Pola Office+ In-Office Whitening System
SDI (North America) Inc
The 30-minute total treatment time results in increased patient comfort and improved productivity and profitability.
SDI (North America), the manufacturer of Pola Office+, describes the product as the fastest bleach on the market. With a total treatment time of less than 30 minutes, patient comfort and satisfaction are increased. The 37.5% hydrogen peroxide formula means that the peroxide ions are quickly released to begin the bleaching process.
Pola Office+ can be used with or without a bleaching light; however, the manufacturer says that the use of a light (either a bleaching light or a standard heat-emitting curing light) will accelerate the whitening process. In addition, the product formulation incorporates potassium nitrate to inhibit posttreatment sensitivity.
Fourteen dentists participated in this Dental Product Shopper evaluation. They examined such items as ease of use, effectiveness, and the delivery system. In addition, the evaluators supplied each of their patients with a take-home kit (either PolaDay or PolaNight) and asked for their feedback.
Ease of Use
The manufacturer describes Pola Office+ as easy to use. After applying a thin layer of gel, per the manufacturer instructions, the clinician uses the syringe tip to spread the gel on all tooth surfaces. Because the gel is sticky it adheres firmly to the surfaces to maximize the whitening effect.
Three evaluators rated in-offi ce ease of use as excellent, 7 rated it as very good, and 4 rated it as good to fair. An evaluator from Dallas described the system as “very simple to set up for the patient with reduced prep time compared to [another product].” Another evaluator liked the “small learning curve,” and an evaluator from Bayside, NY, described Pola Office+ as “easy to use for the staff, doctor, and patient.”
When asked about what they would like to see improved, 4 evaluators commented that they found the cheek retractor difficult to place in some patients. One of these evaluators suggested “a more comfortable mouth prop with some form of a bite…so that the patient’s mouth can rest during treatment.”
Effectiveness
The evaluators were asked to rate the effectiveness of Pola Office+, both from their perspective and that of their patients. With regard to patient satisfaction with effectiveness, 2 evaluators rated the product as excellent, 4 rated it as very good, and 8 rated it as good. With regard to clinician satisfaction, 3 evaluators rated Pola Office+ as excellent, 4 rated it as very good, 6 rated it as good, and 1 rated it as fair.
One evaluator said, “My patients have been very pleased with the results. To me, that is paramount.” An evaluator who practices in Hempstead, NY, said, “The results and the time to achieve the results were excellent.”
Delivery System
Pola Office+ uses a dual-syringe system that mixes as the gel is applied directly to the tooth. According to the manufacturer, this ensures a consistent blend of freshly activated gel, which maximizes the whitening effect. The applicator tip is fine, which is described as easing application, especially in tight areas.
The delivery system was rated as excellent by 3 evaluators, as very good by 8, and as good by 3. Three evaluators listed the delivery system as the feature they liked best about the product, with one describing it as “very user friendly.”
Overall Satisfaction
Ten evaluators said they would definitely or probably recommend Pola Office+ to their colleagues. When asked about their overall satisfaction with the product, 7 evaluators rated is as excellent to very good, 5 rated it as good, and 2 rated it as fair.
One evaluator summed up her experience, saying, “I like that there is no need to use an additional light for the bleaching process. I also liked the shortened time exposure. My patients did not complain about postoperative sensitivity.” Another evaluator said, “The product was easy to use and the results were great.”
