Tag Archives: Teeth Whitening

Zoom Whitening

Will Zoom Whitening Refresh My Porcelain Veneers?

I have had my porcelain veneers for a little over seven months. Everything was fine, but recently I have noticed that they have begun taking on stains. I tried over-the-counter teeth whitening strips, but they do not seem to be helping. My dentist does zoom whitening. Would that help?

Laurie

Dear Laurie,

a porcelain veneer being held up to a tooth

The glaze on porcelain veneers are very stain resistant. In fact, they are more stain resistant than your natural teeth. If they are picking up stains then something has damaged the glazing that protects them.

You mentioned that you have had them for a bit over seven months. This is enough time for you to go in for a check up and cleaning.  It is possible that the hygienist was unaware that using a power prophy jet or acidulated fluoride could damage the glazing.

My suggestion is you ask your hygienist what he or she used during your appointment. If they damaged the veneers then they should be the ones to repair them.

Unfortunately, Zoom Whitening will not help. Teeth whitening only works on natural tooth structure, not dental work. This is also why the over the counter strips didn’t work.

The good news is that there is a way to repair the glazing. If your dentist does not know how, have him cover the expense of having an expert cosmetic dentist do that for you.

Once they are repaired, I recommend you use Supersmile Toothpaste. It is specifically designed to keep dental work in top shape. It can even remove coffee stains without any damage to your porcelain veneers.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Dentists Drs. Foreman and Thimmesch.

Invisalign

Retainer After Invisalign Treatment

I am on my last pair of aligners for Invisalign. An opportunity I cannot pass up has been offered to me, but it will require me moving in the next week to another state. As you can imagine, I have a LOT to take care of between now and then. Fortunately, my new company is paying for my move and a temporary home until I find something. However, I still have to figure out what to do about my Invisalign. I don’t know if I will need to find another Invisalign dentist when I move or not. My dentist mentioned that I will need to wear a retainer after my treatment is done. I don’t know if that is like a regular retainer or if Invisalign does something different. Can you give me some guidance here?

Belinda

Dear Belinda,

Invisalign aligner

 

Congratulations on the new job! It sounds like you have exciting things ahead of you. If you were in the middle of your Invisalign treatment, I would say that you would need to find another Invisalign certified dentist to continue your treatment.

You are on your last pair of aligners, so unless there have been some complicating factors  that you have not mentioned, then I see no need for you to have to find another Invisalign dentist.

Retainers are something just about any dentist can do. Plus, your current dentist is ethically obligated to send them all of your diagnostics and treatment records, including his notes.

Using Your Invisalign Aligner as a Retainer

You may not even need to do that, though. It sounds like you are going to be very busy so I want you to focus on getting your new life and home set up and not have to squeeze getting fit for a retainer in for that. You can actually use your final aligners as your retainer. Here is how:

  1. Start by wearing them all the time for a month.
  2. Then wear them only at night for one to two months.
  3. Try every other night, testing for movement.

Here is how you test for movement:

If you find it a bit more challenging to put the aligner in after you went to the next stage, that means that the teeth shifted some. Go back to the previous stage for another month or two and then test it again.

4. If every other night works, do that for a couple of months.
5. Try every 3 nights. After each new stage, test for movement.
6. Go to once per week.
7. Try not wearing them at all.

Keep your aligners around even after this for two reasons. First, you can periodically check for shifting of your teeth and use them as needed. Second, the aligners can double as teeth whitening trays. If your dentist offers teeth whitening, they can provide you with the whitening gel and you can wear them without having to have custom trays made, which will save you money.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Dentist Drs. Foreman and Thimmesch.

Invisalign

Am I Too Old for Invisalign?

I have never had a straight smile. When I was little, my parents could not afford dental care, let alone braces. In adulthood, I had one tragedy after another, which also kept me from getting braces. Now, I am 57. I know it sounds vain, but I am in a situation where I can finally do something about this. I know the teenagers are mostly using Invisalign to straighten their teeth. Am I too old for that way of straightening my teeth? I was hoping to do it without a mouth full of metal.

Althea

Dear Althea,

Invisalign aligner

First, let me say there is absolutely no vanity in wanting straight teeth no matter what your age. Not only is it just taking the best care of your teeth that you can, but when your teeth are not straight, it can contribute to jaw pain and even migraine headaches.  That means that straightening your teeth is also taking care of your health.

Second, you are definitely not too old to have Invisalign. While you may know about it from teenagers, it was actually made first and foremost for adults. Invisalign Teen didn’t come into play until several years later.

I personally know of an 80 something year old woman who used Invisalign and was quite pleased with it! You’ve got quite a few years to catch up with her. In fact, you’re practically a pup!

I’ll let you in on a little secret too. If you were also interested in whitening your teeth, you could do it simultaneously with your Invisalign treatment. The aligners you would use for your orthodontic treatment can double as teeth whitening trays. Then, your dentist would only need to provide you with the whitening gel.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Dentists Drs. Foreman and Thimmesch.

Zoom Whitening

Zoom Whitening Left One Tooth Lighter than Others

Two days ago I had Zoom whitening done. It all went pretty well, and I had very little pain or sensitivity after. It didn’t burn my gums or anything like that. I was surprised because a friend of mine did experience those things, but she does have extra sensitive teeth.

But now I can’t help but notice my right front tooth, the one next to the eye tooth, is lighter than all the others! At first, I thought I was imagining things, but I’ve looked at it under different lights and it’s definitely lighter than its neighbors. I asked my wife and she can see it too.

Why would this happen? What should I do?

Thanks,
Eric

Dear Eric,

Zoom whitening patient under the light

 

For those who are unfamiliar with this procedure, Zoom Whitening works by having a professional place a hydrogen peroxide based gel on the teeth, which is then activated by shining a specific type of light upon it. It will whiten any natural tooth structure, but will not whiten dental work, such as tooth-colored fillings or crowns, whether porcelain fused to metal, zirconia, or veneers.

The light activation allows you to get your teeth completely whitened in just one appointment.

What Would Cause One Tooth To Be Lighter Than The Others?

There are a few reasons this might happen. If the neighboring teeth have more filling material than this tooth, it could appear lighter due to the higher presence of natural tooth structure that is responding to the whitening agent. If this tooth happens to have an already-light crown or veneer, this may occur.

Sometimes it may be due to differences in the application of the gel, if it had been applied unevenly. Other times it may simply be caused by the original shade of the tooth itself, compared to the others. These shade differences occur naturally at times, and a tooth that was slightly lighter to begin with may end up lighter at the finish.

 

What Can Be Done?

Call your dentist; they should be able to get you in for an evaluation. If this was not due to an existing filling, crown or veneer, the doctor may choose to do a touch-up, where additional Zoom whitening treatment is given to the neighboring teeth to see if they can be lifted to match the shade of the lighter tooth. This may take a few appointments. Barring that, you may consider bonding or a porcelain veneer to attain the shade match desired. Many options exist, but they all begin by calling the office.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Dentists Drs. Foreman and Thimmesch.

Invisalign

Will Invisalign Work for Crooked Teeth?

I was hoping to get Invisalign to fix my crooked teeth. They have bothered me my entire life. My dentist referred me to an orthodontist. However, the orthodontist said that Invisalign is not intended to fix crooked teeth. His suggestion is that I go with traditional braces. I’m 47 years old and will feel ridiculous with a mouth full of metal. Is there another option for me?

Kelly

Dear Kelly,

Invisalign aligner

 

Not intended to fix crooked teeth?? What in the world does he think they were designed for? My suspicion, in this case, is that the orthodontist you went to see is not trained in Invisalign. All of his training is with traditional braces, therefore that is what he is going to recommend.

My recommendation, however, is that you get a second opinion. Look for a dentist in your area that does Invisalign. It does not have to be an orthodontist and see what they think of your case.

The procedure has advanced quite a bit over the years. While, originally, it only worked on ideal cases, now it is also effective with the complicated cases as well.

You’ll find it has a high patient satisfaction rate and can straighten your teeth in about half the time as the metal braces.

Additionally, there is a hidden benefit. The clear aligners used to straighten your teeth can also double as teeth whitening trays. This means, if you wish, your dentist can provide you with teeth whitening gel to wear in the trays, enabling you to straighten and whiten your teeth at the same time.

By the time your procedure is over, it will be like having a mini smile makeover with a straight, white smile you can be proud to share with the world around you.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Dentist Drs. Foreman and Thimmesch.

CEREC

Matching My CEREC Crown

I needed a dental crown and thought this would be a good chance to try my dentist’s new CEREC machine. I knew it would save me some time. At the appointment, we never really discussed the color. It felt fine and I assumed everything else would be as well. It was not until I got home that I saw the color discrepancy. Now, it is all I notice about my smile and I feel like the tooth looks fake. I don’t know what to do. I have tried using over the counter whitening products in order to get my other teeth as white as the CEREC crown, but thus far, no luck. Is it crazy to ask my dentist to darken it?

Sandra

Dear Sandra,

Block of porcelain for a CEREC crown

I do not think it is crazy at all to want your teeth to match one another. I can already tell you that your dentist has no real expertise in cosmetic dentistry. A true cosmetic dentist would have let you get a good look at the crown to make certain you approved of them before permanently bonding them on. It is possible that he noticed the color difference and didn’t want to have to redo them.

CEREC crowns are very convenient, but if you are having one placed on a front tooth, it will be important that the dentist have real cosmetic expertise. CERECs are milled from a single block of porcelain. This makes them look rather flat and bright. However, there are stains and tints a skilled cosmetic dentist can use in order to make them blend in well with the remainder of your teeth. Unfortunately, these have to be baked into the crowns before they are completed.

You have a couple of choices here. You can give your dentist another opportunity to get these right or you can ask for a refund and get this done properly elsewhere. Whichever you decide, make certain they let you see the crown with a temporary try-in paste first so you can get a good look at them in several lights and give your approval or disapproval to get it permanently bonded on.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Dentists Drs. Foreman and Thimmesch.

Zoom Whitening

Zoom Whitening and a Date on the Same Day

I finally talked my parents into letting me get Zoom Whitening done on my teeth. The appointment is for February 13. I did that in the hopes that if Brandon asked me out for Valentine’s Day that I’d have a beautiful smile for our date. I’ve been waiting for him to ask me out for weeks. Well, today he asked me out for Valentine’s Day, but wouldn’t you know it, he needs us to go out on the 13th because his parents are making him babysit his siblings so THEY can go out on the 14th. Will it be okay to go out with him on the same day? My aunt had Zoom done and she said her teeth hurt afterward. She does have sensitive teeth though and I don’t think I do.

Brianna

Dear Brianna,

Patient under a Zoom Whitening light
Zoom Whitening Light

Congratulations on the Zoom Whitening and the dream date! I don’t know if your aunt told you what the procedure entails, but I’ll give you a quick rundown. They will put some retractors in your mouth to isolate your teeth and gums. That is not nearly as scary as it sounds. It is mostly so you don’t have to hold your mouth open and still yourself the whole time, which would be crazy hard.

After that they’ll put this material on your gums. It is designed to protect your gums from both the whitening material and the light that will be used on your teeth. From there, the Zoom Whitening gel is applied to your teeth and you sit under the light in small installments. The whole process takes about an hour. It’s usually easy enough where people don’t even need a local anesthetic.

That being said, some people have more sensitive teeth than others. One way around this is to ask your dentist for a fluoride varnish to help lessen the sensitivity. It is also appropriate to take some over the counter pain killers, such as acetaminophen.

You know, you could even make this a two night date. At the end of your outing, you could offer to help him babysit his siblings the next day. It’s always a good idea to see what a guy is like around kids.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Dentists Drs. Foreman and Thimmesch.

Invisalign

Will Invisalign Trays Stain My Teeth?

I’ll be using the Invisalign system soon to straighten my teeth. My friend is getting great results with hers, but I have a question: since the trays are worn all day every day for as many hours as possible, will I develop decay or staining from where the trays collect moisture and stuff? I’m trying to keep my teeth as white as possible, and I may want to professionally whiten them once I’m done with treatment. So I really don’t want stains. Is there any danger of this?

Thanks so much,
Jasmine

Hi Jasmine,

Invisalign aligners
Invisalign Aligner

Great question–it sounds like you’ve thought this through. It is exciting to look forward to having a beautifully straight smile.

Invisalign Is A Great Choice

Instead of metal brackets, bands, and wires, Invisalign trays use clear aligners, which is obviously what so many people love about them. They are thin, clear and flexible, and comfortable enough to wear all day and they are invisible even at a conversational distance. Yes, they do have to be worn against the teeth for many hours a day, and even at night.

The good news is that the Invisalign system promotes much less staining than traditional “old fashioned” metal brackets do, which collected plaque around the edges and were more difficult to keep clean. The plastic material that the aligners are formed from does not pick up stains.

That being said, if the trays are not cleaned properly and regularly they can collect plaque, bacteria, and food debris, all of which can then collect stains. If allowed to rest against the teeth for many hours a day, this could transfer the stains to the enamel, or worse, demineralize the enamel and lead to decay. This is especially true if highly-staining foods are regularly eaten without frequent cleansing: foods such as beets, red wines, coffee, black tea, and the like. Use a straw, and rinse right after eating if you do take in these foods.

It Is Simple

You will not have this problem as long as you cultivate the habit of brushing and flossing well each time before placing clean trays into your mouth. Also, be sure to change your aligners as directed, ensuring a fresh start. If you do notice stained, white, or discolored areas on your teeth despite these measures, let your doctor know right away.

You Can Whiten Right Now

I have some more good news for you as well. Your Invisalign aligners can double as teeth whitening trays. This will allow you to straighten and whiten your teeth at the same time. All you need is some professional strength whitening gel that your dentist can provide for you. Simply wear the gel in your aligners at a time that is convenient for you and you will soon be sporting not just a straight smile, but a white one.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Dentist Drs. Foreman and Thimmesch.

Invisalign

Will Snap on Smile Help with Crooked Teeth?

I am an adult with crooked teeth and I am trying to re-enter the workforce. It has been hard to clean my teeth because they are so crooked. I am wondering if the snap on smile I have read about would be able to make my teeth look straight and white so I have a better chance of getting a job? My dentist is suggesting porcelain veneers but that is a bit out of my budget. I have had several interviews for which I am more than qualified for but can’t seem to get the job. I asked a friend what she thinks is holding me back and she suggested my teeth could be a problem. So, would this snap on smile option work for me?

Patricia

Dear Patricia,

Invisalign aligners
Invisalign Aligner

Your friend is probably onto something regarding your teeth having an impact on the way the interviewer perceives you. Our smile is the first thing people notice about us so we want to put our best teeth forward.

While it is possible that Snap-on Smile could make your teeth look straighter, it is very likely that it will also look fake and bulky. This is made of acrylic, which often ends up looking flat and dull. That will not be a natural look. Another issue is you are placing it on top of already crooked teeth. This adds bulk and will make your smile stick out a bit more. The bulk can also affect the way you speak, which can also negatively impact your performance and impression with the interviewer.

Instead of Snap-on Smile, I am going to suggest you do Invisalign. These will straighten your teeth without anyone knowing you have orthodontics on. Instead of the metal wires and brackets you get with traditional braces, Invisalign uses clear aligners that straighten your teeth in about half the time of braces. These aligners are invisible even at a conversation distance. This is done at a fraction of the cost of the porcelain veneers procedure your dentist suggested to you.

You can also ask your dentist to provide you with some professional strength teeth whitening gel. You can wear these in your aligners, which can double as teeth whitening trays, at a time convenient to you. This will give you a mini smile makeover by straightening and whitening your teeth simultaneously. Plus, whiter teeth give you a more youthful appearance which can also help you if you are re-entering the workforce after a period of time away.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Dentists Drs. Foreman and Thimmesch.

Zoom Whitening

Zoom Whitening and Blood Thinners

I have been wanting to whiten my teeth for some time now. I think I want to do it quickly with that in office procedure that uses the lights. The one thing that is holding me back is that I am on blood thinners because of a heart attack. I have been stable for a while on the same dose and my heart is healthier. Is there a risk for people on blood thinners with this procedure? If so, do I have any options?

Annie

Dear Annie,

Patient under a Zoom Whitening light
Zoom Whitening Light

When you are on blood thinners is important to avoid invasive procedures because the medicine is designed to stop blood clotting in order to protect you from another cardiac event. If you needed an invasive procedure, your doctor would ask you to stop the medications for a while.

The procedure you are referring to is Zoom Whitening and it is an effective way to whiten your teeth quickly. It is not an invasive procedure and as such will not generally cause any bleeding.

That being said, your oral health is a big factor in that. If you have gum disease, your gums will bleed much more easily, even at the slightest pressure on them. I would want to make sure your oral hygiene is in top shape for two months before proceeding. You will need to brush twice a day and floss once a day. Make certain there is no blood on your floss every time before even considering moving forward.

You will also want to have a thorough professional cleaning done as well. Otherwise, your results will be splotchy because there will be a film over parts of your teeth.

I hope this helps you make a decision. Consult with your dentist and see about the health of your gums. If there is any periodontal disease present, that will need to be addressed before moving forward.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Dentists Drs. Foreman and Thimmesch.