Who you can treat, and who you cannot
The most important lesson here. Getting this wrong hurts somebody.
What you will learn
- The conditions that mean you stop and refer
- How to spot them in a consultation
- Why restorations will not whiten
Do not proceed
- Swollen or bleeding gums. That is gingivitis, and untreated it becomes periodontitis, which is irreversible. Send them to their dentist.
- Gum recession with exposed roots. Roots are very sensitive to bleaching agents and the gel will cause sharp pain. Exposed roots also will not whiten.
- Dead teeth. A dead tooth darkens from the inside. Only a dentist can treat that, from inside the tooth.
- Severe fluorosis, especially the brown staining. That needs crowns or veneers, not whitening.
- Acid erosion. Look for sensitivity, a dull matte finish, rounded or translucent edges, cupping, and small cracks.
Proceed with care and consent
Naturally red haired clients are reported to be at particular risk of sensitivity and zingers. Tell them so, and you may continue with their consent.
Clients with tetracycline staining, which shows as yellow brown or blue grey bands from antibiotics taken while their teeth were forming, may see some improvement. Results cannot be promised.
Technicolor teeth
Bleach does not affect bonding, crowns or porcelain veneers. They keep their colour while everything around them lightens. That mismatch is called technicolor teeth.
Tell the client before you start, not after. If they want their artificial teeth to look better, they need to have had them a good while, over a year, so there is surface staining to remove. Otherwise nothing will change.
On the exam. This lesson answers question 2.