Whitening Gel Designed to Minimize Sensitivity

Everyone wants a whiter, brighter smile, but a few things can stand in the way of patients and the smile of their dreams. The biggest hurdle is usually hypersensitivity—for many patients, a brighter smile just isn’t worth the discomfort that comes with most whitening therapies. Other times, concerns about safety, reliability, or cost can dissuade patients from pursuing treatment. In any case, dentists could use a novel solution that addresses these issues, and now that Wīt Essential from FGM Dental Group is available in the U.S., they have one.

Though Wīt Essential is a relative newcomer to the States, this innovative carbamide peroxide based whitening gel has long been a market leader around the world. For more than 25 years, dentists in over 100 countries have relied on take-home treatment with Wīt Essential to help patients achieve the smiles they’ve always wanted, without significant sensitivity, hassle, or breaking the bank. Among them is Rodrigo Reis, DDS, MS, PhD, a private practitioner and dental educator based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. From safety to simplicity, Dr. Reis shared why Wīt Essential offers a combination of benefits that make it an undisputed “winner” in whitening.

Dual Desensitizing Action

Patients who are hesitant to whiten their teeth because of hypersensitivity will appreciate Wīt Essential’s inclusion of not 1 but 2 desensitizing agents. “Potassium nitrate and sodium fluoride supply a dual desensitizing strategy that reduces the onset of intensity of sensitivity,” Dr. Reis explained. While sodium fluoride provides occlusal action, the increased concentration of extracellular potassium depolarizes the membranes of nerve fibers, blocking the passage of stimuli and reducing hypersensitivity. Wīt Essential additionally has a near-neutral pH, which helps prevent demineralization of enamel and dentin, and as Dr. Reis noted, likewise “decreases the risk of hypersensitivity.”

Flexible, Customizable Treatment

Despite the name, take-home whitening starts in the dental office and is supervised by clinicians throughout the treatment period. With 2 available concentrations of carbamide peroxide—16% and 22%—Dr. Reis shared that Wīt Essential allows dentists the flexibility to prescribe the best possible treatment for every patient. “Whitening with lower concentrations will go slower, but is more comfortable for most patients,” he said. “Around half of patients develop hypersensitivity with any whitening treatment, so I’ll usually start by prescribing the lower concentration for 2 hours a day and then customize the treatment time and concentration depending on how patients are feeling.”

As an added benefit, Dr. Reis reported that Wīt Essential has an “excellent viscosity” that works to make treatment easier and more comfortable for patients, encouraging adherence. “It’s thick enough that it doesn't run off the tray, but not so sticky that it’s a nightmare to remove when you’re done,” he said.

Clinically Proven Safety & Efficacy

As Dr. Reis noted, another reason he and so many dentists worldwide trust Wīt Essential is because it’s supported by extensive clinical research. Studies show that the product is safe and effective for treating everything from yellow stains caused by factors like age and diet to mild tetracycline stains. Add in an easy-to-follow, cost-effective treatment regimen that includes custom trays, a high-yield syringe useable for up to 9 applications, and stable storage at room temperature, and it's clear why Wīt Essential sets patients up for success. “Wīt Essential a great product,” Dr. Reis concluded. “It's safe, reliable, affordable, and has sound data backing it up. In all, this combination makes it a winner.”

More Winning Solutions from FGM

Looking for even more ways to help patients enhance their smiles? FGM Dental Group has dentists covered with reliable, cost-effective restorative products like Vittra APS Unique and Ambar Universal APS. Both materials feature FGM’s exclusive APS photo initiator system, which enables greater working times, more efficient polymerization, and enhanced mechanical and esthetic properties.

Vittra APS Unique is a sub-micrometric, single-shade composite that mirrors any tooth shade from Bleach to D4. “The nice thing about this is that if you restore with Vittra APS Unique and bleach a tooth, the restoration will mimic the tooth’s color as it changes over time,” Dr. Reis said. In his experience, Vittra APS Unique’s chameleon effect not only makes restorative dentistry more predictable and less time-consuming but also keeps costs down, as it lets doctors reduce shade inventory and waste. Collectively, these benefits make Vittra APS Unique an all-around great choice for any clinician. “If you're not a cosmetic dentist, but want to do a high esthetic restoration, this product will help a lot,” Dr. Reis said.

And then there's Ambar Universal APS, a versatile adhesive that can be used with any etch mode (total-, self-, or selective-etch on enamel) and on any surface to achieve strong, stable bonds to dentin and enamel. Research has shown that APS technology also affords the material better polymerization even in the apical region, plus excellent performance in moist conditions, making it ideal for intracanal application. As a colorless adhesive, “You can be 100% sure that it won’t interfere with esthetics in any situation,” Dr. Reis said. Ambar Universal APS conveniently combines primer and bond in 1 bottle and is compatible with dual-, self-, and light-curing resin cements.