Dentaltown June 2018 - 82

Whitening benefits
As dental providers, we have an incredible opportunity to gift our patients with a simple
treatment that offers a youthful, beautiful and healthy smile. Whitening is a higher-level
cosmetic procedure that can be easily incorporated into any oral health care appointment.
Patients who have brighter smiles are more motivated to maintain healthy smiles. Offering
whitening generates revenue to a practice while establishing an emotional component to
your dental care that combines beauty and health.

Contributing factors
Contact time. When dental professionals think about the value of time, practice chair
time and patient treatment time quickly come to mind. When selecting a modern whitening
system, adequate contact (treatment) time is an essential element to achieving the desired
shade change; however, prolonged contact time is a contributing factor to patient sensitivity
and may lengthen the patient visit.3
How can we effectively whiten without long appointments or treatment sensitivity? Modern whitening
systems with heat-activated mouthpiece technology
are one preferred option. The heat activation increases
efficacy while decreasing treatment time, thereby
preventing sensitivity. A closed-system mouthpiece
mimics a peripheral seal, trapping the whitening oxygen
ions onto the leading edge of the enamel surface. When
combined with the accelerating power of heat activation,
the closed system maximizes the efficacy of whitening
applications, producing fast, dramatic improvements
in tooth shade without sensitivity.6
Studies show that pulp damage occurs when temperatures exceed 53 degrees Celsius.3 When selecting
a heat-activated whitening system, look for technology
that uses a temperature below this threshold to prevent
treatment sensitivity.
Concentration of hydrogen peroxide. The higher the
percentage of concentration of hydrogen peroxide, the
more dramatic the results. However, at high concentrations, there is a risk of sensitivity. Hydrogen peroxide
concentration for chairside whitening typically runs from
24 to 38 percent,7 which is why placing a protective cheek
Color molecules called chromophores join together, increasing the
retractor and gingival barrier is necessary. The hydrogen
chromophore bonds and causing the tooth to look darker and darker. The
peroxide content in at-home bleaching products usually
color molecules collect on the surface of the teeth (extrinsic stains) and the
ranges from 3 to 10 percent, but some home-use products
inside of the teeth (intrinsic stains).
have contained up to 15 percent.8
Level of pH. The health benefits of an alkaline pH
(7 or higher) are talked about in regard to food, oral care
products, supplements, water, pools and more. But what's pH got to do with whitening gel?
An acidic oral pH (less than 5.7) is associated with tooth erosion, enamel demineralization,
acid reflux, GERD and tooth sensitivity.9 Foods and drinks with an acidic pH-colas are pH
3.5-should be consumed sparingly to prevent secondary effects on systemic and oral health.
Generally, the pH within the mouth ranges from 6.2 to 7; enamel demineralization
occurs when the pH level falls below 5.7. Therefore, it's important to be aware of the pH of
the foods and drinks your patients are consuming. In addition, it's important to consider

JUNE 2018 // dentaltown.com

http://www.dentaltown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown June 2018