FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 1997
CONTACT:
Chris Martin; [email protected]
Jann Ingmire; [email protected]
312/440/2806
Tooth Whitening Conference Sheds Light on Bleaching Research, Trends
CHICAGO -- For two days last September, the nation's leading tooth
bleaching experts gathered in North Carolina to share ideas on what
works and what doesn't in the fast-growing tooth bleaching segment of
cosmetic dentistry. The conference, "International Symposium on the
Non-Restorative Treatment of Discolored Teeth" was held at the School of
Dentistry of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and
supported by Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals.
The researchers attempted to address some of the following questions
that dentists and patients have been asking about tooth bleaching:
* When is bleaching appropriate?
* What techniques and procedures are best?
* What do we know about the safety and effectiveness of these
treatments?
Some of the more significant findings that came out of the conference
include:
Dentist-prescribed, home-applied bleaching made by a reputable
manufacturer and used under the supervision of a dentist in a relatively
short-term treatment duration is safe and recognized as most effective
in lightening the color of teeth. Bleaching materials that have
received the ADA Seal of Acceptance are recommended.
Over-the-counter bleaching products-not including toothpastes-used by
the public without the supervision of a dentist are a significant source
of concern in terms of safety and efficacy and are not recommended
because of their potential for long-term overuse and abuse by uninformed
patients. Also, not all patients will enjoy a successful outcome.
New technologies involving laser bleaching are promising and may prove
to be effective for removal of deep-seated teeth discoloration.
However, controlled-clinical trials are needed to confirm long-term
safety and effectiveness. Also, laser bleaching appears to be more
labor intensive, costly and technique-sensitive than more conventional
in-office bleaching methods.
Mild thermal sensitivity is a common side effect associated with most
in-office and dentist-prescribed home bleaching methods. However, no
long term irreversible tissue effects have been demonstrated in relevant
clinical studies.
Full text of the more significant reports from the symposium were
published in a special supplement to the April Journal of the American
Dental Association (JADA). Journalists who wish to receive a copy of the
supplement, may call the ADA's Department of Media and Creative Services
at 312/440-2806 or send an email to Chris Martin at [email protected] or
Jann Ingmire at [email protected].
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