Abstract: A dental bleaching composition having enhanced effectiveness and reduced sensitivity, its method of use, and a kit containing the ingredients for making the composition. The dental bleaching composition comprises a bleaching agent, an inert gelling agent, a pH modifying agent, a discrete inert particulate laser enhancing material, and optionally a transparency modifying agent in the form of a gel with a pH of about 9.5 to 11. The dental bleaching composition is placed on the teeth to be bleached, exposed to laser light for a desired period of time, and removed. The process is then repeated for one or more cycles until the desired degree of bleaching is achieved. Neutral sodium fluoride is then applied to the bleached teeth for at least 10 minutes to reduce or eliminate post-bleaching sensitivity.

Abstract: An optical component 1 comprises a holder 2 formed as a generally elongate tubular member which, at one end, houses a lens 3 and, at the other end, houses an optical fiber 4. The optical fiber 4 is fixed within an elongate tubular ferrule 5. The optical component 1 further includes three adjustment screws 10 which can engage the front of the ferrule 5. The adjustment screws 10 can be used to adjust the radial positioning of the end of the optical fiber 4 and to tilt the ferrule 5 (and thus the fiber 4) with respect to the holder 2 about a pivot point defined by a neck 9 in the holder 2.