What is PAP and is it safe for whitening procedures?
Posted on 8/22/2022 by Cole Anderson, DMD, MS
PAP, an abbreviation for Phthalimido-Peroxy-Caproic acid, is a new teeth whitening treatment. We consider PAP a safe treatment for whitening teeth as it is a noninvasive procedure. Other forms of teeth whitening involve using hydrogen peroxide which works by removing the outer part of the enamel to expose a whiter part. This procedure damages your enamel. PAP on the other hand causes minimal damage to your teeth.
How it works
Oxygen is an important factor in teeth whitening. The process of oxidation breaks down organic double bonds present in teeth that are responsible for their discoloration. PAP contains high levels of oxidation. Through the process of oxidation, PAP neutralizes stains that have built up on the surface of your enamel, behind the enamel and penetrates to the dentine layer where it dissolves stains present in this region. The blue light technology in PAP enables it to penetrate the teeth and dissolve even the deeply entrenched stains. As a result, PAP achieves teeth whitening on three level, not just on the surface as is the case with peroxide whiteners.
Our practice recommends a teeth whitening kit that uses PAP technology over the hydrogen peroxide treatments. Despite bleaching the tooth enamel, peroxide has other long term side effects on your oral health. These include irreversible enamel damage, tooth sensitivity, dentin allergies and irritation. In addition, peroxide-based treatments require several uses before seeing change. PAP technology allows you to see changes in the color of your teeth from the first use.
Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments. It is therefore important to find a treatment option that will leave your teeth intact. Book an appointment with our practice for a teeth whitening treatment option that will not cause any long-term damage to your enamel.