WHITENING STRIPS: ARE THEY EFFECTIVE HOME CARE PRODUCTS?

Tooth bleaching procedures are often considered as the preferred esthetic approach for treating extrinsic tooth discoloration cases that are commonly present in dental clinics. Most patients desire to have white teeth for cosmetic reasons. Moreover, a variety of over-the-counter whitening products, including whitening oral rinses, dentifrices, paint-on gels, chewing gum, dental floss, and whitening strips are available as home care products. Moreover, the potential determinant factors in the effectiveness of whitening treatment are usually the concentration of the bleaching agent and the duration of the exposure time. OBJECTIVES The aim of this review was to examine the efficacy and safety profile of whitening strips containing variable concentration of hydrogen peroxide content in comparison to other over-the-counter whitening products. CLINICAL SIGINIFICANCE Clinical trials effectively support the evidence of long-term safety profile and effectiveness of tooth whitening with gel strips containing 14% hydrogen peroxide, resulting in 42-49% improvement in tooth color and faster whitening onset without clinical evidence of increased oral tissue irritation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]