The Technology

How to get the smile of a lifetime with SpaWhite™

Research has shown that there are five elements to successful teeth whitening. The more of these factors included in a bleaching treatment, the greater the results that treatment will achieve. These five factors are:

Peroxide | Light | Pressure | Heat | Exposure

Peroxide  This is the active ingredient in virtually all dental whitening products. It ultimately breaks down to hydrogen peroxide. SpaWhite™ uses patented foam pads that contain the hydrogen peroxide to the tooth area. The hydrogen peroxide reacts with light and oxygen to form hydroxyl radicals, which penetrate the tooth structure, breaking down stains into progressively smaller particles as they go. Not only do the foam pads keep the peroxide working on your teeth as it breaks down, but the pads also conform to the shape of your teeth, making sure the peroxide gets into in the gaps between your teeth. The pads absorb the stain particles, keeping them from traveling into your mouth.

Light  But peroxide is strong stuff, and can burn gums and cause tooth sensitivity. Instead of diluting the peroxide to a low concentration, because this would make it less effective, we accelerate and sustain the conversion of hydrogen peroxide to hydroxyl radicals by exposing it to certain wavelengths of light, basically from about 400 to 560 nanometers. This is well within the safe visible light spectrum, far away from dangerous ultraviolet light. The lens/mouthpiece used in the treatment exposes the teeth to light concentrated in this spectrum while the peroxide is on the teeth, the whitening action is accelerated and intensified, increasing the release of hydroxyl radicals.

Pressure  Peroxide is of little value if it doesn’t get into the structure of the tooth. Mild pressure is required to accomplish this. Dentists apply pressure by molding a tray that is custom fit to your teeth. The peroxide gel is placed in the tray, and forced into place. SpaWhite™ accomplishes this action without the need for an expensive, custom tray. As the patented foam pads are squeezed by the teeth, against a lens/mouthpiece, the peroxide is forced into the tooth enamel.

Heat  Peroxide activity increases with temperature, releasing more of its powerful hydroxyl radicals than would occur at lower temperatures.

Exposure  Peroxide eventually breaks down into water. It “wears out” rather quickly, and the more light and heat it is exposed to, the faster it wears out. So a balance must be struck between repetition of applications and exposure time. Most people are very happy with a 15 minute treatment.