Chemistry behind Lasers and Dental Bleaching

Questions: Chemistry

1. How is chemistry used in dentistry?

2. How do lasers activate the effects of dental bleaching?

3. How are the different methods of enhancing hydrogen peroxide classified?

4. Compare  the two different chemical formulas for dental bleaching?

Answers

1. One way that chemistry is used in dentistry is in dental bleaching. Dental bleaching are bleaching products which are applied to the teeth in order to remove stains and discolorations therefore increasing whiteness of teeth.

2.When dental bleaching is applied to the teeth, in order to speed up the process of activation of these products laser light is applied to the dental bleach. the laser light enhances the oxidizing effect of the hydrogen peroxide found in the dental bleach.

3. There are 6 different methods of enhancing hydrogen peroxide bleaching. Alkaline pH environment, thermal enhancement, photobleaching, photolysis, fenton reaction and photodynamic effect.

Alkaline pH environment: An alklaine environment is a setting that is considered to be highly basic this type of environment has a ph value always over 7. When hydrogen peroxide is placed in this environment because alkaline is a base it accepts the hydrogen atoms from the hydrogen peroxide which in turn  enhances the hydrogen peroxides bleaching properties.

Photobleaching: Photochemical alteration of a dye by cleaving of covalent bonds. In other words it is the loss of color when illuminated.

Photolysis: Photolysis is a  chemical reaction where a compound is broken down by photons. Interaction of several photons with one molecule

Fenton reaction: Fenton reaction is a mixture of hydrogen peroxide with iron as a catalyst which is used to oxidize waste waters. Fentons reaction can also break down organic compounds                     (

Photodynamic effect: Form of phototherapy that includes light and a photosensitizing substance. Photodynamic therapy has the ability to kill bateria, viruses, and fungi. 

Carbamide Peroxide

4. The two different types of chemicals used in dental bleaching is either carbamide peroxide (  solid composed of equal amounts of hydrogen peroxide and urea CH6N2O3) hydrogen peroxide ( H2O2 colorless liquid used as an aqueous solution it is water with an extra oxygen atom). Studies show that carbamide peroxide is not as efficient as hydrogen peroxide, but carbamide peroxide contains fewer side effects. While hydrogen peroxide frequently causes increased sensitivity of teeth, irritation of gums or develop bleachorexia

Hydrogen Peroxide