Painless procedures - that’s what patients want. Giving patients what they want is returned to your practice in the form of referrals. How do you insure patients will have a painless tooth whitening experience? Reduced sensitivity and increased patient compliance can be achieved by following these guidelines:

High Concentration/Short Modality
Start with the right modality and the right product. Use At-Home 30% with 20-30 minute treatments twice a day for 7 to 10 days. The short modality helps prevent sensitivity from dehydration and allows the patient to do both arches at once without causing TMJ complications. Keeping the entire regimen from 7 to 10 days makes a huge difference in the patients’ overall comfort. As a Haywood study has shown, the first 7 to 10 days is the window for patient compliance. The right whitening prescription keeps them within this window, gives the patient the best chance of completing the treatments, and avoids requiring the patient to try again.

Careful Tray Trimming
The trays should not overlap the gingiva. Pay close attention to the trim and keep the edges smooth and off the soft tissue. When you give the patient the stent, have the patient try it on. Inspect the fit at that time to ensure there are not spots where the stent overlaps the soft tissue. For complete stent fabrication instructions with instructional photos, visit www.life-like.com/stent.

Good Patient Instruction
Stress to patients the importance of using a maximum of 1/4 cc of material. During the demonstration, make the drop into each indentation as small as possible. Show the patient the .25cc calibration marks on the syringe. "Less is best, only use small beads." Repeat this to the patient to make sure you’ve driven the point home.

Troubleshooting
During the patient instruction give the patient these troubleshooting tips: If the gums are blanched, use less material and allow the blanching to heal 12-24 hours. If it is pulpal sensitivity, take a break for a day or two before resuming, use aspirin or ibuprofen as needed, and brush with a desensitizing toothpaste using a soft toothbrush.

Did you know that tooth whitening using carbamide peroxide was originally discovered when treating soft tissue? Dentistry has learned much since those days. Carbamide peroxide is an excellent periodontal option but only when used properly. There is a time to put carbamide peroxide ON the soft tissue and a time to keep it OFF. Here are some guidelines:

Why: To treat gingivitis and periodontitis.
What: Perio-Formula 8% Carbamide Peroxide.
How: Trim the tray above the gingival line. Make sure the tray overlaps the gingiva so the carbamide peroxide is in direct contact with the gums. Only 2-3mm are needed to extend onto the gingival line.

Why: To whiten teeth fast and predictably without soft tissue irritation.
What: At-Home 30% Carbamide Peroxide.
How: Trim the tray off the gingival line and instruct the patient to avoid overfilling the tray. Pay close attention to the trim and keep the edges smooth and off the soft tissue. Overlapping the tray can cause burning, stinging, or blanching. Screen the patient. If you believe the patient cannot follow instructions, perhaps a lower concentration is a better choice. The patient needs a maximum of .25 cc of material to properly load the tray. The calibration on the side of the seal-syringe applicator is an added tool for the patient to follow dosage guidelines.

The fight against gum disease has a new ally. Life-Like Cosmetic Solutions has announced the availability of an At-Home 8% Carbamide Peroxide PerioFormula. The product gives dental professionals an effective periodontal tool that patients can use at-home. Candidates for the Perio Formula include the 80% of the adult population that has gingivitis or periodontitis. The PerioFormula’s carbamide peroxide kills anaerobic bacteria and helps remove debris between the teeth. As a bonus, use of the product helps maintain tooth whitening.

The treatment is an easy addition to dental practices and can be part of patients’ regular oral hygiene routines. It is applied using a stent that is trimmed to extend onto the gingiva by 2-3 millimeters. Only a few extra minutes are required to make an At-Home Cleaning & Debriding stent using the same stone model used for making a whitening stent. Patients wear the tray and gel for 5 to 10 minutes once a day anywhere from a few weeks to an indefinite basis, dependent on their need. Delivered in 2 oz. bottles, using the product will be routine for patients already used to whitening in a similar fashion. The use of therapeutic cleaning and debriding trays is covered by most insurances (cat.# 4381) and can be delivered by auxiliary personnel. It can be used for periodontal prevention, pre or post surgical treatment, and special non-surgical cases (geriatric cases, diabetes mellitus, and immune related disorders).

Historically, carbamide peroxide is a periodontal option that is desperately needed. 10% C.P. (Gly-Oxide and Proxigel), has been used for 50 years to treat soft tissue. Periodontal disease has been linked to heart disease, stroke, premature births, respiratory ailments, and hip replacement infections.

Call Life-Like today and ask for the "Perio-Formula Introductory Offer," and put this new periodontal ally to work for your practice and your patients.