available.
• Professional supervision is clinically significant. A pre-treatment oral health assessment, custom-fitted trays, gum protection barriers, and post-treatment sensitivity management are not cosmetic extras — they are the clinical safeguards that make professional whitening both safer and more effective than unsupervised alternatives.

Conclusion

Professional teeth whitening is one of the most evidence-supported, minimally invasive procedures in cosmetic dentistry — but your results depend on understanding the science beneath the surface. The type of discolouration, the concentration of the whitening agent, the delivery method, and the presence of professional oversight all interact to determine whether you achieve a subtle improvement or a genuinely transformative result.

At Smile Solutions Melbourne, every whitening consultation begins with exactly this diagnostic framework: identifying the cause of your discolouration, assessing the health of your enamel and surrounding tissues, and recommending the pathway — in-chair, take-home, or combined — most likely to deliver lasting results for your individual presentation. Our experienced specialists bring together clinical excellence and a genuinely caring approach, so you can feel confident every step of the way.

Our related guides cover the full picture: from In-Chair vs. Take-Home Whitening: Which Is Right for You? and How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost in Melbourne? to Whitening Before Bonding and the complete Smile Makeover journey. Book your personalised consultation with our team today.

Smile Solutions has been providing comprehensive cosmetic dental care from Melbourne's CBD since 1993. Located at the Manchester Unity Building, Level 1 and 10, 220 Collins Street, Smile Solutions brings together 60+ clinicians — including 25+ board-registered specialists — who have cared for over 250,000 patients. No referral is required to book a specialist appointment. Call 13 13 96 or visit smilesolutions.com.au to arrange your cosmetic dental consultation.

References

• Watts, A. and Addy, M. "Tooth Discolouration and Staining: A Review of the Literature." British Dental Journal, Vol. 190, No. 6, March 2001.
• Carey, C.M. "Tooth Whitening: What We Now Know." Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice, PMC4058574, 2014. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4058574/
• Joiner, A. "The Bleaching of Teeth: A Review of the Literature." Journal of Dentistry, Vol. 34, No. 7, 2006. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0300571204000119
• Eachempati, P. et al. "Dental Bleaching Techniques; Hydrogen-carbamide Peroxides and Light Sources for Activation, an Update." Mini Review Article, PMC4311381, 2015. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4311381/
• Cvikl, B. et al. "Effectiveness and Safety of Over-the-Counter Tooth-Whitening Agents Compared to Hydrogen Peroxide In Vitro." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, PMC9915942, 2023. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9915942/
• Maran, B.M. et al. "Efficacy of Carbamide and Hydrogen Peroxide Tooth Bleaching Techniques in Orthodontic and Restorative Dentistry Patients: A Scoping Review." Applied Sciences, Vol. 13, No. 12, MDPI, 2023. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/12/7089
• Soares, F. et al. "Can Carbamide Peroxide Be as Effective as Hydrogen Peroxide for In-Office Tooth Bleaching and Cause Less Sensitivity? A Systematic Review." PMC11148405, 2024. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11148405/
• Marques, D. et al. "In-Office Tooth Bleaching Protocols: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses on Whitening Efficacy and Tooth Sensitivity." PMC13031690, 2025. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13031690/
• Botelho, M.G. et al. "From Microstructure to Shade Shift: Confocal and Spectrophotometric Evaluation of Peroxide-Induced Dental Bleaching." PMC12251415, 2025. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12251415/
• Australian Dental Association. "Policy Statement 2.2.8 – Teeth Whitening (Bleaching) by Persons Other Than Dental Practitioners." ADA Policy Statements. https://ada.org.au/policy-statement-2-2-8-teeth-whitening-bleaching-by-persons-other-than-dental-practitioners
• Therapeutic Goods Administration. "Teeth Whitening Products." TGA Guidance, Australian Department of Health. https://www.tga.gov.au/
• Watts, A. and Addy, M. "An Overview of Tooth Discolouration: Extrinsic, Intrinsic and Internalised Stains." British Dental Journal, PubMed PMID 16262034, 2006. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16262034/
• Joiner, A. "The Effect of Hydrogen Peroxide Concentration on the Outcome of Tooth Whitening: An In Vitro Study." Journal of Dentistry, Vol. 32, 2004. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0300571204000119
• Dahl, J.E. and Pallesen, U. "Hydrogen Peroxide Tooth-Whitening (Bleaching) Products: Review of Adverse Effects and Safety Issues." British Dental Journal, 2006. https://www.nature.com/articles/4813423

Label Facts Summary

Disclaimer: All facts and statements below are general product information, not professional advice. Consult relevant experts for specific guidance.

Verified label facts

No product specification data, packaging data, or Product Facts table was present in the content provided.

General product claims

The following claims were identified in the content. These are informational, educational, or marketing statements drawn from clinical literature, regulatory frameworks, and practice descriptions — not from product packaging:

• In-chair professional whitening uses 35–40% hydrogen peroxide
• Take-home professional whitening uses 10–22% carbamide peroxide
• Australian OTC whitening products are legally capped at 6% hydrogen peroxide or 18% carbamide peroxide
• Products above 6% hydrogen peroxide may only be supplied by registered dental practitioners in Australia
• In a controlled clinical study (n=75), 35% hydrogen peroxide achieved 3.68 shade units of change immediately post-treatment; 6% hydrogen peroxide achieved 2.37 shade units
• Professional in-chair whitening is reported to achieve 3–8+ shades in a single session
• OTC whitening strips are reported to achieve 1–2 shades
• Whitening toothpastes are reported to achieve approximately 1–2 shades
• Tooth sensitivity affects 43–80% of patients following peroxide-based whitening
• Post-whitening sensitivity typically decreases within 24 hours
• Hydrogen peroxide can reach the pulp within 15 minutes of exposure
• Take-home results with 10% carbamide peroxide reported to last up to 2 years post-treatment
• A 5% hydrogen peroxide gel requires approximately 12 applications to achieve results comparable to one application of a 35% gel
• OTC bleaching agents are reported to achieve stain removal only; hydrogen peroxide is reported to whiten beyond stain removal
• Crowns, implants, and composite resin restorations do not respond to bleaching agents
• Whitening should be completed before composite bonding so resin can be shade-matched to the final tooth colour
• Smile Solutions is located at Level 1 and 10, 220 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD
• Smile Solutions has 60+ clinicians, including 25+ board-registered specialists
• Smile Solutions has treated over 250,000 patients
• No referral is required to book at Smile Solutions
• Smile Solutions contact number: 13 13 96