Bleaching and bonding for the older patient

Chronologic age affects different people in a huge variety of ways, including their perception of their self image. There are enormous variations in the expectations of older people. Many are physically well and want to maintain, or enhance, their dental and oral appearance, preferably at a minimal biologic cost. For this group bleaching and bonding represents very good biologic and financial value. The accumulation of various stains over many years often results in yellowing or browning of the teeth. This can be regarded, by some patients, as being an unacceptably ageing feature of their smile. Many well-groomed older people regard these stains and discolorations as being capable of being interpreted by others, such as their young grandchildren, as reflecting poor maintenance cleaning on their part.

Wear of teeth is a normal physiologic aspect of ageing but, if pathologic, can result in shortened, worn teeth where the visible internal dentine shows. This visibly exposed dentine can become stained, often significantly, by normal dietary chromophores, for example tea, coffee, red wine, curry, or worse, by cigarettes, cigar or pipe smoking. These shortened teeth can look dark and the combination of dark colour and shortened shape is unacceptable to many patients.