Whiter, Brighter Teeth Make Confident Smiles
02/14/2008
According to the Consumer Guide to Cosmetic Dentistry, teeth whitening is the most commonly requested cosmetic dentistry procedure. An estimated ten million Americans spend almost $2 billion on tooth whitening products and services a year.
How does it work? Tooth whitening is designed to enhance your appearance by reducing tooth discoloration and staining to elicit a brighter, whiter, more confident smile.
There are many reasons you teeth may have lost their sparkle: coffee, red wine and tobacco can cause stains and discoloration of your teeth. Medication and antibiotics are another contributing factor. Root canals and trauma to the teeth are yet another cause. Most often teeth simply darken with age and cosmetic dentists are able to reverse this aging process simply and inexpensively.
So what are your options? Tooth bleaching is successful in over 90 percent of patients, though it may not be an option for everyone. Consider tooth bleaching if your teeth are darkened from age, coffee, tea or smoking. Teeth darkened with the color of yellow, brown or orange respond better to lightening. Other types of gray stains caused by fluorosis, smoking or tetracycline are lightened, but results are not as dramatic. If you have very sensitive teeth, periodontal disease, or teeth with worn enamel, your cosmetic dentist may discourage bleaching.
Home whitening: You can buy an over the counter product and do it yourself at home. Some are strips. Some are paint-on gels. There are bleaching toothpastes, and there are some OTC systems that claim to provide a bleaching tray like dentists.
Don't be fooled. Although these products may provide some whitening if used over a LONG time, the concentration of tooth bleaching gel does not compare to the product provided by a dentist and these bleaching products are a quick, temporary fix at best.. A properly fitting tray is a must for achieving whiter teeth AND to avoid burning your gums.
Professional whitening: One of the cosmetic methods I recommend is the ZOOM! method as seen on "Extreme Makeover" and "The Swan". This method takes from 60 to 90 minutes in our office; we also provide bleaching trays to use for touch up. Zoom! has been clinically proven to be safe and effective and many dentists consider whitening the safest cosmetic dental procedure available.
We have recently implemented a variation of home and office bleaching called “Deep Bleaching”tm. This method employs a precise fitting tray that is obtained with the same precision that a dentist uses to capture and impression for a crown.
Because of this exact fitting tray and the use of concentrated desensitizing gels, we are able to employ the strongest bleaching gel that is manufactured with nearly zero sensitivity. “Deep Bleaching" achieves the whitest results ever seen; and can even successfully treat tetracycline stained teeth.
Author Bio:
Dr. Steven Goldy, DDS is a cosmetic dentist practicing in Beverly Hills. His approach to cosmetic dentistry is founded in his belief that everyone deserves to have the best possible oral health and a confident smile. You can reach Dr. Goldy at 310 550 1511. His office is located at 416 N. Bedford Center in Beverly Hills, California. Learn more at http://www.stevengoldydds.com
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