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AESTHETIC DENTISTRY SECTION

REFERENCES
1. Simsek H, Buyuk SK, Cetinkaya E, Tural M, Koseoglu MS.”How
I whiten my teeth”:YouTube as a patient information resource for
teeth whitening. BMC Oral Health. 2020; 1; 20: 183.
2. Paravina RD, Johnston WM, Powers JM. New shade guide for
evaluation of tooth whitening - colorimetric study. J Esthet Restor
Dent. 2007; 19: 276-83.
3. Paravina RD. New shade guide for tooth whitening monitoring:
visual assessment. J Prosthet Dent. 2008; 99: 178-84.
4. Joiner A, Luo W. Tooth colour and whiteness: A review. J Dent.
2017; 67S:S3-S10.
5. Knezović Zlatarić D, Žagar M, Illeš D. A clinical study assessing
Fig 10: Good clinical digital communication with the patient contributes the short-term efficacy of combined in-office/at-home whitening
to better patient satisfaction with the procedure. treatment. J Esthet Restor Dent. 2019; 31: 140-146.

bleached index for the patient means the desired change in shade, and The user report is based on the publication in the Dental Tribune
for the dentist, proof of the success of the procedure after a properly Croatia Magazine.
set indication. Implementing the described process, helps in better
understanding of the procedure and avoids unrealistic expectations.
The inclusion of the mobile application in the whitening process
and digital transmission of information to the patient is also a great
advance in the patient-dentist communication because they strengthen
mutual trust, simplify communication and contribute to the success of
the procedure and patient satisfaction (Figures 9 and 10).
However, it should be noted that the computer simulation shows the
patient the future tooth shade that needs to be achieved, which means
that we do not overcommit and take care to set the indication correctly ABOUT THE AUTHOR
and choose the whitening technique, material and most importantly,
the duration of the procedure to the desired results. It is also important
to mention to the patient that this is a simulation and that the real
result will be measured in the end, so that there are no false promises.
A bleached index of 1 is rarely obtained through the whitening process.
As pointed out at the beginning of this article, most of our candidates
for whitening are relatively young people who are, very skilled in digital
forms of communication, which can contribute to their involvement in
the process. Our patients like to be well informed, and any progress
in the whitening process (in the form of a decrease in the value of the Dubravka Knezović Zlatarić is the Professor of
bleached index) is motivating for them and for proper oral hygiene, Prosthodontics in the Department of Removable
and strengthens their confidence in the dental procedure and dentists. Prosthodontics and Head of Elective Lectures Basics of
The photos we send to the patient from the mobile application often Esthetic Dentistry and Digital clinical communication with
end up on social media. Patients like to show off their newly achieved the dental laboratory at the School of Dental Medicine,
University of Zagreb, Croatia, where she gained her clinical
tooth shade and often receive a great deal of praise for it. certificate in Prosthodontics and completed her PhD. As
It is all about the new, modern digital era and Generation Z! n a member of European Prosthetic Association she was
awarded three times - for the best presented scientific study,
poster presentation and for the young investigators in the
“Our patients like to be well informed, fields of Prosthodontics. In 2007, she was the winner of the
and any progress in the whitening second place for outstanding poster presentation at the
meeting of the International College of Prosthodontists in
process in the form of a decrease Fukuoka, Japan. Professor has been the principle investigator
in the value of the bleached index is and project manager of several scientific projects financed
by Ministry of science and University of Zagreb, Croatia.
motivating for them and strengthens Professor’s research and clinical focus is on various esthetic
their confidence in the dental procedure dental treatments with emphasis on minimally invasive
and dentists.” procedures restoring teeth to their natural appearance in
different colour management protocols.

40 Dental Practice i March-April 2024 i Vol 20 No 2