Abstract: A tooth whitening composition includes an aqueous activation part comprising a peroxide activating component, and a peroxide part comprising a peroxide component that does not contain a peroxide stabilizer, wherein the activation part and the peroxide part are each flowable compositions.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a tooth whitening accelerator composition includes a salt of boric acid dissolved in a polyol carrier. The tooth whitening accelerator composition can be used in a method of whitening teeth that includes applying the tooth whitening accelerator to teeth and applying a tooth whitening formulation to the teeth.

Abstract: A tooth whitening composition includes an aqueous activation part comprising a peroxide activating component, and a peroxide part comprising a peroxide component that does not contain a peroxide stabilizer, wherein the activation part and the peroxide part are each flowable compositions.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a tooth whitening device includes a body having at least one LED disposed at an end of the body, and a mouthpiece removably attached to the body adjacent the LED. The mouthpiece can include an insertion end having a shape complimentary to an arch of upper and lower teeth of a user and sized to be received within the mouth of a user. The mouthpiece can include a wall at the insertion end that defines an opening. The wall surrounds buccal surfaces of the upper and lower teeth of the user such that at least a smile zone of the upper and lower teeth of the user is exposed through the opening. Light is transmitted from the LED through the opening to expose at least the smile zone of the upper and lower teeth.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a tooth whitening accelerator composition includes a salt of boric acid dissolved in a polyol carrier. The tooth whitening accelerator composition can be used in a method of whitening teeth that includes applying the tooth whitening accelerator to teeth and applying a tooth whitening formulation to the teeth.

Abstract: A single dose hygienic tooth whitener dispenser and applicator has a chamber. The housing is a bottle having an upper end with a neck and threads receiving a threaded sleeve. The sleeve includes a recess receiving a sponge applicator having a bottom surface overlying an upwardly facing opening of the chamber in the bottle. This opening is initially covered by a hermetic seal. An over-cap includes a bottom facing opening slidable over the sleeve and covers the applicator. Within the over-cap, a pin extends downwardly. The pin has a pointed end facing downward. When it is desired to use the inventive device to whiten the user's teeth, the over-cap is pushed down until the pointed end of the pin extends through the applicator and pierces the seal in the opening of the bottle, whereupon tooth whitener may be dispensed and applied.

Abstract: In the inventive method, a tooth whitener having a concentration of hydrogen peroxide significantly lower than the concentration typically used in in-office applications is applied to the teeth in gel form. Next, thin transparent film is placed over the teeth to seal the tooth whitener onto the teeth. The film creates a closed system that precludes oxygen from migrating away from the teeth into the atmosphere. A white light in the range of 380-660 nm wavelength is then activated to assist in exciting oxygen in the path of the light and the oxygen molecules bombard the tooth surfaces. The oxygen molecules may not easily escape from the tooth surfaces into the atmosphere due to the wrap and, thus, their whitening “power” is enhanced and lengthened. Then, the patient may stabilize the whitening results over a 7 to 10 day regime using a lower concentration tooth whitener.

Abstract: An apparatus for practicing the inventive method includes a glass ampule having a tooth whitening solution vacuum sealed within a chamber of the ampule. The ampule is contained within a cylindrical plastic sleeve closed at one end and enclosed at its other open end by the proximal termination of a brush-type applicator. An adhesive such as glue is used to adhere the periphery of the brush to the inner surfaces of the plastic cylinder. The bristles preferably have circular cross-sections so that when they are tightly packed together and adhered to the plastic cylinder, interstices between adjacent bristles are sufficiently large enough to permit flow through of the tooth whitening composition while being sufficiently small enough to prevent shards of glass from the ampule, when broken open, to pass through the brush. A cardboard sleeve surrounds the plastic cylinder to protect the user from the glass ampule when broken. The method of using the inventive apparatus is also disclosed.