How do whitening strips typically deliver results?

Prepare for the Oregon Expanded Function Dental Assistant Exam. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Ensure you're ready for your certification!

Whitening strips deliver results primarily through chemical diffusion. These strips are coated with a gel containing bleaching agents, usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which penetrate the enamel and dentin of the teeth. As the chemical agents diffuse through the tooth structure, they break down stains and discoloration, effectively whitening the teeth over time.

This process is gradual and relies on the ability of the whitening agent to spread and interact with the chromogenic materials that cause tooth discoloration. Users typically wear the strips for a specified amount of time to allow for this chemical action to occur effectively.

While adhesive bonding refers to how the strips adhere to the teeth, it is not the primary mechanism that delivers results. Thermal reactions and electrical stimulation are not involved in the whitening process of strips; thus, they do not apply to how these products function to achieve whitening.

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