title: Dental whitening--revisiting the myths.
abstract: The popularity of dental bleaching has increased with the introduction of at-home whitening. Currently available whitening methods include those prescribed by a dental professional for use at home, those applied by the professional in the dental office, a combination of the two, or systems available over the counter. This article reviews the effect, efficacy, and safety of bleaching techniques and materials. Most whitening techniques are considered effective and safe when carried out under the supervision of a dental professional. This article also compares the efficacy and safety of some of the most popular bleaching techniques, including at-home whitening with carbamide peroxide, over-the-counter (OTC) systems, and in-office whitening. Some of these whitening techniques are illustrated in this article.
authors.affiliation: University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, Department of Restorative Sciences, Division of Operative Dentistry, USA. perdi001@umn.edu
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Perdigão
mesh_terms: D000077463:Carbamide Peroxide; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care; D003770:Dental Offices; D009050:Fluorosis, Dental / Q000150:complications; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D010545:Peroxides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012449:Safety; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000009:adverse effects; D014073:Tooth Bleaching / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D058205:Tooth Bleaching Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014075:Tooth Discoloration / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D014508:Urea / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D010545:Peroxides; D058205:Tooth Bleaching Agents; D000077463:Carbamide Peroxide; D014508:Urea; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D013752:Tetracycline