National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) Dental Hygienist Practice Test

Vital whitening is performed on which of the following?

1. Dentures

2. Tooth with no live nerve

3. Tooth with live nerve

4. Cavities

The correct answer is: Tooth with live nerve

Vital whitening refers to the cosmetic procedure aimed at lightening the color of teeth that still have an active nerve supply, meaning the tooth is still living and vital. This process is typically done on teeth that are discolored due to various factors like stains from food and beverages or intrinsic discoloration caused by trauma or developmental issues, but where the pulp is still alive. In this context, teeth that have no live nerve or significant structural issues cannot be effectively treated with vital whitening. For example, dentures, which are artificial replacements for lost teeth, do not undergo whitening procedures because they are not natural teeth with nerves. Similarly, a tooth that no longer has a viable nerve supply, such as one that has undergone root canal treatment, generally cannot benefit from vital whitening. These teeth may require different treatment options if they need to be lightened, such as external bleaching methods or restorative approaches. Lastly, cavities represent areas of decay that require restorative care, and they do not qualify for whitening since the focus is on decay management rather than aesthetic enhancement. Thus, vital whitening is specifically indicated for teeth that still contain living pulp, making it a targeted treatment for enhancing the aesthetics of vital teeth.