ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the different materials that are used for tooth whitening treatments and several other products that have been used for tooth whitening. Carbamide peroxide in a 10% gel formulation is the most commonly used home whitening material. Hydrogen peroxide is used in all types of whitening procedures— in office, chairside, and home whitening. Carbopol enhances the viscosity of the whitening material. Urea is used in whitening kits to do the following: elevate the pH of the solution and enhance other desirable qualities, such as anticariogenic effects, saliva stimulation, and wound healing properties. The surfactant functions as a surface wetting agent, which allows the hydrogen peroxide to diffuse across the gel–tooth boundary. Flavorings are used in whitening materials to improve the taste of the material, add to the selection of whitening agents, and improve acceptability of the product to the patient. Sodium perborate powder has long been used as a whitening agent.
