This course will educate the practitioner in techniques presently used to perform vital bleaching.

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to do the following:

1. Use current techniques for vital tooth bleaching.
2. Understand the various agents used.
3. Understand the bleaching needs for different tooth stain problems.
4. Understand the difficulties in and contraindications to tooth bleaching.

Historically, dentistry has been concerned with the quest for a “beautiful smile“. Vital tooth bleaching, a treatment capable of altering the value and chroma of teeth, is gaining popularity. Bleaching therapy offers a conservative, non-invasive treatment, which can, for some patients, negate the need for crowns or porcelain veneers. It is defined as the application of oxidizing agents to the external surfaces of teeth to alter their shade, resulting in a more esthetically pleasing appearance. Materials, methods, and clinical examples to augment any dentist's present methods of vital bleaching are presented in this course.

COURSE OUTLINE

1. Vital Bleaching
   
   
   1. Tooth Discoloration
      
      
   2. Indications
      
      
   3. Contraindications
      
      
   4. Considerations
      
   
   
2. Classification of Methods
   
   
   1. In-Office
      
      
      1. Technique
         
      
      
   2. At-Home
      
      
      1. Technique
         
      
      
   3. Combination Approach
      
      
      1. Technique
         
   
   
3. Applications
   
   
4. Physical Properties
   
   
5. Treatment Planning
   
   
6. Summary
   

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