In-office whitening procedures comprise a large part of today's general dentistry practice. In addition, the number of patients who whiten their teeth at home using OTC products is growing significantly. Patients may not know that dentin hypersensitivity is the primary side effect of any whitening treatment. Studies have shown that some 55 to 75 percent of patients experience sensitivity from the effects of repeated bleach applications.
Typically, pain begins early in the whitening process, and disappears completely a day or two after the whitening regimen is completed. But some patients experience pain throughout the whitening process.
While patients may experience whitening-related sensitivity, it appears often to be connected to patients who have a history of dentin hypersensitivity. Thus, dentists should ask patients who are considering an at-home or in-office whitening procedure if their teeth are sensitive to hot or cold stimuli.
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