Treating patients with bleached dentition – John Rafelt Scientific Affairs Manager 3M Oral Care UK & Ireland
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 2nd December 2019
It’s no understatement to say that tooth whitening continues to be one of the most popular beauty trends in the UK. But why has this treatment suddenly gained so much momentum within society, and what about the challenges treating those with bleached dentition can create?
Why tooth whitening is on the rise
With some sources stating that more than 100,000 people in Britain tried tooth whitening in 2018 alone, it’s definitely a beauty trend that’s here to stay.[i]
There are many possible reasons why tooth whitening has rocketed in popularity, the first of which is simply that whitening products are much more accessible than they used to be. Nowadays, you can perform whitening yourself at home using one of hundreds of available kits, have it professionally performed by the dentist or even head to a beauty salon to have your smile brightened (as long as the business employs a dental professional to do so).
Furthermore, awareness of these treatments has continued to blossom as channels such as social media draw more attention to them. Social media influencers are often seen promoting tooth whitening solutions to their audiences,[ii] and there are some products – such as the Australian mega hit HiSmile – that shot to fame thanks to social media endorsements from big names.[iii]
In fact, there is an argument to be made that social media and “selfie culture” in itself could be driving the demand for whiter smiles. As more and more people head to Instagram for exposure, it’s likely that they will want to look their best, and a smile is an important feature. There are also the bright white smiles of celebrities on TV to consider. Love Island, one of the most popular television series in recent years, has often got contestants with almost unnaturally white smiles taking part, and this has led to a 10% increase in sales of tooth whitening products.[iv]
Whiter smiles mean confidence
At the core of all of this is the idea of improving self-image. It has been proven that there are certain physical features that people find attractive, and a white, straight smile is definitely one of them. Research has suggested that as many as 99.7% of people think that having an attractive smile is a good asset, and that 96% of people think that having a good smile makes them more attractive to potential romantic partners.[v]
As such, it makes sense that people would want to pursue treatments that make their smile more attractive. White teeth are presumed to be more attractive as they are a physical indicator of health. People with stained or decaying teeth are generally thought to take less care of themselves.
The problem with the whitening revolution
Despite the obvious benefits that people will get from whitening their teeth, it does have its faults. There have been countless cases of people experiencing excessive sensitivity due to the misuse of tooth whitening products, and in the news, stories of people offering illegal tooth whitening services are the norm.
One challenge that is rarely discussed, however, is how to treat those with bleached dentition when they need restorative work. In the majority of cases the shade of the bleached dentition won’t be excessively white, and therefore will fall into the widely adopted VITA spectrum. On the other hand, with the growing demand for teeth that are hyper-white, there are patients that need to be treated with restorative products specifically created for bleached dentition. It is also useful to explore these products for the growing number of people seeking tooth whitening, especially if they are looking to replace existing non-aesthetic restorations made from materials such as amalgam as well.
With the Extra White (XW) shades of Filtek Universal restorative from 3M Oral Care, clinicians will be able to treat patients’ ultra-white teeth with ease. Usable on its own or in conjunction with other shades of Filtek Universal restorative by 3M – such as Pink Opaquer, which has been specifically designed to mask stains – this innovative product means that those who bleach their teeth can benefit from the same seamless aesthetics post restorative treatment as those with less white dentition.
Keeping up with demand
As the trend for tooth whitening continues, it makes sense to offer your patients restorative measures that can match their new tooth shade. This way you can ensure they get the aesthetics they desire whilst being able to offer a wider pool of patients treatment that won’t compromise their smiles.
For more information, call 0800 626 578 or visit www.3M.co.uk/Dental
References
[i] Mail Online. The Truth About Tooth Whitening. Link: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-113670/The-truth-tooth-whitening.html [Last accessed August 19].
[ii] Dazed Digital. The Complex Relationship Between Influencers and Teeth Whitening Kits. Link: https://www.dazeddigital.com/beauty/head/article/43379/1/complex-relationship-influencers-teeth-whitening-kits [Last accessed August 19].
[iii] Make It. Kylie Jenner Helped Two 20-Something Best Friends Turn A Few Thousand Bucks into a $40 Million Brand. Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/10/hismile-australian-entrepreneurs-tap-social-media-kylie-jenner.html [Last accessed August 19].
[iv] The Telegraph. As Love Island Drives a 10% Increase in Teeth Whitening, Here Are 5 Ways to Improve Your Smile. Link: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/beauty/body/love-island-drives-10-increase-teeth-whitening-5-ways-improve/ [Last accessed August 19].
[v] Tech Navio. The Four Main Factors Fuelling Demand for Teeth Whitening Products. Link: https://blog.technavio.com/blog/the-four-main-factors-fuelling-demand-for-teeth-whitening-products [Last accessed August 19].
