In the inventive method, a tooth whitener having a concentration of
hydrogen peroxide significantly lower than the concentration typically
used in in-office applications is applied to the teeth in gel form. Next,
thin transparent film is placed over the teeth to seal the tooth whitener
onto the teeth. The film creates a closed system that precludes oxygen
from migrating away from the teeth into the atmosphere. A white light in
the range of 380-660 nm wavelength is then activated to assist in
exciting oxygen in the path of the light and the oxygen molecules bombard
the tooth surfaces. The oxygen molecules may not easily escape from the
tooth surfaces into the atmosphere due to the wrap and, thus, their
whitening "power" is enhanced and lengthened. Then, the patient may
stabilize the whitening results over a 7 to 10 day regime using a lower
concentration tooth whitener.