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.

Teeth whitening is a procedure that is designed to lighten the color of your teeth. When performed by a licensed professional and done properly, whitening should not harm your teeth or gums. Significant lightening can be achieved in the majority of cases, however particular RESULTS CANNOT BE GUARANTEED. Teeth whitening, like any other procedure, has some inherent risks and limitations. Although these risks are seldom serious enough to discourage one from having his or her teeth whitened, they should be taken into consideration when deciding whether or not to have the procedure performed.

There are many variables that can affect the outcome of the procedure, such as the type of discoloration that affects your teeth, the degree to which you follow our instructions, and the overall condition of your teeth.

Who are the best candidates for teeth whitening?

Almost anyone is a candidate for whitening. Experience shows that people with dark yellow or yellowish brown teeth sometimes achieve better whitening results than those with gray or bluish-gray teeth. Multi-colored teeth, especially if stained due to tetracycline, do not whiten as well. In addition, teeth with many fillings, cavities, chips, etc., are usually best treated through bonding, porcelain veneers, or porcelain crowns.

What types of teeth whitening are available?

• In-Office Teeth Whitening:

This process can be done in one visit, but may require two or more visits depending on how your teeth respond to the treatment. Each appointment should take between one and one & one-half hours. Due to the strong whitening gel used in this procedure, either a resin or a rubber shield must protect your gums. Once the gums are protected, the gel is applied to the tooth surface. In many cases, a special high intensity light will be used to further activate the gel. In-office whitening can also be done to lighten a tooth that has had a root canal. In this case, the tooth is whitened both from the inside and the outside.

The advantage of in-office whitening is that we do the work for you and you spend less overall time whitening your teeth. The disadvantages include some of the normal inconveniences associated with any dental treatment, such as having to keep your mouth open for the duration of the procedure and the possibility of increased costs as compared to take-home whitening.

• Take-Home Teeth Whitening:

This process can be done anywhere not just at home. It involves wearing a custom-made whitening tray that looks like a thin, transparent night guard. You fill the tray with a mild whitening gel. You then need to wear the gel filled tray for the specified period of time each day (per our instructions). This procedure must be continued over a period of time that generally extends from 2-4 weeks. We will check your whitening progress as necessary during the period you are using the whitening gel.

The advantages of take-home whitening include convenience and possibly less cost. The disadvantages include the inconvenience of wearing the whitening tray and that your results will depend on your consistent use of the tray.

What are your responsibilities?

Keeping Your Appointments: When the in-office whitening is done, there seems to be more lightening when your appointments (if more than one) are spaced one to two weeks apart. If more than two weeks pass between appointments, some momentum is lost and you may lose some of the efficacy of the overall treatment.

Wearing your Whitening Tray: If you choose take-home whitening, it will only be effective if you consistently wear the tray for the prescribed number of hours per day.

Communication: If you experience severe discomfort or any other problems, contact us immediately.

Potential Problems

Tooth Sensitivity: During the first 24 hours following whitening many patients experience sensitivity. This sensitivity is usually mild unless your teeth are normally sensitive. With in-office whitening, this sensitivity will usually subside within 1-2 days. With take-home whitening, it may be necessary to reduce the number of hours you wear the tray or stop using it for a short time to resolve the sensitivity.

However, if your teeth are normally sensitive, whitening may make your teeth much more sensitive for an extended period of time. Under these circumstances, you may choose to delay whitening until we are able to complete desensitization procedures. If your teeth are sensitive after whitening, a mild analgesic such as Tylenol or Advil will usually be effective to make you more comfortable until your teeth return to normal.

Gum Irritation: Whitening may cause temporary inflammation of your gums. With in-office whitening, this can be the result of very small amount of gel leaking under the gum protection. A burning sensation in your gums may also occur. This is a minor problem and will subside within a few days.

With take-home whitening, irritation can result from using the whitening tray too many hours when you first start whitening or using the tray too many hours in a row without a break. It may be necessary for you to reduce the number of hours you are wearing the tray or stop using it for a short time to resolve these gum problems. The tray may also overlap your gums, allowing the gel to contact your gums for an extended period. This problem can be resolved by returning to this office so that we can trim the tray to a position slightly short of your gums.

Sore Throat: Most take-home whitening gel is very thick and will not run down your throat if you overload the tray with gel. However, if your gel is lower in viscosity, the excess may go down your throat and cause soreness. This soreness will subside in several days. In the event that you feel gel in your mouth or throat, spit out the excess gel instead of swallowing it.

Leaking Fillings or Cavities: Most whitening is indicated for the outside of the teeth (unless you already had a root canal). However, if you have any fillings that are leaking and the gel gets into the inside of the teeth, damage to the nerves of the tooth could result. In this case, the fillings need to be redone prior to the whitening. In addition, open cavities can also allow gel to reach the nerves of the teeth. All cavities should also be filled before whitening.
Cervical Abrasion/Erosion: These conditions affect the roots of the teeth when gums recede. They are the grooves, notches or depressions where the teeth meet the gums that generally look darker than the rest of the teeth. They look darker because there is no enamel in these areas. Even if these areas are not sensitive, the whitening gel can potentially penetrate the teeth and damage the nerves. These areas should not be whitened and should be filled after the whitening is complete.

Root Resorption: This is a condition where the root of a tooth starts to dissolve either from the inside or outside. Although the cause of resorption has not been determined, studies have shown that its incidence is higher in teeth that have had a root canal and are then whitened.

Effects on Fillings: Even though open cavities or badly leaking fillings should be refilled prior to whitening, take-home whitening can cause tooth-colored fillings to become softer and may make them more susceptible to staining. Therefore, you should be prepared to have any fillings in your front teeth replaced after whitening. In addition, since whitening will normally lighten teeth, but not fillings, you may need to have your fillings replaced, so that they will match your newly whitened teeth.

Completion of Treatment

Whitening Level: There is no reliable way to predict how light your teeth will whiten. With in-office whitening, one to two sessions are usually necessary to significantly whiten your teeth. With take-home whitening, two to four weeks of wearing the tray daily for the prescribed number of hours will give you much lighter teeth. We do not recommend home whitening longer than four weeks, unless you have severe tetracycline staining.

Special Consideration: The Zoom! In-Office Whitening System uses a light source that emits ultraviolet light in the UVA range. Although the output is less than half of the typical UVA exposure of commonly used facial and full body tanning units, the procedure incorporates significant protective and precautionary measures. Our office is required to follow comprehensive directions for use supplied by the light manufacturer. None the less individuals undergoing PUVA therapy (Psoralen & UV Radiation) or other photo-chemotherapy, as well as those with melanoma should consult their physician prior to treatment. Patients taking any light sensitive drugs should also consult with their physician regarding possible photoreaction.

Relapse: Once whitening is complete, there may be a gradual relapse back to the original shade. To prevent this relapse, you may choose to wear your take-home whitening tray periodically.