TEETH

WHITENING/BLEACHING
Restorative Dentistry Special Studies I
Group III
Teeth Whitening Options

 In-Office Whitening
 Professionally Dispensed Take Home
Whitening Kits
 Over the Counter Whitening
In-Office Whitening
Types of In-Office Whitening

 Light Activated
 Non-Light Activated
Procedures
A cheek retractor
is inserted into the
mouth, exposing all
the “esthetic zone”
teeth (teeth that are
visible when you
smile)
A hardening resin
is painted onto the
gum tissue to
protect against any
irritation caused by
bleaching gel.
 A bleaching gel
containing
hydrogen peroxide is
applied to the
esthetic zone teeth
and kept on for
approximately 15 to
30 minutes.
The bleaching gel
is suctioned or
washed off, and
fresh gel is applied
for one or more
additional periods
of 15 to 30 minutes.
 The ultraviolet
light is designed to
enhance the in-office
bleaching process.
Some whitening
treatments
incorporate an
intense light that is
focused on the teeth
and is said to activate
or enhance the
bleaching process.
Opinions vary as to
whether this light
improves the
bleaching outcome.
 After the final gel
application, the
cheek retractors are
removed, the patient
rinses and the
immediate post-
treatment shade
change is measured.

If a satisfactory
level of whitening
hasn’t been achieved,
your dentist may
recommend follow-
up in-office bleaching
at a future date,
and/or a regimen of
take-home bleaching
trays.
 Part of the whitening
effect is due to
dehydration during the
bleaching process, which
makes the teeth look
whiter than their true new
color. That color will
emerge after a couple of
days.

*Approximately a week
after the treatment.
*tooth may whiten 2 to 3
or as many a 8 shades
lighter in a 16 patients
study in bleaching.
 Other In-Office Bleaching Options

 BriteSmile
 Opalescence Professional
Whitening
 Zoom Chairside Whitening
 Beyond
Professionally Dispensed Take Home

 Discus Dental Nite White and Day

White ACP
 Discus Dental Nite White Turbo
 Discus Dental Zoom! Weekender Kit
 Opalescence by Ultradent
 Opalescence Trèswhite Supreme
 Over the Counter Whitening
 cheapest and most convenient of the teeth
whitening options involves the use of a store-
bought whitening kit,
 featuring a bleaching gel with a concentration
lower than that of the professionally dispensed
take-home whiteners.
 The gel is applied to the teeth via one-size-fits-all
trays, whitening strips or paint-on applicators.
 In many cases this may only whiten a few of the
front teeth unlike custom trays that can whiten the
entire smile.
Over the Counter Whitening
 Whitening Strips
 Brush-On Whiteners
 Whitening Toothpaste
 Toothpastes with Peroxide
 Toothpastes with Abrasives
 Whitening Floss