May 19, 2004

By: Martin Murane
Website: http://www.teeth-whitening-smiles.com

Getting Whiter Teeth – Many Options Available

Chepachet dentist Dr. George A. Resnevic and Woonsocket dentist Dr. Kerri-Rae Agin have joined their offices' resources to develop one of the widest ranges of professional tooth whitening services available anywhere.

Almost every patient we talk to is at least a bit intrigued to have whiter teeth, says Dr. Resnevic. But, of course, each patient's situation is different: Some people smile showing all of their teeth, others show only a few. Some have sensitive teeth, some do not. Some want quick results, and others can wait. And, of course, some teeth are naturally whiter than others. Similarly, the patients' budgets vary.

We have developed a system where we can match the whitening power and cost to the needs and wants of the patient, Dr. Resnevic announced.

All tooth whitening utilizes a special form of peroxide, which is an oxidizing agent for the tooth. Whitened teeth are whitened internally as well as on the surface -- the process actually changes the underlying color of the translucent tooth. The degree of whitening of a particular tooth depends on the original coloration of the tooth as well as the concentration of the peroxide, duration of application, and other factors such as light and heat.

However, these factors can also affect tooth sensitivity that a person may experience after whitening.

Fortunately we have the means to desensitize the teeth to the effects of the bleaching agent, so that most root sensitivity is a short term and relatively minor occurrence, reassures Dr. Agin.

Also, tooth whitening agents only whiten teeth, and do not affect composite fillings or porcelain or acrylic crowns. These sometimes appear dark after whitening treatment because the surrounding teeth are so much brighter. After the whitening procedure, these restorations can be replaced with new ones that match the newly whitened teeth.

Tooth whitening can be used to minimize the appearance of developmental defects in the enamel, white or brown stains called hypocalcifications, and even help some of the severe discoloration caused by tetracycline staining. All teeth respond to the treatment to some degree; however, people whose original tooth color was brown or orange often see more dramatic results than those with gray teeth.

Long term safety has been demonstrated by the fact that whitening techniques have been widely used for over a decade. Outside of the tooth sensitivity mentioned above and the possibility of burning the gums should higher concentrations of peroxide be allowed to contact them, safety and efficacy of these procedures is unchallenged.

The longevity of the whitening effect can be anywhere from a year to many years, depending on the eating, drinking and smoking habits of the individual. In most cases, touch up treatment after that time can be accomplished for a small fraction of the original cost of the whitening.

The types of whitening offered by Drs. Resnevic and Agin include:

• * Crest Professional Strength Whitestrips: The doctors recommend Professional Strength Whitestrips for people whose teeth are not severely discolored or orthodontically crowded, and wish to brighten their smile affordably. The Professional; Whitestrips contain 9% peroxide and, according to the manufacturer, whiten 42% better than the commercial product. They are applied to the top and bottom six front teeth for a half hour, twice daily for three weeks. The Whitestrips do not cover the teeth at the sides of the mouth nor are they scalloped to accommodate the shape of teeth where they emerge from the gums, and are therefore not suitable for persons with a broad or gummy smile. Also, they are the most likely of the three treatment modalities to allow the peroxide to irritate the gums. Nonetheless, they do whiten teeth effectively and, since they come with a tube of whitening toothpaste, an electric toothbrush, and a $15 manufacturer's rebate coupon, they represent an exceptional value in professionally supervised tooth whitening at $59.
• * Tray Systems: For people who want a stronger whitener or are not good candidates for Whitestrips, the doctors recommend customized tray bleaching systems. Tray systems are the most flexible and most well researched treatment option. From molds of the patient's mouth, customized clear plastic trays are made which the patient takes home and fills with whitener that can be prescribed anywhere from 11 to 22% peroxide. The custom-made trays keep the bleaching agent off the gums, and allow it to spread over the entire tooth. Also, for individuals with sensitive teeth, the trays can be used to deliver a desensitizer to the teeth. The trays are worn anywhere from an hour per day to overnight for seven to 10 days.
• * One Visit Bleaching: The strongest and quickest tooth whitening available whitens the teeth quickly and definitively in a single office visit. A desensitizer is applied, the gums are isolated and a warm 35% peroxide solution is applied to the teeth and activated for one hour using a special plasma arc lamp. It gives the ultimate bleaching outcome conveniently, and eliminates the need for the patient's having to deal with potentially messy trays or strips. It does not need to be touched up as long as the patient uses a peroxide toothpaste which is supplied by the office.

Author Notes:

Martin Murane contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.teeth-whitening-smiles.com.  Everything you need to know to get a whiter, brighter smile!