Hydrogen peroxide is used during vital teeth whitening procedures and is supplied unaltered or as a decomposition product of carbamide peroxide. It has been shown that the active substance presented in bleaching products reduces microhardness of enamel and may cause pulp inflammation. In order to minimize the adverse effect of hydrogen peroxide, remineralizing compounds are used in the treatment. Casein phosphopepetides and amorphous calcium phosphate complex (CPP-ACP), nanohydroxyapatite (nHA), as well as calcium increase the microhardness of enamel. Moreover, CPP-ACP applied during a whitening procedure reduces the penetration of hydrogen peroxide into the tooth structure. In dental protocol, two techniques of vital teeth bleaching are used: a professional method involving the application of the special product directly to the teeth, and tray-based teeth whitening, in which individually prepared dental splints are provided by dentist. It has been demonstrated that both techniques of vital teeth whitening are equally effective, and that the post-effect remains safe and stable. However, the highest colour diversity is achieved by combining the two above-mentioned methods.

Key words: teeth bleaching, hydrogen peroxide, calcium phosphate, dental enamel, colour.