How to Bleach Without Replacing Old Composite

Written By: Michelle Chan, Abir Bou Khouzam, and Lisa Jeong 

Can your current composite keep up with a shade-shift after bleaching?

OMNICHROMA, the first one-shade universal composite, can.

The US continues to be the biggest market for teeth whitening products, with 37 million Americans using them in 2020¹. This comes as no surprise, since according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD)² 99% of Americans consider their smile their most important social asset and therefore continuously seek ways to improve its appearance. A survey shows that 80% of Americans aged 18-49 want whiter teeth, with women leading in this area at 85%. Six out of 10 of those aged 18-24 believe a whiter, brighter smile boosts self- confidence³.

At the same time, dental caries continue to be prevalent among the population: According to the US Department of Health and Human Services (2012)⁴, almost 91% of adults aged between 20 and 64 years in the US have experienced a cavity in their permanent teeth.

Considering both statistics, it is more than likely some of your patients expressing interest in teeth whitening procedures, will have direct restorations present in their dentition. In the past, especially for anterior restorations, this meant a challenge that needed to be navigated – either the composite shade would not match the patient’s new lighter teeth, or it needed to be replaced.

With OMNICHROMA, patients can enjoy more flexibility when it comes to bleaching. The universal one-shade composite does not use dyes or pigments to create a shade match to the patient’s teeth, but rather relies on the phenomenon of structural color to produce a shade that reflects the patient’s natural dentition. This means the composite is able to produce this effect continuously, even after a bleaching procedure. Dentists can provide patients with cosmetic whitening treatments without costly and potentially unnecessary replacements of functioning restorations.

Renowned institutions, such as the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, have researched and confirmed OMNICHROMA’s capability to shade match before and after bleaching. For more information, please refer to the article published in the Journal of Dental Scientists in April 2020 (Tufts University)⁵

Looking for a shade-matching composite that meets all your expectations?

Do you want to ensure that your direct restorations will continue to be aesthetically pleasing even after bleaching treatments?

Whiten smiles with confidence.

Every Shade. One Choice.  

References:

1. Department, Published by Statista Research, and Nov 13. “U.S.: Usage of Tooth Whiteners 2011-2024.” Statista, 13 Nov. 2020, www.statista.com/statistics/287384/usage-of-tooth-whiteners-in-the-us-trend/.
2. “Worldwide Teeth Whitening Industry to 2025 - North America Accounted for the Largest Share in the Global Market.” Edited by Laura Wood, GlobeNewswire News Room, Research and Markets, 7 Jan. 2021, www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2021/01/07/2154847/28124/en/Worldwide-Teeth-Whitening-Indsutry-to-2025-North-America-Accounted-for-the-Largest-Share-in-the-Global-Market.html.
3. Stradley, Linda. “Teeth Whitening.” What's Cooking America, 9 Aug. 2016, whatscookingamerica.net/HealthBeauty/TeethWhitening.htm.
4. “Products - Data Briefs - Number 197 - May 2015.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 6 Nov. 2015, www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db197.htm.
5. Mohamed, MA, et al. “Shade-Matching Capacity of Omnichroma in Anterior Restorations.” Medwin Publishers, Https://Medwinpublishers.com/OAJDS/OAJDS16000247.Pdf?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8YEIaeshBbIEA9MVz9QSc5j_9CZLAtKlgYIeX6tIZ6Dgx5yXrAfbqSKYGuH4sewaXTvTMJNimbudoPH41Jk6D0KmX0EA&_hsmi=88099115&HsCtaTracking=ccaa558e-f441-4bf3-8cc6-53edf4f54b31%7C9a9aeef4-4aaf-4189-8756-63fc35b54d9e, 1 Apr. 2020, https://medwinpublishers.com/OAJDS/OAJDS16000247.pdf.