Congratulations! You’ve just experienced a revolutionary tooth whitening procedure. The next 48 hours are important in enhancing and maximizing your whitening results for a long lasting, bright and healthy smile.
For the next 48 hours, dark staining substances should be avoided, such as:
The following information has been given so that you can make an educated and informed decision about having your teeth whitened. You have the right to ask questions about any procedure before agreeing to undergo the procedure.
Description of the Procedure
In-office tooth whitening is a procedure designed to lighten the color of your teeth using a hydrogen peroxide gel. The whitening treatment produces maximum whitening results in the shortest possible time. During the procedure, the whitening gel will be applied to your teeth for three (3) to four(4), 15-minute sessions. During the entire treatment, a plastic retractor will be placed in my mouth to help keep it open and the soft tissues of my mouth (i.e., my lips, gums, cheeks and tongue) will be covered to ensure they are not exposed to either the gel. Lip balm may also be applied. After the treatment is completed, the retractor and all gel and tissue coverings will be removed from your mouth. Before and after the treatment, the shade of your upper-front teeth will be assessed and recorded.
Alternative Treatments
There are many alternative treatments to whiten teeth, such as whitening toothpastes and gels, other in-office Whitening Treatments, take-home Whitening Kits and more! Call Smile Innovations today for further details.
Treatment Plans
With multiple colorations, bands, splotches or spots due to tetracycline use or fluorosis do not whiten as well, may need multiple treatments or and may not whiten at all. I understand that teeth with many fillings, cavities may not lighten and are usually best treated with other non-bleaching alternatives. I understand that provisionals or temporaries made from acrylics may become discolored after exposure to whitening treatment. I understand that the results of my Whitening Treatment cannot be guaranteed.
Potential Problems
The safety, efficacy, potential complications and risks of whitening treatment can be explained to you by contacting Smile Innovations.
Tooth Sensitivity & Pain
During the first 24 hours after whitening treatment, some patients can experience some tooth sensitivity or pain. This is normal and is usually mild, but it can be worse in susceptible individuals. Normally, tooth sensitivity or pain following a treatment subsides within 24 hours, but in rare cases can persist for longer periods of time in susceptible individuals. People with existing sensitivity, recession, exposed dentin, exposed root surfaces, recently cracked teeth, abfractions (micro-cracks), open cavities, leaking fillings, or other dental conditions that cause sensitivity or allow penetration of the gel into the tooth may find that those conditions increase or prolong tooth sensitivity or pain after whitening treatment.
If your teeth are sensitive after whitening, a mild analgesic such as Tylenol or Advil will usually be effective in making you more comfortable until your tooth sensitivity returns to normal.
Gum, Lip, or Cheek Inflammation
Whitening may cause inflammation of your gums, lips or cheek margins. This is due to inadvertent exposure of a small area of those tissues to the whitening gel or the ultraviolet light. The inflammation is usually temporary which will subside in a few days but may persist longer and may result in significant pain or discomfort, depending on the degree to which the soft tissues were exposed to the gel.
Dry or Chapped Lips
The whitening treatment involves three, 15-minute sessions during which the mouth is kept open continuously for the entire treatment by a plastic retractor. This could result in dryness or chapping of the lips or cheek margins, which can be treated by application of lip balm, petroleum jelly or Vitamin E cream.
Cavities or Leaking Fillings
Most dental whitening is indicated for the outside of the teeth, except for patients who have already undergone a root canal procedure. If any open cavities or fillings that are leaking and allowing gel to penetrate the tooth are present, significant pain could result. I understand that if my teeth have these conditions, I should have my cavities filled or my fillings redone before undergoing the whitening treatment.
Cervical Abrasion or Erosion
These are conditions which affect the roots of the teeth when the gums recede and they are characterized by grooves, notches and/or depressions, that appear darker than the rest of the teeth, where the teeth meet the gums. These areas appear darker because they lack the enamel that covers the rest of the teeth. Even if these areas are not currently sensitive, they can allow the whitening gel to penetrate the teeth, causing sensitivity.
Root Resorption
This is a condition where the root of the tooth starts to dissolve either from the inside or outside. Although the cause of this is still uncertain, I understand that there is evidence that indicates the incidence of root resorption is higher in patients who have undergone root canals followed by whitening procedures.
Relapse
After the whitening treatment, it is natural for the teeth that underwent treatment to regress somewhat in their shading after treatment. This is natural and should be very gradual, but it can be accelerated by exposing the teeth to various staining agents. Treatment usually involves wearing a take-home tray or repeating the whitening treatment.