OBIOWHITE whitening is free of pain and sensitivity. The treatment is built for that from start to finish: a prep gel with potassium nitrate, a barrier that protects your gums, an LED lamp that, according to the manufacturer, gives off no heat, and a dentist who checks you beforehand and stays with you throughout.
What makes the session comfortable
Comfort with OBIOWHITE doesn’t rest on any single product. It comes from several steps that work together, each doing a small, specific part of the job.
Prep that starts before the whitening
Before the whitening gel goes on, your dentist applies OBIOACTIVE, the system’s prep gel. According to the manufacturer, it contains citric acid at a neutral pH and potassium nitrate, which is there to reduce sensitivity. The packaging also describes it as a stain-removing gel, so your teeth go into the whitening step ready for it.
Your gums are protected
Before the gel is applied, your dentist protects your gums with OBIOGINGIVAL. It’s a gel placed along the gumline and between the teeth, and according to the manufacturer it forms a barrier that keeps the whitening gel on your teeth, and only there.
Light without heat
OBIOWHITE LAMP is an LED lamp that combines blue and red light. According to the manufacturer, it emits no heat, UV or infrared radiation. The light is aimed at your teeth, and your dentist sets the program and how long it runs.
Your dentist is with you the whole way
Before treatment, your dentist examines your teeth and gums and decides whether whitening is right for you. During the session, your dentist applies each layer, keeps an eye on your teeth and gums, and stays with you until it’s done. If anything is on your mind along the way, just say so. Your dentist knows the system well: which product goes on in what order, how long each one stays on, and when it comes off.
Headphones and music
While the gel does its work, you sit back in the chair. The lamp comes with headphones, so you can listen to music during the session.
If your teeth are already sensitive
Some people have sensitive teeth long before they think about whitening, to cold drinks, say, or to brushing. If that’s you, tell your dentist at the suitability visit. They’ll examine your teeth and plan your treatment accordingly. To your dentist, it’s simply useful information for planning, just like an older filling or a crown on a front tooth. There’s no reason to keep it to yourself, and no reason to let it stop you from asking.
The exam before whitening is a standard part of the process, and its job is to make sure your teeth and gums are ready. Your dentist will typically check:
- Whether there’s untreated decay or gum disease. If there is, it’s treated first, and whitening comes after
- Exposed roots and gum recession
- Older fillings, and whether they still seal well
- Crowns and veneers on your front teeth, which keep their color
- What’s causing the discoloration, and whether whitening is the right fit for it
It also helps to tell your dentist about any sensitivity you already have and what sets it off, any recent dental work, past whitening, medical conditions and medications, and whether you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. The more your dentist knows, the easier it is to plan treatment that suits you. For more on the exam and on what whitening does and doesn’t change, read How professional whitening works.
What to expect during and after
An in-clinic session usually takes about an hour; your dentist will tell you how long yours will take. You arrive, your dentist preps your teeth and protects your gums, then applies the whitening gel and turns on the lamp. You sit back, listen to music, and your dentist is right there. Want to see the change? Ask your dentist to check your current shade against a shade guide before you start, and again at the end.
Afterward, you go back to your day. The usual advice comes down to one thing: for the first 24 to 48 hours, avoid strongly colored food and drinks, such as coffee, tea, red wine, cola and dark sauces, and avoid smoking. If your dentist gave you different instructions, follow those. For the full picture, see Keeping your whitening result.
Whitening at home goes through your dentist too: OBIOWHITE STRIPS are given out after an exam and used as your dentist directs. Questions after the session? Your dentist is there for you.
What to ask your dentist
What will you check before whitening, and is there anything to treat first? How are my gums protected during the session? My teeth are sensitive to cold; how does that shape the plan? How long will my session take, and what should I avoid for the two days after? For answers to other common questions, see our FAQ.