How Can You Brighten Your Smile?

Your wedding is coming up and you want your smile to be its brightest. Or maybe you have an important speaking engagement. Whatever the reason, tooth whitening isn't just for the movie stars, and it isn't just for one day. Many people have had their teeth bleached, and probably millions more are thinking about it. The desire for a brighter smile with whiter teeth is very strong, and tooth whitening safely lightens the color of the teeth, lasting for up to five years. The most effective and safest method of tooth whitening is dentist-supervised.

Is whitening for you?

Generally, whitening is successful in at least 90 percent of patients, though it may not be an option for everyone. Consider tooth whitening 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 dentist may discourage whitening.

What's involved?

First, the dentist will determine whether you are a candidate for tooth whitening and what type of whitening system would provide the best results.

If you're in a hurry for whiter teeth, you may decide to have your teeth lightened immediately. Your dentist will use either an in-office whitening system or laser whitening while you sit in the dental chair. However, most patients choose dentist-supervised at-home whitening, which is more economical and provides the superior results.

At the next appointment if you don't choose laser whitening, the dentist or hygienist will make impressions of your teeth to fabricate a mouthguard appliance for you. The mouthguard is custom made for your mouth and is lightweight so that it can be worn comfortably. The mouthguard is so thin that you should even be able to talk and work while wearing your mouthguard. Along with the mouthguard, you'll receive the whitening materials. You'll be given instructions on how to wear the mouthguard.

Whitening systems recommend whitening your teeth from two hours a day. Generally this type of system requires two to three weeks to complete, and works best on patients with sensitive teeth where laser whitening is often a problem. Previously wearing the whitening trays at night was the norm however this is no longer necessary.

How long does it last?

Tooth whitening produces a permanent lightening of your teeth. The results should keep you happy for many years but is ultimately dependant on your personal habits such as smoking and drinking coffee, tea, red wine and the like. It is possible down the track for you to choose to have a whitening touch up. This procedure will not be as costly because you can probably still use the same mouthguard. The retreatment time also is much shorter than the original treatment time.

How does it work?

The active ingredient in most of the whitening agents is 10 percent carbamide peroxide (CH4N2O2), also known as urea peroxide; when water contacts this white crystal, the release of hydrogen peroxide lightens the teeth.

Is it safe? Any side effects?

Several studies, during the past five years, have proven whitening to be safe and effective. The American Dental Association has granted its seal of approval to some tooth whitening products. Some patients may experience slight gum irritation or tooth sensitivity, which will resolve when the treatment ends.

What are realistic expectations?

No one can really predict how much lighter your teeth will become. Every case is different. Typically, there is at least a two-shade improvement as seen on a dentist's shade guide. The success rate depends upon the type of stain involved and your compliance. Whitening can only provide a shift in color from gray to a lighter shade of gray, for example. Whitening does not lighten artificial materials such as resins, silicates, or porcelains.

Want Britney's Smile....................?               Visit the Dentist, Not the Shopping Mall...............!

Although teeth whitening may be one of the safest, non-invasive and cost-efficient ways for teens to immediately boost their appearance, parents should learn about the best whitening options for their adolescent, reports the Academy of General Dentistry, an organization of general dentists dedicated to continuing education.

Teeth whitening is a $600 million industry that is growing 15 to 20 percent a year, which is partly fueled by image-conscious teens heading to the mall to pick up instant do-it-yourself teeth whitening kits, many of which are heavily marketed and the sale of which are not dentist supervised.

"We want to tell teens to visit their dentist instead of the mall for a healthy, white smile," says Manuel Cordero, DDS, MAGD, spokesperson for the Academy, who has seen a steady increase in his teen patients' requests for this procedure.

Proper whitening depends upon the use of a custom-made whitening tray, which only a dentist can properly fit. Some Internet companies sell the materials that allow consumers to make their own whitening tray. But only dentists can assure the proper use of these materials. Without supervision and expertise, these materials can cause gagging or damage to existing dental work. As with any dental procedure, whitening should always be done under the supervision of a dentist. Teeth are an integral part of the body and no two teeth whitening cases are alike.

The Academy offers teens and their parents additional tips on tooth whitening:

• According to Dr. Cordero, teens should wait for whitening procedures until at least the age of 14. At this time, the tooth's pulp is fully formed, which means the teen will experience less sensitivity.
• Drink soda and coffee through a straw to prevent discoloration of the upper, front teeth.
• Wearing braces? Brush and clean teeth meticulously because food and their bi-products can discolor as well as create cavities.
• With the proper dental evaluation some whitening can be performed prior to a definitive cosmetic treatment.

Academy Issues Warning Regarding Teeth Whitening Products

During its recent annual meeting, delegates of the Academy of General Dentistry passed a resolution that supported dentist-supervised teeth whitening. This means that the Academy recommends that any outlets that oversee fabrication of whitening trays by dental laboratories requires a proper prescription by a dentist licensed in the state or province where the individual is being treated.

Patients More Interested In Whiter Teeth Than a Healthier Smile

Some patients come to the dental office more interested in improving the color and shape of their teeth than in getting their cavities filled, reports the Academy of General Dentistry. Whitening, composite resins, porcelain veneers, bonding and other cosmetic dental procedures are driving the $15-billion-a-year-and-growing cosmetic dentistry industry.

"Whitening, for example, gives patients an immediate change, and that's what they want--something fast," says Ronald Feinman, DMD, spokesdentist of the Academy of General Dentistry. "Whitening is a noticeable improvement. But most patients realize that they also need to have the cavities treated as well."

"And it's not just for the 20-something set," says Dr. Feinman. "The over-50-crowd, or the Baby Boomers, with its extra disposable income comprises a major segment of this market."

They may have finally come to an age when they can fulfill their dream of having an ideal smile, and they don't mind spending their money on elective cosmetic dental procedures.

A dentist would define an ideal smile as one that has a repetition of tooth shape, color, line and texture where the size, shape and position of teeth are in harmony and in relative symmetry to one another. If a patient has missing teeth, excessive gingiva, uneven teeth or dark teeth, the patient may feel self-conscious about the smile and ask the dentist to do something about it.

"The newer procedures that we have in cosmetic dentistry allow us to create a new smile conservatively, without having to destroy good dentition," says Dr. Feinman. "With direct bonding, we can change the position and shape of the tooth, and alter the length, texture and color without dramatic destruction of the existing tooth."

A recent survey of a number of dentists has shown that 92 percent of general dentists reported their patients had an increased awareness of cosmetic dentistry procedures. The survey also revealed that 93 percent of dentists offer whitening; 90 percent offer veneers; and 86 percent offer tooth-colored fillings. More than three-fourths of the surveyed dental offices stated that they had seen a marked increase in cosmetic dentistry procedures.

About 5 percent of dental offices are even offering patients a chance to see what the results will look like before the dental procedure is performed. A computer imaging system manipulates portions of a digital image of the patient's face to simulate the results of the proposed cosmetic treatment. The patient can see the results of a chipped tooth that is repaired, a space between teeth that is closed, a malformed tooth that is reshaped, and discolored teeth that are lightened.

"However, these are just simulations. But with a dentist's expertise and diagnosis, the patient is able to see what can be accomplished," said Dr. Feinman. "It's important to have realistic expectations."

Want a Super-powered Smile? See Your Dentist

There's no doubt that a bright, white smile is an important part of a healthy, attractive, youthful look. And the best way to boost a smile into overdrive is to have your teeth bleached by your dentist. People who quake at the thought of seeing their dentist are embracing teeth whitening as they did fitness centers, personal trainers and Yoga in the 1980s and 90s, and they've got the smiles to prove it.

Options abound for consumers in search of brighter, whiter smiles, from dentist-supervised procedures, to whitening spas and over-the-counter whitening kits, which are available from drug stores and over the Internet. Teeth whitening is a $600 million industry that is growing 15 to 20 percent a year. But consumers should exercise caution, warns an article in the March 2001 AGD Impact, the newsmagazine of the Academy of General Dentistry.

Of particular concern to dentists are companies that sell professional-strength whitening materials, which are intended for use only under a dentist's supervision, directly to the public via the Internet, late night infomercials and shopping mall kiosks. "Consumers have no way of knowing what they are getting when they buy whitening products from these sources," says Academy spokesperson Myron J. Bromberg, DDS.

While whitening is safe, it requires a dentist's supervision to ensure proper results. Not only may an over-the-counter product not work well enough, says Dr. Bromberg, but it might work too well. "There is a wide range in results when using these products without supervision," he says. "If a whitening agent is too strong, or used for too long, teeth can wind up with an unnatural, frosty look."

Proper whitening depends upon the use of a custom-made whitening tray, which only a dentist can properly fit. Some Internet companies sell the materials to make your own whitening tray. But only dentists should use these materials. Without supervision and expertise, these materials can cause gagging or damage to existing dental work. "As with any dental procedure, whitening should always be done under the supervision of a dentist," says Dr. Bromberg.

Consumers' Tooth Whitening Questions Rang In As the Top Dental Concern

Consumers' tooth whitening questions rang in as the top dental concern according to results from the Academy of General Dentistry's national toll-free hotline. More than 1,800 consumers called the SmileLine on July 20 to seek cosmetic and general dental advice from dentists attending the Academy's 48th annual meeting in Toronto.

Studies reveal more people are keeping their teeth longer, and as people age, their teeth age, too. Years of exposing teeth to coffee, tea, colas, red wine and smoking adds up and dulls the tooth enamel.

"More people with stained teeth are aware that they might benefit from whitening, which is a safe, effective means to brighten stained, discolored or dull teeth," says David Tecosky, DMD, FAGD, 2000 SmileLine coordinator. "It's one of the easiest things to do to improve your appearance."

Tooth whitening can be done at home. The dentist provides a special custom-fitted whitening tray and tooth-whitening gel. During the first visit, a plastic shell is molded to the teeth. The dentist will fill the mold with the gel, which will be worn in the mold for 30 minutes to a few hours. The patient then wears that gel and mold for a few hours a day for approximately one to two weeks.

The procedure takes place under dental supervision and the dentist ensures that the process proceeds safely. The dentist will also monitor for any problems or tooth or gum sensitivity.

"Talk to your general dentist about options available if you are interested in whitening your teeth," says Dr. Tecosky.