Opalescence is a powerful tooth bleaching gel from Ultradent, based on carbamide peroxide gel with potassium nitrate and fluoride (PF). It comes in different PF concentrations from 10%, 15%, 20%, and their newest option, 35%. Individuals with more sensitive teeth or gums will be better suited to lower carbamide peroxide concentrations.

Reviews for the product in all its varieties are quite high but overall, customers are most often satisfied with the Opalescence 20%. Many people find 10 and 15% too weak and 35% too strong. Customer feedback and reviews for the 20% concentration are almost universally positive no matter where you look and have some of the highest ratings for any tooth whitening gel we could find! We are left with the conclusion that Opalescence 20 is one of the top tooth whitening gels currently on the market.

Don’t Buy Opalescence From Your Dentist!

Be aware that, as with any tooth whitening gel, purchasing  through your dentist can cost you up to 10 times its normal price or even more!! If you need a second opinion we definitely recommend you ask your dentist about Opalescence 20 but don’t buy it there! The reason is that Opalescence whitening system has become available on Amazon from trusted distributors so you can save a TON of cash by purchasing the exact same product at a fraction of what your dentist would charge. We should add that, besides your dentist, Amazon is the best and safest place to purchase Opalescence because, in addition to almost always being the cheapest source, it is by far the most reliable source (checked by customer reviews). The following is a list of Opalescence 20, 35, 15, and 10% whitening gel concentrations from Amazon:

In Addition to Opalescence Gel You Will Need…

You may have already guessed it: teeth whitening trays. These are a necessary component to the Opalescence 20, 35, 10, and 15% whitening systems and if you already have a set from your dentist or elsewhere then use those but if you don’t, you’ll need to pick up a set. This is because, although gel is a take-home whitening kit, it was originally intended to be distributed by dentists, who would also charge an additional $300+ for a set of fitted tooth whitening trays. Unless you have money overflowing your pockets, this price is not ideal and you can order nearly identical quality custom teeth whitening trays elsewhere.

When making your choice, be aware that a good high quality whitening tray will improve the effectiveness of the Opalescence whitening treatment and can last indefinitely for future treatments. Also, as with any tooth bleaching gel, Opalescence is to an extent, an ongoing treatment because you will probably get new stains over the years. Therefore getting a good quality set of whitening trays that you can trust is an investment you will never regret.

Differences Between 35% and Lower Concentrations

As the numbers indicate, Opalescence 35 is almost twice as concentrated as the next level down (Opalescence 20) which means the bleaching treatment time will be much shorter. The exposure time of an Opalescence 35 treatment should be 30-60 minutes or less. By contrast, the 10, 15, and 20% concentrations require up to 6-10 hours of exposure which may include overnight. For some people, the shorter treatment time is more convenient. On the other hand, due to the high carbamide peroxide concentration of Opalescence 35 gel, tooth or gum sensitivity is more severe than the lower concentrations.

Is Opalescence 35 Right For You?

Opalescence 35 is intended to whiten and ultimately remove strong stains deep in the teeth caused from coffee, wine, tobacco, or certain foods or pharmaceuticals. It will also significantly whiten the overall shade of your teeth that may have been caused from lack of oral hygiene, genetic coloring, age, or tooth trauma (cracks). However, for the latter cases, you are probably just as well off with Opalescence 15, 20 or a lower concentration. In general, short term teeth or gum sensitivity is not unusual or unexpected after using any whitening gel treatment. It is a problem if this sensitivity or pain is intense and long-lasting. There are a number of reasons this could happen including one or more of the following:

A: You are using too much gel and it is overflowing the tray onto your gums. If this is the case, use less gel on the tray next time and make sure you wipe any excess gel off your gums with a clean finger, toothbrush, cotton ball, or tissue during treatment.

B: The treatment exposure time is too long for you. If you suspect this is the case, reduce the bleaching time (and never do an overnight treatment with a new gel until you are confident about your sensitivity to it).

C: You are using the treatment too often. If you are bleaching your teeth every day, switch to every other day.

D: The gel carbamide peroxide concentration is too strong. If you have already ruled out a, b, and c, you may just have to switch to a lower concentration (if available).

If you have never used a bleaching gel before and are unsure about your teeth and gum sensitivity then we recommend beginning with the Opalescence 20% because many people find Opalescence 35 is too powerful. Individuals with sensitive teeth or gums will be far better suited to lower carbamide peroxide concentrations. On the other hand, if you have heavy staining or have very yellowish, grayish, or dark teeth, 35% is probably right for you. Similarly, if you have tried other teeth whitening gels at lower concentrations and were unsatisfied with the whitening, you should definitely consider Opalescence 35.

More Tips for Opalescence

• If you don’t know how sensitive your teeth are, try starting with the Opalescence 20% carbamide peroxide concentration.

• During application, if excessive gel gets on the gums, brush it off with a toothbrush or wipe it off with a cotton ball or tissue.

• Never begin a treatment with an overnight exposure unless you are certain you do not have a strong sensitivity to Opalescence whitening gel. If your carbamide peroxide concentration allows for overnight exposure (as stated in the instructions), when you try it for the first time, set your alarm for the middle of the night so you can wake up and see how sensitive your teeth and gums feel then. It could save you some pain from the next day!

• If you have never used it before, start your Opalescence whitening treatment with a smaller dosage and shorter exposure and if the sensitivity is tolerated well, work your way up from there (but always within the instructed limits).

• Store Opalescence gel in the fridge when not using this product for an extended period of time. Shelf life is approximately two years refrigerated and one year at room temperature.

• This is not quite a tip but remember, Opalescence 20 is the number one recommended teeth bleaching gel at Best Whitening. You may find a stronger or weaker concentration is better for you but if you don’t know which to get, go with 20. We wish you the best of luck and suspect you will not be disappointed by the results!