TEETH BLEACHING- Forword

FOREWORD 

Should we bleach people's teeth or not? That still seems to be a question in the minds of some dentists. While the profession has been bleaching teeth for over 100 years, there has never been such an interest in bleaching as now. That interest is partially related to the interconnection of the world through television, the aesthetic appearance of television announcers, actors and models, the impact of movies (in which even the bad guys have good-looking teeth), and the relatively affluent and fashion-conscious times in which we live. However, that interest is also due to the introduction about 10 years ago of the most simple, safe, efficient method for changing the colour of teeth, Nightguard Vital Bleaching or at-home bleaching with 10% carbamide peroxide in a custom-fitted tray. Because this technique can be offered by any dentist with minimal cost to the patient, all other types of bleaching are also enjoying a revival of interest.

Dentist-prescribed, home-applied bleaching has been cited by Dr Gordon Christensen as 'the most important behavior changing procedure available to dentists'. While there were arly concerns for safety and efficacy, the evidence in double-blinded clinical and laboratory research as well as millions of patient treatments has addressed those concerns. Recently, the American Dental Association published its conclusion that 'the preponderance of scientific evidence currently available in the literature supports the safety of the ADA-accepted home-use and dentist-prescribed tooth-bleaching products when properly applied and monitored'.


Then should we bleach teeth? Absolutely YES! Not only is there an aesthetic gain for the patient at minimal risk and cost, but this procedure preserves tooth structure and simplifies restorative procedures for the dentist as •. v ell. Research has shown that the color of dentine is being changed which offers conservative treatment options for tetracycline-stained teeth as well as other intrinsic stains. I applaud Dr Linda Greenwall for striving to publicize further the current knowledge about bleaching. I pray that patients will not continue to be subjected to needless crowns or veneers, or be ernbarrassed 'with discolored teeth when bleaching could resolve their problem and improve their quality of life. .

Van. B Haywood Professor, Department of Oral Rehabilitation

. University of Georgia, USA