A look at how the whitening procedure could be just as important as the results.
For clinicians to be able to effectively tap into the burgeoning demand of the £40 million tooth whitening market, the key is understanding the consumer’s convenience considerations. From the busy “time-is-of-the-essence” patient to those looking towards an impending event such as a wedding or graduation, consideration also needs to be given to the time needed to complete treatment, the costs involved and the convenience of appointment times. For all of these people being able to provide the most fitting whitening solution that suits their lifestyle is now an expectation.
But this should be no cause for concern for clinicians when you can offer patients three key options; in-practice whitening, take-home whitening and quick-fix brush-on options – often all within one reliable system. It’s during that first consultation that as the prescribing dental professional you must explain all the options available, including the ones they think they want, whilst probing a little more into their lifestyles to determine which treatment would suit them best.
In the chair?
Whilst home whitening kits offer comfort and convenience, it may take patients a little longer to see the desired results. This is where in-practice whitening treatment comes to the fore. Offering the quickest and most visible results this formulation is often stronger than take-home products.
Following the EU regulations which prohibit concentrations of hydrogen peroxide greater than 6%, treatments such as pola rapid effectively contain only 6% hydrogen peroxide with a high pH to produce a faster release of active oxygen and free radicals which means it is effective in just 45 minutes and can be used with or without a bleaching light.
If patients are prepared to pay for this specialist treatment and spend the time in the chair, they can benefit from fast, effective, and comfortable whitening treatment that’s delivered by professionals!
In the day or night?
When the patient elects a home whitening system, it’s best to determine whether overnight treatment is more advantageous or if a daytime treatment would be more suitable. Well supported for their efficacy and longevity, professionally dispensed take-home whitening treatments are becoming increasingly popular. Depending on the patient’s preference and availability of various strengths and applications, whitening agents can be applied for as little as 30 minutes per day or longer at night.
Advantages can be gained from wearing trays overnight as they naturally tend to be longer than their daytime equivalents. This helps reduce the total number of treatments required. Trays are particularly beneficial for cases where the type of tooth staining being treated is especially stubborn.
The range of strengths enables clinicians and patients alike to choose a suitable level of active whitening agent for day or night application and the sensitivity of the patient’s teeth. Formulations such as Pola Day and Pola Night contain a built-in desensitiser, a high water content to reduce sensitivity, and fluoride release to remineralise the tooth surface, providing added protection against sensitivity.
On the go?
For the ultimate convenience, patients can walk away and continue with on-the-move, brush-on treatment to suit their needs. They can apply a touch-up procedure whenever they wish, at any time during the day or night, an ideal way to maintain tooth whitening between in-practice or take-home whitening sessions. Patients with limited time on their hands will appreciate the convenience and speed of this option via Pola Luminate, for instance, a 6% hydrogen peroxide, low viscosity, fast-drying gel which can be applied twice a day for 30 minutes without needing a tray.
So, when discussing whitening with patients, it is important not just to find out what they want but also to consider how they want it. When you have the answer to that, you can provide the ultimate whitening service to meet your patients’ needs.