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An increase in patient awareness and education has seen the demand for cosmetic dentistry rise. The use of social media applications such as Instagram provide patients with a plethora of information on procedures, such as direct composite bonding, veneers of different types and the align, bleach and bond protocol. When using social media applications, it is common to see advertisements for ‘peroxide-free’ gels, from a range of brands, many of which ‘influencers’ and celebrities are paid to endorse. These direct-to-consumer products allow the patient to bypass the traditional method of speaking to their dental practitioner. This coupled with the reach that some of these companies possess on social media platforms means that patients could be putting their future dental health at risk. This article outlines the risks involved in the use of ‘peroxide-free’ bleaching gels, which are becoming increasingly popular among patients. Furthermore, the article also outlines the potential pitfalls associated when ‘peroxide-free’ gels are used in conjunction with other unregulated dental products such as ‘charcoal toothpastes’ and ‘direct-to-consumer aligners’
CPD/Clinical Relevance: This article aims to help clinicians to recognize and discuss the dangers associated with unregulated whitening products and direct-to-consumer orthodontics with patients.
Article
As a general dentist working in an area with demands for ‘cosmetic dentistry’, many patients request treatment, such as composite bonding, veneers, crowns and most commonly, at-home tooth whitening (bleaching). A detailed discussion with patients is required to ascertain their preferences regarding wearing bleaching trays overnight, or for a 30-minute period during the day, to help the clinician to decide which system to choose.
At-home bleaching can be a simple and safe procedure, which can benefit a patient aesthetically. The procedure is often straightforward, involving two to three appointments, consisting of the following.
Nightguard vital bleaching (NGVB) with 16% carbamide peroxide1 (or 6% hydrogen peroxide) can provide excellent and reliable results for a patient.2 There has been much research into treatment efficacy, which means that once it has been prescribed by a dentist, vital bleaching is one of the safest and best-tested methods for tooth bleaching.3
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