Safety Issues of Tooth Bleaching − An Update
There has been little dispute on the efficacy of tooth bleaching; with the accumulation of scientific data, the initial concerns with the safety have also largely dissipated. However, controversies on potential adverse effects associated with peroxides used for bleaching still exist, and there have been safety concerns with certainly bleaching materials, procedures and practices. This presentation will provide an update on safety issues and discuss roles of dental professionals in tooth bleaching to maximize its benefits while minimizing potential risks.
At the end of the lecture, the audience should be able to:
• Explain sources of safety concerns associated with peroxide-based tooth bleaching
• Discuss measures to minimize potential risks of tooth bleaching
• Describe roles of dental professionals in tooth bleaching
Dr. Yiming Li is Professor of Restorative Dentistry and Director of Center for Dental Research, Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. He is also a Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at Loma Linda University School of Medicine. Dr. Li served on the FDA Dental Products Panel between May 2006 and October 2009. Since 1999 he has been Chairman for the American National Standard/ADA Specification 41 for biological evaluation of dental materials. Dr. Li also chairs the ISO committee that has produced the first edition of international standard for tooth bleaching products (ISO 28399). He is currently a consultant to the FDA and ADA. Dr. Li has more than 250 publications in scientific journals and books, and he has lectured in Asia, Australia, Europe, and America.
