Tooth Whitening Without Sensitization

By: Katie Schaefer, Cosmetics & Toiletries magazine

Posted: October 30, 2009, from the November 2009 issue of Cosmetics & Toiletries.

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Sensitivity also was the reason Frye chose to use carbamide peroxide rather than hydrogen peroxide. “The two agents are comparable, but you might not be able to achieve the same level of desensitization with the hydrogen peroxide as you can with carbamide peroxide,” he said.

In addition to the whitening gel, the system includes a thick, tailored whitening tray that is molded to the consumer’s teeth to protect the gums. “We provide a rubberized tray that is heated in the microwave and manipulated by the customer’s tongue and fingers to mold it to their teeth,” said Frye.

Dental Outlook
From his dental practice, Frye not only gleaned tooth-whitening knowledge, he also used it to test the whitening system and collect feedback from patients. He plans to use this knowledge to develop future oral care products, including a whitening toothpaste.

“[Current] whitening toothpastes have the potential to cause sensitivity because they are abrasive,” said Frye, who explained that they remove the calcium- and fluoride-rich top layer from the tooth. Frye expects to utilize information gained from his practice to develop a non-abrasive product. However, he notes that only superficial staining can be removed via toothpaste, and that intrinsic staining must be bleached.