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Procedure for In-office
Tooth Whitening
 A
large number of whitening products are available for in-office
professional teeth whitening system :
While each of these different systems may have unique characteristics
there is usually a standard set of steps.
1: Evaluate Pre-whitening Tooth Shade
Both the patient and dentist will want to be able to determine
how effective the whitening treatment has been. In order to
be able to make this comparison the dentist will need to document
the pre-treatment shade of the patient's teeth.
The dentist will use an array of tooth-shaped porcelain tabs
(each of which is a slightly different color) and compare
each tab with the patient's teeth. The patient is asked to
pick out the tooth color that best matches their teeth and
this value is then recorded.
Professional dental scaling and polishing is usally done
before the bleaching treatment is performed, but it is optional
if the patient's teeth is already cleaned.
2: Isolate Teeth to be Whitened
The peroxide bleaching agents that are used with professional
teeth whitening systems are caustic and can irritate or damage
soft oral tissues. Your dentist will need to isolate the teeth
that will be bleached. They do this by way of placing a "dental
dam".
3: Place Eye Protection
Because of the caustic nature of the peroxide bleaching compounds
used in professional teeth whitening treatments and the laser
light used to activate the bleaching agent, eye protection
is required and worn for protection.
4: Apply Peroxide Whitening Gel
The dentist will dry off the patient's teeth and then apply
the bleaching compound. Professional teeth whiteners are usually
thick pastes or gels. The dentist either dabs or paints them
onto each tooth's surface.
5: Expose Tooth Whitener to Laser Light
The teeth whitening bleaching compound is activated using
a laser light source. This "activation" shortens
the needed treatment time and/or makes the whitener more effective.
6: Leave Tooth Whitener for Prescribed Time
One whitening session may consist of a single or even multiple
applications of the whitener. There is a possibility that
sensitivity may arise during the treatment process. Depending
on your specific experience, your dentist may determine that
it is best to cut the treatment time short and terminate the
bleaching process.
7: Remove Tooth Whitener
The whitening compound is washed and suctioned off the surface
of the teeth. The teeth are thoroughly washed yet again and
then the dental dam and any other isolating materials or devices
are removed.
8: Determine Post-bleaching Tooth Shade
Just like before the professional teeth whitening process
was begun, after the bleaching treatment has been completed,
another shade evaluation will be done to see how much whitening
has been achieved.
Source of information from http://www.animated-teeth.com.
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out more about tooth whitening and FAQs
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