Reality & Facts About Teeth Whitening Products

Latest Dental News: Why is it safer and important to have your teeth whitened by a dentist instead of hairdresser?

You’ve seen the ads on TV and the internet for tooth-whitening products that promise a brighter, more beautiful smile. But just how effective are tooth whitening products?

How tooth whitening products work:

Tooth whiteners are products that make teeth appear whiter. There are two general classes of tooth whitening products:

• Bleaching products containing chemicals like peroxides that can remove both surface and deep stains and can change a tooth’s natural color.
• Non-bleaching products don’t contain bleach but do contain ingredients that act physically or chemically to remove stains on the surface of teeth.

Carbamide peroxide-containing whiteners:
Tooth-whitening products approved by the American Dental Association (ADA) include those with 10 percent carbamide peroxide. In water, this chemical breaks down to product hydrogen peroxide and urea. It’s the hydrogen peroxide that will bleach your teeth. Products with 10 percent carbamide peroxide may also include other ingredients like glycerin and flavoring agents. Clinical studies indicate that at a neutral pH, products containing 10 percent carbamide peroxide are safe and effective. Some side effects of these products include:

• Tooth sensitivity
• Occasional irritation of the inside cheeks and gums

Hydrogen peroxide-containing whiteners:
Some tooth whitening products are gels containing 15-35 percent hydrogen peroxide. The tooth whitening effects of these products can be enhanced using a light or laser system to obtain more immediate results. The gum tissues should be protected with a neutral gel or shield prior to using these products.

Side effects can include:

• Tooth sensitivity
• Occasional irritation of the inside of the mouth and gums
• Tooth damage (rarely)

Tray-based bleaching systems versus gels:
Peroxide-containing products are available as tray-based systems or as gels that can be applied using a brush or painted on. In tray-based systems, the tooth whitening gel is placed in a tray that fits over your teeth. While you wear the tray (for example, overnight), your teeth are bleached. Over-the-counter products provide one-sized-fits all trays that can cause non-uniform bleaching and possible irritation. A dentist can provide you with a custom-fitted tray for better results.

Over-the-counter paints and gels also can be applied non-uniformly (particularly when brushed or painted on). There may be more potential for irritation of the gums and inside of the mouth with these products, since over-the-counter tooth whitening products don’t tend to come with shields to protect these sensitive areas.

Whitening strips:
Whitening strips typically contain a thin coating of a peroxide gel. Whitening strips are usually applied for 30 minutes twice a day for about two weeks. Although they can produce visible whitening in a few days, strips whiten the surface of teeth and not the enamel between teeth, which can result in uneven whitening.

Whitening toothpastes:
Whitening toothpastes are not bleaching products. Those that bear the ADA Seal of Acceptance remove surface stains by polishing or by using chemicals to bind to the chemicals that cause staining. Whitening toothpastes don’t tend to be as effective as peroxide-containing products, but can be used as maintenance products after a bleaching procedure.

In-office treatment versus over-the-counter tooth whitening
Tooth whitening can be performed in-office by a cosmetic dentist or can be performed at home with an over-the-counter tooth whitening product.

There are advantages to professional treatment, including:

• More immediate results: A cosmetic dentist has access and the skill to use more concentrated bleaching products.
• Greater safety: A cosmetic dentist will be aware of your dental history and will take steps to protect your gums during the tooth whitening process.
• More uniform results: A cosmetic dentist will have the experience to apply a tooth whitening product uniformly for the best results.

Even if you choose an over-the-counter product, a cosmetic dentist will be able to tell you which product is right for you and advise you as to the safest procedures. If you are using a tray-based whitening system, a cosmetic dentist can provide you with a customized bleaching tray so that you can obtain more uniform whitening results.

Source: How Effective Are Tooth Whitening Products?

Previous Posts:
No Dental Fear For Anxious Patients & Nervous Patients: Sedation Dentistry
Dental Crowns & Materials Used For Crowns
Dentists Dublin: Cosmetic Dentist in Ireland, Portobello
Reasons & Causes of Tooth Discoloration
Dental Implants & Bone Grafting

No Dental Fear For Anxious Patients & Nervous Patients: Sedation Dentistry

Latest Dental News: Cleveland doctor practices sedation dentistry

Are you afraid of going to the dentist? If so, you are not alone. An estimated one-third of Americans do not go to the dentist because they are afraid of the potential pain and discomfort. This can lead to many problems because cavities, gum disease, and more go undetected and untreated. This can lead to root canals and tooth loss down the road once the pain becomes more than they can bear.

While many dentists claim to “cater to cowards,” even the nicest of dentists can still leave their patients nervous wrecks. Sedation dentistry is a completely different approach to treating patients and their teeth.

Sedation dentistry is used to provide a relaxing and calming experience for the patient. This is achieved by using varying levels of treatment depending on the patient and the procedure. The most common form is nitrous oxide which is administered throughout the procedure through a nasal mask or hood. The patient still knows what is going on around him, but is much calmer and more relaxed. It also serves to numb the gums, which can make injections easier.

Another option is IV sedation, which delivers the medication intravenously for an immediate result. Unlike nitrous oxide, it induces more of a sleep-like consciousness. It is best used when patients are extremely anxious or scared.

For those who do not like needles, a third option is oral conscious sedation. One benefit of this treatment is that patients do not remember the experience, although they are able to move and respond to the dentist throughout.

Because of the serious nature of the medication, people who use any of these treatments during their dental procedure will need to be driven home. The medication does not wear off quickly enough for the patient to have recovered sufficiently to drive.

If you are afraid of the dentist, that is not reason to put off the treatment that you desperately need for proper dental health. Talk to your dentist about whether he or she performs sedation dentistry. If not, you should look into finding someone else in your area that does.

Source: Sedation Dentistry: Solving Dental Care Concerns For Anxious Patients

Previous Posts:
Dental Crowns & Materials Used For Crowns
Reasons & Causes of Tooth Discoloration
Dentists Portobello: Cosmetic Dentist in Dublin, Ireland
Dental Implants & Bone Grafting
Stress, Jaw Problems & Headache Due to TMJ Disorder

Dental Crowns & Materials Used For Crowns

Latest Dental News: How to replace missing teeth – crowns & bridges, dentures and implants?

Has extensive wear and tear damaged your tooth to the point that its functionality is compromised? Than you need to consider a dental crown. A dental crown is essentially a cap placed over your tooth to:

• Prevent further damage
• Serve as a shell for a cracked tooth
• Replace a crown
• Allow a damaged tooth to regain functionality

Do I Need A Dental Crown?
While options such as porcelain veneers are another route you can take to prevent further tooth decay or repair a damaged tooth, if excessive damage has compromised your oral health, dental crowns are your only course of action. This is because unlike other smile restoration procedures, dental crowns provide a more fortified foundation for your teeth. Instances when this is required are:

• You’re the victim of periodontal disease, which would automatically disqualify you for porcelain veneers
• Grinding or clenching your teeth
• Major decay has eroded the foundation of your teeth
• Significant shape change is required to meet your goals

What’s The Procedure Like?
If you experience dental anxiety, many dental offices now practice sedation dentistry to alleviate any stress you may experience. However, compared to other smile restoration options, the dental crown procedure is rather simple and non-invasive:

• First, Dr. Jamie Sands and Dr. Jason Sands will prepare the tooth for receiving the crown. During this visit, an impression is made of your teeth and sent to the laboratory
• While the crown is being created, we will provide you with a temporary crown to protect your tooth
• Once the crown is finished, you return to the dental office to have the cap bonded to your damaged tooth

What Are My Options For A Crown?
There are three kinds of commonly used dental crowns:

• Porcelain
• Porcelain-fused-to-metal
• Gold

Depending on your cosmetic goals, financial restrictions, and oral health needs, you can discuss with your dentist the most appropriate route for you.

Porcelain
Porcelain dental crowns (also known as all-ceramic) are the most aesthetically pleasing and natural looking dental crown, as it is completely metal-free. However, there are drawbacks, such as it is not as strong or durable as its counterparts and thus should not be used in heavily used areas of the mouth.

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are the most commonly used dental crowns today. They are more durable than pure porcelain and remain a very natural looking option. However, as time peels back your gum line, more of the metal collar will show.

Gold
While not as popular as porcelain dental crowns, gold crowns are still used today under specific circumstances. For instance, if a patient grinds or clenches their teeth, gold crowns are the best route as they are more durable than porcelain options. Additionally, they provide more longevity than their porcelain counterparts.

Source: Dental Crowns: All You Need To Know

Previous Posts:
Reasons & Causes of Tooth Discoloration
Dental Implants & Bone Grafting
Dentist Portobello: Cosmetic Dentistry in Dublin, Ireland
Stress, Jaw Problems & Headache Due to TMJ Disorder
Advantages of Teeth Inlays, Onlays & Teeth Fillings

Reasons & Causes of Tooth Discoloration

Latest Dental News: Dental Resorption

It is almost impossible to maintain your teeth well enough to have a naturally dazzling white smile throughout your lifetime. There are many reasons why this is unattainable, and many of the factors involved are not related to the kinds of food you eat on a daily basis.

“Many of my patients don’t realize that stained or discolored teeth is not just a result of drinking coffee too much or smoking,” says Dr. Dennis Ikuta, a cosmetic dentist in Reedley, California. “There are many causes of stained or discolored teeth, including genetics, medications, and diseases in addition to foods, drinks, and tobacco use.”

Genetics, Aging and Tooth Enamel
For some people, genetics have a major role in why their teeth are not as naturally bright or white as other people. Just as your DNA determines your eye and hair color, it also determines the color of your enamel. If your parents have naturally bright white or yellow teeth, chances are that you will have a similar shade.

Aside from the natural shade of your enamel, there are other genetically predisposed factors that can contribute to the discoloration of your teeth. Enamel defects like microscopic pits, fissures. and other surface abnormalities can make the teeth susceptible to the accumulation of staining foods, drinks, or tobacco. When your enamel naturally wears down with age, the yellow-colored tooth structure underneath will also begin to show through.

A genetic salivary dysfunction can also contribute to staining because saliva is a key component in naturally removing plaque and food debris from your tooth surfaces. If you do not produce as much saliva as you should, your first line of defense against staining is greatly weakened, and you will need to greatly accelerate your dental hygiene routine to avoid staining.

Diseases and Medications that Affect Your Teeth
Many diseases and daily medications for common ailments can have an affect on the color of your teeth over time. There are diseases that can directly cause tooth discoloration (like enamel diseases) and there are diseases that can indirectly cause discoloration through their affect on your dental health or the medications you must take to control their symptoms.

For example, the onset of diabetes can cause your periodontal (gum) health to deteriorate more rapidly than for those without the disease. When your periodontal health is compromised, the bacteria, plaque and tartar build-up on your teeth increases, eventually leading to stains.

Many medications also increase tooth discoloration. Common anti-psychotic, anti-depressants, and acne medications such as tetracycline cause discoloration of the teeth. In addition, medications that dry out your mouth can lead to discoloration because they affect the amount of saliva helping to naturally wash away food particles from your mouth.

The Solution: Professionally Whitening Your Teeth
If your teeth are stained due to any of the reasons mentioned above, you may be a good candidate for professional tooth whitening. Depending on the cause of your stained teeth, your cosmetic dentist may recommend professionally whitening your teeth in an office environment or using an at-home whitening kit. You will need to tell your cosmetic dentist if you suffer from a disease or take a medication that has impacted your dental health. This information is critical in determining the best long-term tooth whitening strategy for you.

Contact an experienced cosmetic dentist near you today if you would like to gain or restore a dazzling white smile. No matter what the cause of your stained or discolored teeth, a cosmetic dentist will help you find a tooth whitening solution for you.

Source: The Different Causes of Tooth Discoloration

Previous Posts:
Dental Implants & Bone Grafting
Stress, Jaw Problems & Headache Due to TMJ Disorder
Wakefield Cosmetic Dentistry, Opticians in Wakefield
Advantages of Teeth Inlays, Onlays & Teeth Fillings
Invisalign Teeth Braces: Invisible Way for Teeth Straightening

Dental Implants & Bone Grafting

Latest Dental News: Dental Implants & Bone Grafting

Many dental patients suffer from discomfort, sore spots and even gaps when using bridges or dentures. Dental implants are a permanent solution for permanent tooth loss. A dental team made of an oral surgeon, periodontist and general practitioner dentist will decide on the best course of action for the patient’s individual needs. The patient’s overall health and dental history is reviewed and several diagnostic tests are taken to determine if the patient has adequate bone density to hold the implants.

If the team finds it necessary to build up the bone before the implant surgery, the patient will undergo a bone grafting procedure first. Bone grafting is a common procedure for patients suffering from periodontal disease and for dental implant candidates.

Bone Grafting Sources
Replacing missing bone or adding to existing bone is essential for an implant patient with inadequate bone density. There are several material sources available for the bone grafting procedure. The best source is from the implant patient. Material is collected from other areas within the mouth through a suction apparatus during the drilling process for the implants. Sometimes, bones are taken from outside of the mouth such as the hip. If the surgery involves removing material from the hip, the procedure will be done in a hospital by an orthopedic surgeon.

Another common source is from cadavers. The bone is retrieved from a bone bank that has tested it thoroughly to be sure its disease-free. The procedure is very safe and very effective for patients suffering from bone loss. If natural bone isn’t the right fit, other optional materials include synthetic bone, animal bones, coral and biocompatible polymers.

Bone Grafting Procedures
There are several different bone grafting procedures:

• Sinus Grafting – the donor bone is inserted into the floor of the sinus membrane, which is the roof of the upper jaw. This procedure strengthens the egg shell thin wall of bone left behind after upper teeth are removed

• Block Bone Grafting – a block of bone is removed from one area of the patient and screwed into the area where the implants are to be placed. It takes four to six months for the new bone to integrate with the jaw bone

• Guided Tissue Regeneration – when a dentist creates a surgical hole, the soft gum tissue grows quickly over the hole blocking the bone. A membrane barrier is placed over the surgical hole to prevent unwanted gum growth. The membrane is removed later or absorbed by the body

• Bone Expansion – the walls of the bone is stretched or widened to accommodate the implant

• Socket Preservation Grafting – a donor bone is inserted into the tooth socket after tooth removal and takes four to six months to completely heal.

Source: Bone Grafting for Implants

Previous Posts:
Stress, Jaw Problems & Headache Due to TMJ Disorder
Advantages of Teeth Inlays, Onlays & Teeth Fillings
Wakefield Opticians, Dentists in Wakefield
Invisalign Teeth Braces: Invisible Way for Teeth Straightening
Reality & Myths about Cosmetic Surgery & Plastic Surgery

Stress, Jaw Problems & Headache Due to TMJ Disorder

Latest Dental News: Jaw Problems & Headaches

“All this stress – it’s giving me a headache!” How many times have you heard someone say something similar, or even said such a thing yourself? It’s a common sentiment, and it’s based in reality. Stress can manifest itself in all sorts of physical symptoms.

Work, money, relationships, and just life in general can all cause stress. And stress can cause headaches, joint pain, eyestrain and other problems. But experts suggest that, often times, headaches are not caused by stress. Rather, the headaches are caused by a condition known as Temporomandibular Joint Disorder. It’s this condition – referred to as TMJ – which is actually causing the headaches, joint pain and other supposed stress-related conditions. It’s a vicious circle – the TMJ creates the headaches, persistent headaches lead to stress, and the stress then further intensifies the headaches.

“TMJ can cause an unending cycle of pain and stress for the sufferer,” says Dr. Dennis Ikuta, a Reedley, California neuromuscular dentist. “By going to a neuromuscular dentist to treat the symptoms of your TMJ, you can alleviate the pain and stress it may be causing.”

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder: What is it?
Some estimates place TMJ as the third most common health problem in the United States today, yet not many people have actually heard about it. The problem with TMJ is that it is hard to diagnose, and has a myriad of symptoms. Some of the most common ones include headaches, toothaches, blurred vision, tingling in the arms, neck pain, and a clicking sound in the jaw.

So what is TMJ? TMJ is a disorder that arises when the jaw is improperly aligned, and it can cause many different painful symptoms. It can be a genetic condition, or the result of an accident. Regardless, when your jawbones and muscles are “out of whack,” problems can occur throughout your body.

So why, if TMJ is so common, is it so commonly misdiagnosed? The answer is surprising. The experts in TMJ aren’t typically doctors. Rather, the experts are neuromuscular dentists.

Neuromuscular Dentists Know TMJ
Neuromuscular dentists have additional, post-dental-school training at neuromuscular dentistry schools. Aside from learning about veneers, bleaching, and other traditional dental procedures, neuromuscular dentists also learn how to prevent these procedures from affecting the temporomandibular joint, as well as diagnose and treat TMJ and other structural disorders of the neck and jaw.

Diagnosing TMJ requires both expertise and special equipment. A computer model is made of your jaw and bite pattern, which allows your dentist to see exactly what’s wrong. Treatment for TMJ depends on the severity and extent of the individual’s condition. It could involve something as extensive as surgery, or something as simple as custom-made mouth apparatus. Typically, most cases are treated – at least partially – by the TENS system, which uses electrical pulses to eliminate the TMJ pain.

Say Goodbye to Stress
If you suffer from persistent headaches, you owe it to yourself to visit with a neuromuscular dentist. You might be suffering from TMJ. If so, you deserve treatment – treatment for TMJ will relieve the symptoms, and the subsequent stress that is often associated with chronic pain.

Diagnosing and treating TMJ is usually simple – if you know where to look! Often, that means scheduling an appointment with a neuromuscular dentist. They’re the TMJ experts! So if you suffer from unexplained headaches, jaw pain and the like, just remember: it might not be stress, it might be TMJ.

Source: Stress; the cause of TMJ?

Previous Posts:
Advantages of Teeth Inlays, Onlays & Teeth Fillings
Invisalign Teeth Braces: Invisible Way for Teeth Straightening
Optician in Wakefield Cosmetic Dentistry
Reality & Myths about Cosmetic Surgery & Plastic Surgery
Poularity & Facts About Cosmetic Surgery & Plastic Surgery