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November 26, 2007

New teeth whitening technique delivers spectacular results

New teeth whitening technique delivers spectacular results

I admit it. Until recently, dental bleaching results have been a bit unpredictable and, at times, a bit underwhelming. We have always been able to make nice improvement, but often not as much as we would like. That is officially no longer the case!

“Deep Bleaching,� a trademarked protocol, was developed by Dr. Rod Kurthy, a dentist in California. I always used to tell patients that the only way to get teeth “Hollywood White� was with 6,8,12, or even more bonded porcelain veneers. These are great, but fairly expensive. I no longer say that, because for the cost less than 2 really white veneers you can have 28 really white teeth with Deep Bleaching!

So why is Deep Bleaching so much more effective than other techniques? First let’s talk about bleaching in general. Incidentally, all bleaching techniques will usually cause temporary sensitivity that goes away.

Whitening toothpastes. These products really are not effective enough even to discuss. I have never had anyone tell me they could see any difference from whitening toothpastes.. The way they “work� is with abrasives that help get a little more stain off the teeth, but that’s all.

Other over-the-counter products. These rinses, paint-ons, strips, etc. will often make enough difference to notice, but the improvements are very modest.

In dental office bleaching. Products like Zoom, Brite Smile, and others are used in the dental office in an appointment of an hour or so. These techniques work very fast, but somewhat unpredictably. Some people will see very nice improvement in color, and some will see less.

Custom tray bleaching. Models are made of the teeth and thin custom made trays are made for applying bleaching materials over a period of 1 to 2 weeks. With these trays, most of the bleaching material has washed away after an hour, so these are usually used for an hour a day. Most people will see very nice improvement, but still not spectacular.

Deep Bleaching. Deep bleaching uses a combination of several techniques to enhance the bleaching process with a minimum of sensitivity.

First, extremely precise Deep Bleaching trays are made. These are much more precise than normal trays, and actually produce a positive seal around all the teeth, greatly enhancing their effectiveness.

Second, these trays are used with a potent bleaching material in an in office session. A slight improvement will be noted, but more importantly, the pores in the enamel will be slightly opened to enhance the next step.

Third, the trays are used with a gentle bleaching material overnight for two weeks. These trays seal so well, the bleaching continues all night. At the end of the two weeks the color change is major.

Finally, a second in- office session is accomplished. And the result — WOW! Did I say Wow? WOW! If you‚ve always wished you had white teeth, ask me to smile and look at mine!

November 23, 2007

Teeth Bleeching Accidents

Article via Google News, brought to you by Minneapolis Teeth Whitening.

A woman’s teeth looked as though they had been dipped in acid after she had whitening treatment aboard a cruise ship, a dentist said yesterday.

Carla Regan, 47, was on a two-week cruise in the Eastern Mediterranean with her husband and two children when she decided to treat herself to the £130 treatment. But she was left with yellowing, easily stained and dry teeth after a chemical typically used for disinfecting swimming pools stripped away the top layer of tooth enamel on her front eight teeth. The teeth whitening treatment, using chlorine dioxide, was of a kind increasingly being offered to consumers wishing to brighten up their smile, despite evidence that it causes harm. Mrs Regan is now facing a £5,000 bill to restore her mouth’s appearance.

The General Dental Council has determined that only a registered dentist can carry out teeth whitening, yet the cruise ship treatment was provided by beauticians in an onboard spa, with no dentist even to supervise, she said.

Mrs Regan said yesterday: “The beauty salon on the ship was offering teeth whitening and I thought to myself, why not? It seemed like an appropriately indulgent thing to do on holiday – they promoted it as nontoxic and safe. However, a week later I noticed my teeth were starting to look stained, and with time they only got darker. I also constantly had a ‘dry mouth’ feeling, so I decided to see a dentist to tell me what could be wrong.�

Mrs Regan declined to name the cruise operator involved as she has lodged a formal complaint against the company.

“I had never considered whitening procedures before, and on the ship I had no chance to do any research into the treatment,� she said. “I thought it would be perfectly safe, but in the end it permanently damaged my teeth.�

James Goolnik, a dentist and vice-president of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, said he was shocked at the surface harm on Mrs Regan’s teeth. “Her teeth look like they had been dipped in acid,� he said. “It may not be immediately visible to the untrained eye, but her front teeth clearly have no surface shine when compared with the rest of her teeth. The damage is permanent and we are currently assessing whether repair will involve more complex cosmetic procedures, such as bonding or porcelain veneers.� Despite a lack of clinical evidence or official trials that justify the use of chlorine dioxide on teeth, the chemical is being offered as an alternative to hydrogen peroxide treatments by a growing network of franchises around the country.

Its use has caused problems in other patients, including 23-year-old Stephanie Ramezan, whose teeth were left darkened after a session at a City spa, as The Times reported in February.

Dr Goolnik said: “The rise in these problem cases illustrates why dental care, even purely cosmetic procedures, should only be provided by dentists with the proper training.�

November 17, 2007

Whiten Teeth While you Tan

Two new products have emerged on the market as of May 2005: Twilight Teeth and Hollywood Whites. Both products claim that you can whiten your teeth during your tanning session, no tests have been done by our Minneapolis Teeth Whitening Professionals.

The Ultra violet heat from the lamps in the bed of the tanning salons activates the Carbamide Peroxide gel, which in turn releases oxygen into the teeth that penetrates the enamel and lifts all types of stains from the teeth's enamel.

The tooth whitening process is achieved through regular tanning sessions, and most people begin to see results within a few sessions. Both products are designed to be used for 5 sessions, ideally every other day. They can, however, be used every time you tan, as long as there is no irritation and you can stand the tanning. It is important to note that these products can be used up to once a day. The systems are also designed to be used between 8 and 30 minutes. If you are tanning in the 8 to 12 minute range, it would be assumed you are using a high-pressure bed. Otherwise, regular beds (low pressure) will be just as effective but may take up to 25 minutes.

According to Twilight Teeth, a small percentage of users experience increased sensitivity to cold or minor gum irritation. These symptoms will subside if the user stops the process for a few days.

Women in their 40s Whitening Teeth

In days gone by, the end of a relationship was an excuse for a new haircut or pair of shoes.

Today, it appears, women may be splashing out on a new smile instead.

Research shows that cosmetic dentistry - from teeth whitening to veneers - is most popular among women in their late 40s and early 50s.

Dentists believe women of a certain age may see a perfect smile as the route to romance.

Possibly newly divorced, and with more cash then when they were last on the singles scene, they spend hundreds or even thousands on appearance enhancing dental work.

The study, carried out by Mintel for the Minneapolis Cosmetic Dentistry, found that 27 per cent of people in the 45 to 54 age bracket have had cosmetic dentistry against just 20 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds.

It also revealed that Britons seeking a new smile would prefer the more natural look of celebrities such as Kylie Minogue and George Clooney to the dazzling white "Hollywood" grins of the likes of Simon Cowell.

The academy's Dr James Goolnick said: "George Clooney has very straight, even teeth, and an open smile. Kylie has a quirky adolescent-like look.

"Her two front teeth are more prominent and that is more youthful.

"People want a nice healthy smile that looks natural. They don't want people to say, 'Where did you get that done?'"

The survey of more than 2,000 Britons also found that almost a fifth are so concerned about the state of their teeth that they refuse to smile when photographed.

November 16, 2007

The Variety of Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is used to provide a person with whiter brighter teeth. Stains from tobacco, food, beverage are reasons to use teeth whitening products. Other reasons for the use of teeth whitening systems are age, genetic factors, and some drugs that cause discoloration of teeth.

Teeth whitening falls into two categories: extrinsic – removal of surface discoloration and intrinsic – changing the color of the tooth (sometimes referred to as bleaching).

Most teeth whitening, whether done in the dental chair or at home, require mouth trays to hold the teeth whitening gel. The number of hours at one time that the teeth whitening tray is in the mouth is dependent on whether it is done at home or as teeth whitening in the dental office. Another teeth whitening method done in the dental office uses a light source to activate the chemical teeth whitening gel. This is a faster method for teeth whitening, however, it can cause sensitivity to your teeth. Teeth whitening is not permanent, lasting about one to two years.

Another method for teeth whitening uses the Dental Air Force® system with hydrogen peroxide. This teeth whitening method is a gradual safer process and provides both extrinsic teeth whitening and intrinsic teeth whitening. Because the Dental Air Force® system also replaces tooth brushing and flossing, the teeth whitening aspect is continuously maintained on a daily basis without cumbersome trays or visits to the dental office.

November 15, 2007

A Brighter White Smile

How'd you like to have a nice white smile? I was getting some complex dental work done recently and one of the dental hygienists, who's a friend of mine, stopped by to chat. She mentioned to me that their clinic was offering teeth whitening. I'd never heard of it. I asked her to tell me more about it.

As it turns out, there are products available through your dentist's office that can significantly whiten teeth and brighten a smile. Whitening procedures work best on teeth that are yellow. If the teeth have a brown discoloration, the whitening works moderately well. Teeth that are blue-grey tend not to be affected significantly by whitening procedures.

The option that is most widely available (and that is available here on Saipan) is the home whitening kit. The kit consists of a whitening gel and a custom-made set of mouth-guards (or “trays�) to fit over your teeth. You place the gel in the mouth-guards and place them in your mouth for several hours a day. Over the course of one to two weeks, you can see significant results. The gel can make the teeth temporarily sensitive, so some people place the gel for two or four hours a day, whereas other people wear the mouth-guards while sleeping at night.

In order to get ready, you need to go to the dentist to have an impression taken of your teeth, so the mouth-guards can be prepared for your teeth. It usually takes a few days to make them, at which time you can pick up the kit and start whitening.

One of the dentists that I was seeing mentioned to me that he had recently had the whitening procedure, and by golly, his teeth were pearly white.

You don't have to whiten all your teeth (and certainly not the backs of your teeth), but only those teeth that are a visible part of your smile. If you have any artificial teeth - crowns, bridges, etc. - keep in mind that these teeth will not be whitened. If you wish, after the whitening procedure, you may have the artificial teeth re-done to match the color your new white teeth.

Discoloration of teeth takes place over years, so after a whitening procedure, you can expect that your smile will remain white for years to come.

The cost surprised me, because I expected it to be at least $500. All the dental clinics in Saipan offer the home whitening kits, and the prices range from $200-$395. Currently, there are two clinics that are offering whitening for $150. That's a pretty good deal for a bright new smile. If you're considering whitening your teeth, now would be a good time. Your dentist can let you know what kind of results to expect with your smile.

November 14, 2007

Keeping Your Teeth Healthy for Life

For decades, Conni Sota left every dental checkup with a clean bill of health. But then came a string of troubles: first the “twinges� with cold drinks, then thinning gums. Inconsistent flossing got some of the blame, admits Sota, 51, who works in a Philadelphia-area law office. But the bigger culprit was age: “Teeth and gums are vulnerable to wear, and it’s during your 50s and 60s that problems often start to show up,� says Robert Palmer, head of geriatrics at the Cleveland Clinic.

Teeth Whitening

The good news: A few changes to your dental routine can help. Here, warning signs to watch for — and fixes that will keep your smile healthy. Warning Sign: Twinges:

Fluoridated water was less widespread when Sota was growing up, and there were no fluoride rinses. Without that protection, “most of us in this age group have fillings, and that’s where we often see cracks in patients over 50,� says Kimberly Harms, a consumer advisor for the American Dental Association. “When a tooth is repaired, it’s never as strong as the original.�

But with age, even unfilled teeth become vulnerable to cracks. And those are prime breeding grounds for bacteria.

Another common entry point: the gum line, where tissue recedes with age.

“Decay here can become serious quickly because it’s close to the tooth’s nerve,� says Harms. “If you don’t prevent or catch it early, you could need a root canal.�

Call your dentist if you feel even a slight twinge. It may take an x-ray to pinpoint the crack, which can be smoothed or filled. Larger breaks often require a full crown or cap.

Your best defenses: brushing, flossing, and using a fluoride rinse. In one study, twice-daily rinsers had nearly one-third the risk of root cavities as did people who used fluoride toothpaste and a placebo rinse. But avoid rinses with alcohol, says Margaret Lappan Green, RDH, past president of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association; they can irritate older gums.

Warning Sign: Sensitive Teeth and Painful Gums:

For people with sensitive teeth, often the reason is that periodontal disease has eroded their gums. This bacterial disease starts without symptoms, and many people don’t know they have it until extensive damage has occurred. More than half of adults over age 55 have at least a mild case.

As bacteria build up at the base of your teeth, you may just notice a little bleeding when you brush. But as the microbes multiply, they loosen gum tissue, eating into underlying ligaments and bone that hold teeth in place. Bacteria may also get into your bloodstream, increasing your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other conditions.

Halt early gum disease with professional deep cleaning, daily antibacterial rinses (like Crest Pro- Health or stronger prescription varieties), and more-frequent dental visits — typically once every 3 months.

If you have sensitive teeth, ask your dentist about topical fluoride or other prescription desensitizing agents. Over-the-counter fluoride rinses or toothpastes such as Sensodyne can also help. And go easy on bleaching, which can temporarily increase sensitivity. Always check with your dentist before beginning to bleach.

“Get religious about flossing,� says Harms.

Choose a toothbrush with soft, rounded bristles. Or try a rotation oscillation electric brush (check the label); research shows that these reduce plaque and gum inflammation better than manual types.

Be sure to ask your dentist this lifesaving question:

“Did you check my mouth for oral cancer?� Risk of the disease rises after age 40 (smokers are at highest risk). Half of all oral cancers are discovered in an advanced stage, when survival odds are low. If caught early, though, it’s one of the most curable cancers — so make sure your dentist is on the lookout.

November 13, 2007

What to know before you try bleaching your teeth at home

With the availability of so many over-the-counter teeth-whitening products, anyone can flash a bright smile at an affordable price.

Kits or products cost $6 to $40 and come in strips, gels or tray applicators, which work as a mold around the teeth. Teeth whitening procedures through a dentist's office can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.

So if you choose to take the less expensive, over-the-counter route, what kind of results should you expect?

"The results vary, but they last between one to six months," said R. Clark Goodwin, a dentist in Fayetteville, N.Y.

Goodwin said many people are obsessed with whitening teeth because of makeover shows and marketing. He said images from television, magazines and advertising always depict people with perfect smiles.

"I hate to say it's a very superficial world, but it is very superficial," Goodwin said. "My philosophy is, we're in the days of modern medicine where it's not unheard of to live to be 90 years of age. If you're going to live to be 90, you might as well live with a nice smile."

The kits and products you buy at a drug or grocery store can be effective, affordable and easy to use, according to Goodwin.

But there are disadvantages:

• Be prepared to repeat the whitening process with kits and products you buy over the counter, since the whiteners usually don't last very long. Goodwin said a dentist can prescribe stronger chemicals that can keep your teeth white for six months to one year.

• Over-the-counter products do not work on caps, crowns, veneers, dentures or fillings.

• Most tray kits work as one-size-fits-all, which might not work with all shapes and sizes of teeth. On the other hand, a dentist customizes trays specifically for your mouth shape.

Carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide are the two main ingredients that bleach the tooth enamel, Goodwin said. Over-the-counter products contain 10 to 22 percent of peroxide, according to the American Dental Association. Goodwin said a dentist can use products with 15 to 40 percent peroxide.

Is bleaching teeth safe?

If you follow the instructions and don't go overboard, bleaching does not harm your teeth, according to Terrence J. Thines, chief of division of dentistry at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, N.Y.

Thines said the bleach can reduce surface stains from food, beverages or cigarettes, but not deeper blemishes within the tooth. For example, antibiotics such as tetracycline can causes permanent discoloration on the teeth that whiteners do not change.

What if you bleach too much?

Bleaching your teeth too much can cause permanent discoloration, damage to the tooth's root and gum sensitivity, according to Thines.