Tooth Whitening
http://www.drsklar.com/ptinfo/whiten.htm

    Not only can we make your teeth stronger with today's new materials, but look at the difference in appearance!

What Is Tooth Whitening?
    It's a bleaching process that lightens discolorations and removes stains from the enamel and dentin of the teeth.  Professional tooth whitening uses a carbamide peroxide gel in a custom mouth guard that is worn over your teeth.

before whitening
before

after whitening
after


What Is Tooth Discoloration?
    There are many causes. We recognize the distinction between internal and external stains.

    Over the counter products (whitening toothpastes and related products) are for external stains.  Professional whitening is the only way to actually make the teeth themselves whiter.

Who May Benefit From Tooth Whitening?
    Almost everyone. However there are some cases where the treatment may be less effective. The most difficult situations to whiten are those teeth with tetracycline staining.  Also, and this is important, teeth whiten, crowns,  fillings, and veneers do not.  If you are planning any crowns, fillings and/or veneers as part of your overall treatment, you may want to whiten your teeth first.

Can I Bleach While I Am Pregnant Or Nursing?
    To date, there has been no testing done on the effects of using a professional tooth-whitening system during pregnancy or nursing. Therefore, we do not recommend that you whiten your teeth if you are pregnant or nursing.

Why Aren't My Teeth Whitening Evenly?
    Sometimes the biting edges and the sides of the teeth whiten more quickly than the rest of the teeth. This occurs because your enamel is thicker in these areas and responds faster to the whitening process. As you continue to use the whitening gel, the rest of your teeth will catch up and the color will even out.
Evaluation for Whitening
  • no cavities (examination and x-rays required)
  • all fillings, crowns, etc. sealed tightly
  • not recommended during pregnancy or nursing

  Note
  • fillings, veneers, crowns, bonding (i.e. restorative materials) will not whiten
  • teeth may become more sensitive during whitening - reversible when stopped

Is The Process Safe?
    Research indicates that whitening teeth with carbamide peroxide under the supervision of a dentist is safe for teeth and gums.  The whitening process does not damage enamel or weaken a tooth.  For some people teeth become more sensitive during the process, but this goes away when you stop the whitening process.

Product And Method We Use
    We use Opalescence whitening gel.  There are many companies that make whitening gels, and we find this to be the most pleasing and effective.  It is available in strengths of 10%, 15%, and 20% for at home use.  We usually start people with 15%.  For very sensitive teeth, 10% is the better choice, and for those who are not sensitive at all, 20% is acceptable.  Custom whitening trays are critical to making the process effective, because "wells" are created to place the gel in next to the front surface of each tooth.

    Two short office visits

    At home, the custom trays (with whitening gel) are worn one hour a day.

NOTE:  Some products still have directions for night time wear, but current research tells us that effective whitening does not occur after the first hour.  What will occur with longer wear is an increase in sensitivity.
Andrew M. Sklar, DDS, PC
http://www.drsklar.com
Family and General Dentistry
4901 Seminary Road, Suite 120
Alexandria, VA 22311
Tel: 703-931-3141
Fax:703-845-1512
email: office@drsklar.com

Send mail to webmaster with questions or comments about this web site.  Copyright © Andrew M. Sklar, DDS, PC. All rights reserved. Privacy policy   Last modified: Tuesday April 23, 2002 04:05:33 PM -0400
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