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Can I whiten my bonding?

Posted on by smiles4u.

About 14 years ago I had bonding done on my two front teeth. I really need to have it replaced because it is no longer white, but I am still saving up the money to do it. Until then, will bleaching help with returning it to its original color?  — Sara in Texas

Sara,
Unfortunately, you cannot whiten dental bonding – not even with those high-powered whitening procedures that are done in the dental office. If you try to do it, it will only make your natural teeth look whiter and the difference in color will probably be even more noticeable. Have you talked with your dentist about polishing the bonding? If the discoloration is from external staining it’s possible that the discoloration could be polished away. If the staining is internal, you’ll get the best results by having the bonding replaced.

Be patient and continue to save your money. When it comes to bonding, the worst thing you could do is go bargain shopping for the best price. You’ll want to be sure your dentist has the expertise, artistry and skill to do it right.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Does a holisitic dentist offer safer teeth whitening?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I’ve been thinking about whitening my teeth, but I’m concerned about the chemicals that are used in many of today’s teeth whitening procedures. I have read that some can cause cancer.  I have often thought about seeking out a holistic dentist in my area. I like my dentist, but he uses more modern practices and when I asked him about whitening, he recommended the in-office procedure, which I know is loaded with harsh chemicals. Would a holistic dentist have other options? — Annie in Maryland

Annie,
You are not alone in your concerns and today more people are seeking out natural and holistic dentists. Sadly, many practitioners still rely on what they learned early on in their training, and don’t take the time to seek out the latest information on products and procedures and whether or not they can affect our bodies in a negative way.

The most common active whitening ingredient linked to cancer is the hydrogen peroxide found in in-office treatments. There is no definitive proof that it harms the body, and the only way it can be absorbed is through soft tissue contact. It’s unlikely that your gums will absorb much whitening gel because it is applied with custom-made trays that fit only the teeth and in-office systems block out your gums. You would feel it burning or tingling if it did, and your dentist would need to remove it immediately.

Take-home systems are much lower strength and safer because they are generally made with carbamide peroxide. Holistic dentists often prefer the take-home method because of this.  If you like your dentist and aren’t ready to make a switch ask and see if he has a take-home system that contains carbamide peroxide. An absolute all-natural solution that many people get results with over time would be brushing a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice on your teeth a couple times a week and leaving it there for a few minute. Be sure to rinse it off right away so that the acid in the lemon juice doesn’t damage your enamel.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Can Fake Teeth be Whitened?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I have two fake lateral incisors on a retainer that I wear, but I am planning on getting permanent implants within the next couple of years. In the meantime, my natural teeth are noticeably yellow and I’d like to whiten them. Can I whiten my fake teeth?

— Mark in PA

Mark,

Unfortunately only natural teeth whiten. For the process to work, the whitening agent must come in contact with a live surface – like that of a natural tooth – and open the pores in the enamel to reach the dentin. The oxygen in the whitening agent then penetrates the dentin layer where more whitening takes place and makes it last. That means things like crowns or porcelain veneers cannot be whitened.

If you’re planning on getting implants, we recommend bleaching your teeth about a month before your porcelain crowns are placed. Your dentist will be able to match your new crowns to the new tooth color. If you want to whiten now, a new retainer will need to be made to match your new tooth color. You’ll need to decide if it is worth the cost to do it right now and then also pay for implants later. If you do whiten now, be sure to do a quick touch up right before your crowns are made.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

What whitening toothpaste is the best on the market that i should buy?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

Jordan – All brands of whitening toothpaste only remove surface stains from your teeth, if they help at all. Whitening toothpaste doesn’t stay on your teeth long enough to penetrate them, nor are they strong enough to remove deep stains.

Whitening strips are only ¼ to ½ the strength of the whitening gel you would receive from your dentists.

In addition to take-home treatment with customized trays that help the whitening gel stay on your teeth, many dentists offer in-office treatment. Zoom® whitening is done in the dentist’s office and will give you a brilliant smile within an hour.

Many people want to brighten their teeth at home, but toothpastes and whitening strips won’t give you great results, if they help at all.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Find out why patients consider him to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Is a sonic toothbrush good for teeth whitening?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

At my last dental appointment, I got a coupon for $10 off a sonic toothbrush. I’m thinking about trying it as an alternative to the $300 that it would cost to get my teeth whitened by my dentist. I know that the toothbrush isn’t cheap either but I might save $150 or so because I’m hoping that with time the toothbrush will get my teeth whiter. Will it help? – Rinaldo P. from New Orleans

Rinaldo,

The toothbrush will get your teeth cleaner, but if you want to whiten them, the best way to do so is with teeth whitening from your dentist.

Your dentist will be able to offer you in-office teeth whitening, or a take-home kit. In office treatment is more expensive, but it also is a faster way to a brighter smile—usually within an hour. You’ll receive take-home treatment with customized trays for your teeth, along with bleaching gel for touch-ups to maintain your bright smile.

Take-home teeth whitening is less expensive than the in-office treatment. You’ll still received customized trays and bleaching gel. You’ll put gel in the trays and wear them for a specified period every day, or overnight as your dentists directs. In two to three weeks, you’ll have a dazzling smile.

There are advantages of getting this treatment from your dentist. You’ll receive customized trays that will help you avoid wasting the gel or irritating your gums. Depending on the cause of the stains on your teeth, the bleaching gel makes the stains on them more noticeable. Or, you might have had dental work in the past, with which the bleaching gel is not compatible. And there are some stains, such as tetracycline stains, that require KöR deep bleaching, which you can only receive from your dentist.

Your dentist will be able to tell you if teeth whitening is right for you, and which method and brand will work best.

This blog post is sponsored by the office of New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune of Metairie.

Should I get my teeth bleached before I get a porcelain crown?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I’ve been planning to have my teeth bleached this fall, but I had an accident that broke more than half of one of my front teeth. Now I need a porcelain crown. Does it matter which I have done first—the crown or the teeth bleaching? – Donna P. from River Ridge

Donna – Yes, it does make a difference which treatment you have done first. If you want whiter teeth, they should be bleached first.Then, the porcelain crown will be matched to your whiter teeth. If you get the crown first, when your teeth are bleached, they will be whiter than the crown.The crown will be noticeable—not natural looking—and you’ll likely want a new crown.

You need a waiting period between your teeth whitening and the placement of the crown. When your teeth are bleached, the color will stabilize in about two weeks. So wait for the entire two weeks to pass before attempting to match the porcelain crown to your bleached teeth.

You’ll save time and money if you have your teeth bleached first, wait two weeks for the color to stabilize, and then receive a porcelain crown.

This blog is brought to you by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune.