In-office Bleaching Time Calculator

In-Office Dental Whitening Time Calculator

This works out the total chair time and how long the whole course of in-office (power) bleaching will run. The gel is hydrogen peroxide at 35–40%, painted straight onto the enamel once the gums are isolated with a light-cured barrier. A normal course is 3–4 sessions of 45–60 minutes, spaced 7–15 days apart so the enamel has time to remineralize.

In Brazil the usual brands are Whiteness HP Maxx (FGM), Opalescence Boost (Ultradent) and Pola Office (SDI). The most common side effect is sensitivity afterward, which tends to peak at 24–48 hours and clears up on its own in 96% of cases. Activating the gel with light or laser won't really change the final shade, though it can speed up how fast the radicals are released.

Applications

General dentists and cosmetic dentistry specialists use it to map out whitening cycles, book the appointments and put together a quote for the patient. The procedure falls under ANVISA RDC 11/2003 and is reserved for dental professionals. Under CFO Resolution 112/2011, peroxide above 6% can't be sold over the counter or used in beauty salons.

FAQ

How many shades whiter will the patient become? Usually 3–8 shades on the Vita scale. It depends on where the teeth started and what's causing the stain, and tetracycline stains respond less than most.

How long do the results last? Somewhere between 1–3 years if you keep up with it, doing occasional touch-ups and going easy on coffee, wine and tobacco. A lot of dentists pair the in-office session with at-home trays to make it last.

Can pregnant women undergo whitening? No. In-office bleaching isn't recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, since there aren't enough safety studies on how systemic peroxide exposure affects them.