As people's demand for oral beauty increases, tooth whitening has become a hot topic in the field of dentistry and beauty. Common whitening methods on the market mainly include clinical cold light whitening and home whitening. There are significant differences between the two in terms of operation methods, duration of effects, safety and applicable populations. This article will conduct a systematic comparison of these two whitening technologies, aiming to provide scientific reference for consumers and clinicians and promote reasonable choices.
1. Technical principles and operation procedures of cold light whitening
Cold light whitening is a professional teeth whitening method performed in a dental clinic environment. Its core principle is to use a light source of a specific wavelength (usually an LED or xenon lamp) to activate the hydrogen peroxide component in the whitening agent and accelerate the oxidation reaction, thereby decomposing pigment deposits on the surface and inside of the teeth.
The operation process generally includes: oral examination and teeth cleaning → protecting soft tissue (gum isolation) → evenly applying whitening gel → using cold light to activate the whitening agent → repeating the cycle several times. The treatment usually lasts 30 to 60 minutes. Depending on the degree of yellow stains on the patient's teeth, 1 to several follow-up visits may be required.
The advantage of cold light whitening is that the whitening effect is obvious and rapid. The whiteness of teeth can be seen in a short time. Professional operation reduces the risk of soft tissue irritation, and the doctor can adjust the concentration and irradiation time according to the patient's condition to improve safety and individualized effect.
2. Classification and usage of home whitening products
Home whitening mainly refers to the patient's self-use of low-concentration whitening products prepared by dentists or commercially available, and gradually achieves the purpose of teeth whitening through long-term regular use. Home whitening methods include whitening trays plus gel, whitening strips and whitening toothpaste.
Among them, the whitening tray is usually customized by the dentist according to the patient's tooth mold, combined with low concentration of hydrogen peroxide or peroxide