There are a number of techniques available today that
make it possible for everyone to
have the gleaming smile they've
always wanted.
Tooth whiteners may be applied
in one of three ways: The most
popular method, and the one
that has been around the
longest, is the use of whitening
trays custom made by the dentist to fit the teeth exactly. The
patient takes the trays home
and after applying a whitening
gel, wears them while sleeping
for 3 days to 2 weeks, until teeth
have reached desired whiteness
(there is a limit to how white
teeth will get). The whitening
gel uses a peroxide derivative
and comes in flavors such as
mint, melon, or bubble gum.
An alternative to take home systems is to undergo teeth whitening in the dentist's office with a
system like "Britesmile." This
method takes only one hour.
Whitening strips available over
the counter are used in the
same way but are not custom
fit, so the active ingredient can
leak out, irritate gums, and
cause sensitivity. Some over
the counter kits have mouth
pieces that fit over the teeth like
a sports mouth guard. With this
method, the whitening agent
tends not to reach between the
teeth, resulting in a striped
effect where teeth have white
centers and dark edges.
Once teeth are whitened, the
effect typically lasts 2-6 years. The process does not damage
the teeth, and there is no limit
to the number of times teeth
can be whitened. The gel is not
toxic; in fact, when it touches
saliva, it turns to water. While
mild sensitivity may occur during whitening, it usually disappears within three days.
Whitening can pose a problem
where there are preexisting
crowns, because the process
only whitens natural teeth, not
man made material.
A word of advice about toothpaste the regular types are
best. "Whitening" toothpastes
do not whiten teeth, and they
can cause sensitivity, as do tartar control pastes and those
with peroxide. They all have
chemicals in them that irritate
the teeth.
Bonding is a process whereby a
substance sticks to teeth. There
are at least twenty different
shades of bonding that can be
used as filling material that
matches the tooth. The bonding
material starts out as a soft
putty substance that is hand
sculpted to look like a tooth. It
can be as small as a dot or large
enough to cover an entire tooth.
Bonding is where the dentist's
artistic talents come into play.
In the 70s, bonding materials
were softer and more porous
than those used today, so they
generally did not last as long as
silver fillings and were prone to
discoloration. Today, the bonding materials are much stronger
and won't change color for years.
In fact, bonding can reinforce a
tooth and make it stronger.
The strength of bonding ensures
that porcelain veneers remain
firmly attached to teeth. In the
40s and 50s, people used to have
crowns put on all of their teeth,
which meant drilling all around
each tooth. Now, a porcelain
facing made by the lab can be
put on the front of the tooth,
and it stays there because it
adheres so well to the bonding.
The next step up from porce
lain facings is crowns. Traditional full crowns are really
only needed when there is
extensive decay. Otherwise,
with modern dentistry, there
isn't a need to cut down as
much tooth any more.
With cosmetic dentistry, mut
improvement is possible. In
only two appointments, an
entire cosmetic smile "lift"
might just transform your
mouth into that Julia Robert
smile you've always wanted! |
