Tooth Whitening and Root Canal on one upper front tooth.

This upper front tooth became dark because the nerve (root canal) had died after a traumatic accident.  Root canal therapy and tooth whitening was performed.

Professional tooth whitening typically involves the application of a whitening gel onto the teeth for a duration of 24-30 minutes per visit.  The use of laser light or bonding light on the gel yields similar results (only laser manufacturers disagree).  The main variables are concentration of the hydrogen peroxide in the whitening gel and the duration it is on the teeth.

“Whitening” toothpastes and mouthwashes don’t make sense because:
1)  the concentration of hydrogen peroxide is typically lower than that offered in professionally-applied gels.
2)  the duration of contact between the toothpaste/mouthwash and the teeth is only for a few seconds.