Most of us start out with white teeth, thanks to their porcelain-like enamel surface which is composed of microscopic crystalline rods. Tooth enamel is designed to protect the teeth from the effects of chewing, gnashing, trauma and acid attacks caused by sugar. But over the years enamel is worn down, becoming more transparent and permitting the yellow colour of dentin – the tooth’s core material – to show through.
During routine chewing, dentin remains intact while millions of micro-cracks occur in the enamel. It is these cracks, as well as the spaces between the crystalline enamel rods, that gradually fill up with stains and debris. As a result, the teeth eventually develop a dull, lacklustre appearance.
The 6% peroxide gel used in the procedure acts to clear the stains and debris from the micro-cracks in the enamel, restoring a whiter appearance.