Design Principles for Oxidative Tooth Whitening – Delivery Vehicles – Types of Products

The goal of manufacturers of whitening products is to design bleaching systems to maximize whitening efficacy, reduce time required to achieve desired efficacy, minimize cost and time required to treat patients (for office systems), reduce cost and time to achieve whitening in take home applications for patients/consumers, and minimize side effects including soft tissue irritation and dentinal hypersensitivity. The delivery vehicle for the bleaching agent has an important effect on how these goals are simultaneously met – and must account for the kinetics and physics of reactivity in the mouth. Various delivery systems are briefly discussed including:

• In Office Treatment

• Mouthguard/Tray-Based Bleaching

• Strip Based Systems

• Paint on Whitening - Pens & Applicators

• Emulsions

• Toothpaste, Mouthrinse & Tooth Gels