Patient Satisfaction with Teeth Whitening Techniques: In-Office vs. At-Home
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For many years, hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide have been the main chemicals in tooth whitening. In the twentieth century, approaches to tooth whitening changed, but only in the twenty-first century did regulatory bodies begin approving the various techniques. There are many factors in aesthetic outcomes that are beyond the clinician’s control. Amongst these are chemical variations of peroxides, the nature of the discoloration and the behavior of enamel and dentin during the whitening process, and management of the whitening process to reduce sensitivity. Rapid acceptance of light-activated bleaching systems started around twenty years ago. Whether the light-activated systems increase the efficacy of the whitening process and the patient’s satisfaction with the result is presently an unresolved question. This study addresses what is known about successful whitening treatments and the rationale behind common clinical practice.
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