What is the Recommended Carbamide Peroxide Level for a Whitening Gel?

You have asked a very sound question.  Sixteen percent carbide peroxide is a very basic level of bleach to whiten your teeth.  This is equivalent to approximately 5-6 percent hydrogen peroxide.  If you have sensitive teeth this would probably be a good place to start.  If you get your whitening from a dental office you can also be given some fluoride to use in conjunction with the bleaching to help keep your sensitivity under control.  

The best at home products are made with hydrogen peroxide that break down into oxygen and water. carbamide peroxide breaks down into urea. They also contain ingredients that can pull calcium out of the teeth. 15% carbamide is the same strength as 5% hydrogen peroxide. IntelliWHiTE Ultra is 9% Hydrogen peroxide. Results are quick.

 

Before you get started, understand that whitening your teeth is dependant on the length of time the whitener is in contact with your teeth.  Using an over the counter or internet purchased kit will give you a nice result but for best results you will need a combination in-office and at-home technique (Zoom and trays or KOR whitening) or a well fitting set of professionally made trays for at-home bleaching (Night White, Opalescence,etc).  These trays will keep the bleach in contact with your teeth and avoid the leaking of bleach from the tray or saliva into it, rendering the whitener less effective.  In my area (Pennsylvania), tray whitening is pretty inexpensive and many offices actually offer it as a new patient marketing teaser.  Look around for such an offer or talk to your dentist to see how much he charges for this service. 

Now to answer your question, Carbamide Peroxide is a more stable form than hydrogen peroxide so many OTC and internet brands will be of this type.  It is actually about a third as powerful so a 16% carbamide is similar to a 6% hydrogen.  In my opinion, the hydrogen peroxide whiteners are superior in that they do not have to go through the conversion from carbamide to hydrogen before they become activated.  They simply go to work and whiten faster.  I would use the highest concentration that you can tolerate and consider using fluoride (or Relief gel- Discus Dental) in the trays for 5 minutes, waiting an hour then do your bleaching.  This should keep your sensitivity to a minimum.  Also KOR power bleaching works GREAT and with little to no sensitivity. 

I hope you find this information of use.