Philips Zoom NiteWhite 16% vs 22%: Which Strength Should You Choose?
Short answer
Choose NiteWhite 16% if your teeth tend to be sensitive, and NiteWhite 22% if you want results faster. Both are carbamide peroxide gels worn in custom trays for 2 to 4 hours or overnight, according to Philips.
Side by side
| NiteWhite 16% | NiteWhite 22% | |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | 16% carbamide peroxide | 22% carbamide peroxide |
| Hydrogen peroxide released | About 5 to 6% | About 8% (Philips states 7.96%) |
| Wear time | 2 to 4 hours or overnight | 2 to 4 hours or overnight |
| Best for | Sensitive teeth | Faster results |
The 16% figure is worked out from the American Dental Association's rule that carbamide peroxide releases about one third of its strength as hydrogen peroxide.
Which strength whitens faster?
The higher one. The American Dental Association states that treatment time is dictated mainly by the concentration used. In a clinical trial that compared two carbamide peroxide strengths, the stronger gel gave significantly lighter teeth at the two week mark.
Which strength is better for sensitive teeth?
The lower one. The American Dental Association says sensitivity can be more common with higher concentrations, and a 2018 analysis of 13 trials found lower strength carbamide peroxide caused less sensitivity, and milder sensitivity, than stronger gels. If you have had sensitivity with whitening before, start with 16%.
Do you wear them for different lengths of time?
No. Philips lists the same wear time for both: 2 to 4 hours during the day, or overnight. The difference is how quickly the colour changes, not how long each session lasts.
What do you need to use NiteWhite?
A set of custom-fitted whitening trays. NiteWhite comes in syringes, and you place a small amount of gel in each tray. Philips states the gel does not need to be refrigerated.
Sources and evidence
- American Dental Association, "Whitening" (updated 2022): concentration and treatment time, sensitivity, the one third rule.
- Operative Dentistry (2018): lower compared with stronger carbamide peroxide gels, 13 trials.
- Matis and colleagues, Quintessence International (2000), "Clinical evaluation of bleaching agents of different concentrations": colour change at two weeks.
- Philips, Zoom take-home whitening product information and NiteWhite specification sheet (2023): wear times, hydrogen peroxide equivalent, storage.
Related questions
What is the difference between NiteWhite and DayWhite?
The peroxide type and the wear time. See the comparison.
Is 22% carbamide peroxide stronger than 15% hydrogen peroxide?
They are measured differently. See hydrogen vs carbamide peroxide.
How often can you use whitening trays?
Once a day during a course, then occasional touch-ups. See the full answer.
Relevant products
General information only, not dental advice.