How long should a dentist wait after tooth whitening before making any restorations?

After tooth whitening, a dentist should wait for approximately 5 days before making any restorations. This waiting period is essential because, immediately after whitening treatments, the enamel can be temporarily more porous and susceptible to absorption of materials and staining. Additionally, the tooth's structure may still be undergoing changes as it stabilizes after the whitening agent has been applied.

Waiting for about 5 days allows for the teeth to return to a more stable state, ensuring that any restorations placed are not negatively influenced by the residual effects of the whitening process. Restorations placed too soon could lead to issues such as poor adhesion or discoloration over time.

Choosing a timeframe longer than 5 days, such as 2 weeks, is often unnecessary and might delay treatment for the patient without added benefit, while a shorter duration, like 24 hours or 1 week, could risk the stability of the restoration. Thus, a 5-day waiting period strikes the best balance between allowing teeth to stabilize and minimizing treatment delays.