Frequently Asked Questions About Teeth Whitening

       

Teeth whitening is a very popular cosmetic procedure.  Most people want to whiten their teeth for a whiter and brighter smile.  There are different options to achieve the smile.  Dental professionals educate their patients about their teeth and assess whether teeth whitening is an appropriate option to achieve the white smile.  Here are some of the frequently asked questions by the patients about teeth whitening:

What are the different options of teeth whitening?

·       The use of over the counter whitening products is one of the most popular options to whiten the teeth.  They are available everywhere and can be purchased at the drug stores and on-line.  The American Dental Association cautions patients to use accepted whitening products under professional supervision for safety.

1.     Whitening toothpastes rely on mild abrasives to remove surface stains

2.     Whitening strips rely on peroxide to bleach teeth.  They are clear strips that adhere onto the teeth (6 upper and 6 lower front teeth) for about 30 minutes a day for one to two weeks.

3.     Brush-On Whitening products are painted directly onto the teeth with a small brush and sometimes are left overnight.

·       Bleaching trays-Dental staff takes impressions of the upper & lower teeth to fabricate bleaching trays.   The whitening gel is loaded into the custom fitted bleaching trays for the upper and lower teeth.  Depending on the varying concentration of the bleaching ingredients, the treatment can be completed in one to two weeks.

·       In-office (chair side) Whitening is performed in the dental office for about 60-90 minutes.  Prior to the procedure, an informed consent discussion form is reviewed and signed.   The discussions include patient’s diagnosis, proposed treatment, risks & benefits, pre-existing condition/shade of teeth, and patients’ expectations prior to treatment.  There are several teeth whitening products available to dentists.  These products contain hydrogen peroxide in concentrations ranging from 10 percent to 40 percent. Whitening results may vary depending on the conditions of patients’ teeth.

Should I whiten my teeth? Am I a candidate for teeth whitening procedure?

Most people will notice some improvement of whitening of their teeth.  If the teeth surface stains caused by coffee and tea and the discoloration are yellow, brown, or orange, you are likely a good candidate for teeth whitening.  If the discoloration is gray and it is caused by the use of tetracycline (antibiotic) and fluoride while teeth are forming, the whitening may not be as effective.  Talk to your dentist before the whitening procedure and discuss your expectations.

·       How long do the teeth whitening effects last?  

Teeth whitening is not permanent.  People who eat foods and drink beverages that cause staining may notice the whiteness start to fade in as little as one month.

·       What kind of foods do people avoid so whitening lasts longer?

Tea, coffee, chocolate, blackberries, soda, wine and others

·       How often does the teeth whitening need to be touched up? 

People who avoid foods and beverages that stain teeth may be able to wait one year or longer before another whitening procedure or touch-up is needed.

·       What can people do to maintain their bright smile?

1.     Brush or rinse immediately after consuming stain-causing foods and beverages

2.     Brush 2x/day and floss daily.  Use a whitening toothpaste 1-2x/week only to remove surface stains and use regular toothpaste the rest of the time.

3.     Regular dental checkup and dental cleaning at minimal every 6 months

What are the risks associated with teeth whitening?

The two side effects that may occur are temporary tooth sensitivity and mild irritation of gum tissues during and after the whitening procedure. Irritation of gum tissues is probably caused by the bleaching gel leaking through the barrier during the bleaching procedure.  Both the tooth sensitivity and gum irritation are temporary and resolves shortly after the end of the procedure. 

If patients continue to have tooth sensitivity after the treatment, your dentist may recommend toothpaste that contains potassium nitrate to relieve the tooth sensitivity.

·       Does teeth whitening damage tooth enamel?

No, studies show that whitening products that contain 10% of carbamide peroxide showed no effect on the hardness or mineral content of a tooth’s enamel surface.

·       Does teeth whitening damage existing dental restorations (fillings/crowns)?

No, clinical studies showed that over 10 years use of whitening products that contain 10% carbamide peroxide cause no damage to existing restoration, such as fillings or crowns.

·       Does teeth whitening cause damage to a tooth’s nerve?

No, there is no evidence to date that whitening products cause harmful effect on the health of a tooth’s nerve.

·       Will my teeth and gums be sensitive after whitening?

Sometimes after whitening procedure, teeth and gums can be sensitive.  Contact your dentist about the tooth and gum sensitivity.

Will insurance cover the teeth whitening procedure?

Most likely not, teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure.  Contact your dental insurance and find out about your benefit coverage.

Patients are so happy and excited when they see their whiter and brighter looking teeth and smile.  It is the greatest reward for a dental professional as me to share that joy and happiness with my patients.  I love to share that joy with you.  If you have any questions about teeth whitening, please contact the office for a free consultation at 626-335-5114 or visit us www.annaleedds.com

Reasons to Consider Cosmetic Dentistry in Glendora

                  

Patients admire the pictures of the beautiful, white teeth displayed on the wall of the treatment rooms.  Patients comment how they would like to have those beautiful teeth.  My respond to them is-this is cosmetic dentistry; you can have it and it will improve your smile and your appearance.  Some patients say they are too old to have cosmetic dentistry.   My response is no one is too old to have nice looking teeth with a beautiful smile.  Some of the reasons to consider cosmetic dentistry are to improve your appearance, to boost your confidence, to improve your oral health and hygiene and others.

Here are some of the reasons to consider cosmetic dentistry in Glendora:

1.     Improve appearance

·       A 65 year old patient complained of crooked, chipped and stained teeth.  She wanted to straighten her teeth but thought she was too old to wear braces.   Glendora Cosmetic Dentist,  Dr. Anna Lee educated the patient that she would be a good candidate for braces and cosmetic dentistry.  Patient was referred to the orthodontist for invisible braces (invisalign) and treatment was completed in 9 months.  Patient returned to Dr. Anna Lee’s dental office and had in-office full mouth teeth whitening and it was completed in 90 minutes.  Patient’s upper front teeth were restored with porcelain veneers and the treatment was completed in 2 weeks.  Patient was very happy with the results of the completed treatment.  The cosmetic dentistry has improved her appearance and she has a beautiful smile.

*note: each patient’s treatment is different and individualized, depending on the number of teeth being restored, the health of the gum tissues, and other factors.  The timeline of treatment completion can be varied.

·       A 90 year old patient said he never liked his yellow and dingy looking teeth.  The incisal edges of his upper and lower anterior (front) teeth were worn.  Patient said he was ready for cosmetic dentistry to improve his appearance and smile.  Glendora Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Anna Lee restored his anterior teeth with ceramic crowns. The treatment was completed in 2 weeks.  Patient was very happy with the color/shade of the ceramic crowns.  Patient said the cosmetic dentistry was the best thing he did for himself.  His friends tell him that he has an attractive smile and he looks at least 15 years younger than his age.  He is a happy man!

*note: each patient’s treatment is different and individualized, depending on the number of teeth being restored, the health of the gum tissues, and other factors.   The timeline of treatment completion can be varied.

2.     

Boost Confidence

·       A 16 year old patient did not like her smile because the diastemas (gaps) between the front teeth.  Patient wanted cosmetic dentistry to close the gaps.   Glendora Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Anna Lee restored and closed the gaps of the front teeth with bonding/composite (white filling).  The treatment was completed in one office visit (about 60 minutes).  Patient was very happy with the result.  Patient smiles with confidence!  

*note: each patient’s treatment is different and individualized, depending on the size of the diastemas, number of teeth involved and other factors.  The treatment is usually completed in one office visit.

·       A patient shared that he had been self-conscious of his smile because of the grayish stain (tetracycline stain) of his teeth.  Glendora Cosmetic dentist, Dr. Anna Lee discussed the different options of cosmetic dentistry.  Patient had upper anterior teeth restored with porcelain veneers.  The treatment was completed in 2 weeks.  The result was fantastic and changed his appearance and smile. He smiles with confidence!  He said he can’t wait to have porcelain veneers for the lower front teeth.

*note: each patient’s treatment is different and individualized; depending on the color (dark stain) of the tooth, the health of the gum tissues and other factors.   The timeline of treatment completion can be varied.

3.     Improve Oral Health and Hygiene

·       Straight teeth are easier to care for and clean

·       Brush & floss the teeth more effectively with straightened teeth, prevent tooth decay, prevent periodontal disease

·       Clean, straight and white teeth are signs of good oral health

4.     Teeth will be stronger & functional

·       Cosmetic dentistry improves the looks of the teeth, but they also become stronger after they are restored.  A tooth that is chipping or breaking can be restored with bonding/composite or a porcelain veneer.  So, the restored tooth looks good and is functional.

If there is something about your teeth or smile you want to change, Dr. Anna Lee and her staff are here to help you.         Glendora Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Anna Lee can assess your teeth and smile and recommend different treatment options.  Call for a free smile assessment at drannalee1@gmail.com or 626-335-5114.                            

How do I take care of porcelain veneers?

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) suggests brushing and flossing just as you would your regular teeth. Proper daily tooth brushing and use of non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste is ideal. Consider limiting coffee and other stain-inducing foods.

Keep in mind that veneers will need to be replaced at some point; no matter how well you take care of them. But proper oral hygiene will help porcelain veneers last as long as possible.

If you're deciding on veneers, consult with your Glendora dentist and be sure you understand every part of the process and cost. A beautiful smile feels great and can increase both your confidence and well-being.

These are some of the things you can do to take care of your porcelain veneers:

·          

       Avoid chewing on hard foods or non-food items

 Biting hard candies, chewing ice

 Chewing on pens, biting nails, opening packages with teeth can cause chipping and cracking of the porcelain veneers.

·      

     Regular dental checkups are important.  Porcelain veneers can collect plaque and tartar buildup the same way natural teeth do, which is why it is important to keep up with your dental hygiene. Brush your teeth twice per day, floss daily, and keep your dental cleanings to at least every 6 months.

·      

     Teeth grinding can cause chipping and damages to porcelain veneers.  Talk to your dentist, as you may need to wear a protective occlusal or bite guard to protect both your natural teeth and teeth with porcelain veneers.