Whitening Tips: How to handle patient tooth sensitivity [VIDEO]

Dr. Sam Halabo, general dentist from San Diego, Calif., says whitening can lead to patients accepting additional needed and cosmetic dental procedures down the road. Whitening opens the door to a more successful practice.  

“There could be a chipped tooth that [the patient] sees more once they whiten their teeth,” he says. “Also, sometimes their teeth could be crooked and once they whiten them they have these nice, white teeth, but now they’re crooked, which could lead to further treatment.”

So, what do you do if a patient complains about tooth sensitivity from a whitening treatment? Or is nervous about potential sensitivity?

For Halabo, it’s all about the right product and knowing how to use it. At Halabo’s California practice, they encourage patients to go ahead with whitening following minor hygiene appointments. They also practice a patient loyalty program so patients who come to their appointment get a free tube of whitening.

It cuts down on appointment cancelations and drives more and more business to the practice.

This is all possible with SDI’s Pola Whitening line, he explains.

“One of the reasons we love the Pola Whitening line is because there are seven different levels of concentrations to choose from,” says Halabo, adding that there are usually three different Pola Whitening concentrations in the office at one time.

Watch this video interview to learn more about how to handle patient sensitivity, such as including a fluoride treatment during whitening:

Here's more Whitening Help from Dr. Sam Halabo, DDS

Tips for Dental Patients Who Whiten at Home

How to Approach Patients About Whitening