1. Is it a good idea to have your teeth cleaned before getting them whitened?

Answer: Its always a good idea to get your teeth cleaned before getting any dental work performed. You wouldn’t want any bacteria or germs from your mouth to get into any open scratches or scrapes – “Cleanliness is Godliness” – and should proceed a tooth-whitening treatment!

2. If I have cavities… should they be filled before I have my teeth whitened?

Answer: Of course your cavities should be filled before the teeth whitening process starts. Teeth whitening is really teeth bleaching or applying a chemical solution to your teeth and surrounding gums. Again, you don’t want this solution seeping into any bacteria filled teeth or gum openings.

3. Will tooth colored fillings… crowns, bridges and veneers lighten when my teeth are bleached?

Answer: No…tooth colored fillings… crowns… bridges… and veneers… will not lighten when your teeth are bleached or whitened. Bleaching or whitening solutions active ingredient is carbamide peroxide This solution is ph balanced to clean live enamel (your teeth), and not artificial devices or materials like crowns, fillings, bridges or veneers.

4. Will a good whitening toothpaste be enough to remove normal coffee, tea, and tobacco stains from my teeth… and will any of these toothpastes also bleach my teeth?

Answer: Whitening toothpastes can help remove surface stains from your teeth with their mild abrasives. Some whitening toothpastes also have special chemicals or polishing agents that provide additional stain removal. But whitening toothpastes don’t bleach teeth… nor do they lighten or change the color of your teeth.

5. Will teeth whitening kits from the dentist actually produce faster and better results than whitening kits purchased over the counter?

Answer: Yes… as a general rule, products from the dentist are safer and faster. Dr. Swift, Jr., DMD, professor, Univ. Of N. Carolina says… “products from the dentist contain higher percentages of peroxide and produce faster and more dramatic whitening results” .

6. Will tooth whitening treatments produce the same results on different types of discolored teeth. In other words… will ‘gray tinted teeth’ bleach or whiten… with the same results as… ‘yellow stained teeth’?

Answer: No… for the most part. Until recently, it was generally accepted ‘yellow stain teeth’ (caused by smoking, tobacco, red wine, etc.) bleach faster… easier… and better than ‘gray stained teeth’ (caused by the antibiotic tetracyline, or excess fluoride.

However, Dr. Swift goes on to say… “now, dental beaches can make some headway against tetracycline staining (gray tinted teeth)”. He goes on to say… “however, it requires time and patience – daily use for 6 to 9 months, this can be expensive”.

7. Will I suffer from tooth sensitivity and gum irritation after receiving teeth or tooth-whitening treatments?

Answer: Some people experience increased tooth and gum sensitivity to cold and/or hot foods during the whitening or bleaching process. Others report temporary discomfort… such as gum or tooth sensitivity. These symptoms always disappear within 1-3 days after interruption or completion of the treatment.

8. Should my husband who has a gum disease get his teeth whitened?

Answer: It depends on what type of gum disease he has. If he has a problem with receding gums (dentist call it ‘gengival atrophy’), bleaching agents are likely to make his teeth and gums quite sensitive… at least for a few days. Of course your dentist should explain all this to you and him… and develop an individualized treatment plan for him.

There you have it… answers to your most pressing or important questions related to teeth whitening or tooth bleaching processes.

• The procedure is simple with no side effects and you can achieve up to 6-8 shades lighter.

Why would any one want to do the whitening in the practice and not at home?

• The patient may not apply the gel evenly and therefore the results can come out blotchy.

• The patient may end up burning his gums because of lack of experience.

• Tooth whitening in the practice is quicker (1 hour treatment) as apposed to home whitening (20 minutes each time -day and night).

• Sometimes people prefer the experienced dentist to do the treatment.

• In our practice you enjoy the spa like atmosphere. You can watch a movie of your choice or listen to the radio or get a massage on the special shiatsu chair. This makes the treatment a pleasurable experience.

• At all times the procedure is supervised by experienced, trained professionals.

Can we do the whitening at home?

• Yes, if you prefer to do it yourself, we take an impression of your mouth and make customized trays for our patients. The trays fit better so the results are more even / less blotchy and the tray is more comfortable to fit in your mouth.

What is the difference between Zoom and Bright Smile.

• Zoom is more up-to-date and has less side-effects. Though both companies claim the same-up to 7 to 8 shades whiter, Zoom can achieve this in less time and the results are longer lasting.
• We have used most brands in our practice and currently are finding best results and value for patients using Zoom.

What percentage of whitening do you use?

25% Hydrogen Peroxide. The Zoom 2 has better chemistry and less sensitivity.

Zoom! Teeth Whitening Facts

• • Immediate results in about an hour
• An average of eight shades whiter
• Affordably priced
• Relax and watch TV, listen to the radio, or sleep while you whiten in the Dentist chair
• Simple process consisting of using whitening gel on the teeth, activated by a small, highly-specialized lamp
• Futuristic lamp is not a laser and transmits almost no heat, causing little or no sensitivity
• Zoom! lamp is the only lamp on the market created by a dentist, solely for tooth whitening purposes
• Available exclusively through the care of your Dentist

The Zoom!™ In-Office Whitening System is a revolutionary tooth whitening procedure offered at our office near Phoenix, Arizona. It’s safe, effective and fast – very fast. In just over an hour, your teeth will be dramatically whiter. Zoom™ teeth whitening is ideal for anyone looking for immediate results.

• If you are not entirely happy with the color of your teeth, your dentist might recommend tooth whitening. Tooth whitening is actually a bleaching process that lightens discolorations of the enamel and dentin.

• The tooth-whitening process is ideal for patients who have healthy, unrestored teeth. But just as some people have lighter teeth than others do, some people’s teeth will respond to the bleaching process to a greater degree.

• There are many causes of tooth discoloration. Tooth color is mostly an inherited trait. But in addition to hereditary factors, tooth color also depends upon the condition of the teeth, general dental health, and lifestyle considerations.

• The causes of tooth discoloration can be divided into two categories: Internal and External. External causes include the consumption of staining substances such as coffee, tea, colas, and any tobacco products.

• Internal causes include tetracycline discoloration, flourosis, disease, injury, previous dental work, and the aging process. It has been known for some time that the administration of the powerful antibiotic tetracycline to children can result in the permanent discoloration of their teeth.

• Internal causes include tetracycline discoloration, flourosis, disease, injury, previous dental work, and the aging process. It has been known for some time that the administration of the powerful antibiotic tetracycline to children can result in the permanent discoloration of their teeth.

• Similarly, ingesting excessive amounts of fluoride during the developmental stage of the teeth can cause permanent discoloration, as illustrated by the photo to the left.

• Discoloration may also occur as part of the normal aging process. Older teeth have been around longer, and have been exposed to a wider variety of staining substances for a longer period of time. These stains can accumulate in the small cracks and chips that commonly develop with age. Bleaching can be extremely effective at reducing these types of stains.

• The Process – Your dentist will determine if you are a viable candidate for the bleaching process during a thorough oral examination. Your dentist will take an impression of your mouth. This impression is used to cast a model of your teeth.

• After the model is prepared, a bleaching tray will be formed over it. This bleaching tray will accommodate the bleaching gel, and precisely fit around your teeth.

• Once at home – on a daily basis – you will inject a small amount of the bleaching gel into the tray. You then place the tray over your teeth, and wear it for a few hours. You can wear the tray anywhere, but most people choose to wear it while they are sleeping.

• Results can usually be seen after the first night, but maximum whiteness is usually achieved when the process is continued for 10 to 14 nights. The tooth whitening process will always leave the teeth whiter than they were. Some patients, however, may need periodic re-bleaching for one or two nights every four to twelve months.

• Side Effects – Some people experience increased tooth sensitivity to cold during the treatment. Others have reported temporary discomfort such as gum or tooth sensitivity. These symptoms always disappear within 1 to 3 days after the treatment is interrupted or completed.