Glen Ellyn Dentist - Chicago Implant Dentistry » Tooth Whitening

White Smiles For Life!

editor — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 14:40:45 +0000

How having a drop-dead gorgeous smile is affordable to everyone!

We are pleased to offer our patients a new program called:

White Smiles For Life!

When you come to our office for your initial examination and cleaning, we will provide you with custom bleaching trays and material for a one-time enrollment fee of $99. (The usual fee for custom bleaching is $500!) Then, at each six month preventative visit, we will give you a complimentary touch up kit of bleaching gel. This ensures that you will be able to keep your teeth bright and beautiful for life! We appreciate the opportunity to serve you and look forward to seeing your bright smile for many years to come!
All we ask in return is:

* You keep your six month preventative visits current. Your long term dental health is as important to us as it is to you. Our patients have found that these six month visits greatly help reduce emergencies. That is why we are happy to provide this extra bonus for our patients who are committed to their dental health.
* Provide at least 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or change an appointment. In order to provide exceptional services like White Smiles For Life to all of our patients, we ask that you give us the courtesy of advance notice for schedule changes.

$99 One-Time Enrollment Fee--and Free touch-up tooth whitening for the rest of your life!

Is it Safe?

Dr. Gibbs — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 15:51:12 +0000

Numerous scientific studies and thousands of satisfied patients have proven the safety of supervised tooth whitening. It is not recommended only in pregnant women, uncontrolled gum disease, or in areas having dental decay. Some over-the-counter or internet products should be cautioned against since all the individual chemicals may not be regulated or tested. Supervised bleaching will not alter the micro-hardness or susceptibility to future decay.

The most common concerns are cold sensitivity or gum irritation, both short-lived and easily controlled by the dental office. Reliable Results Bleaching has become very popular for a whiter and brighter smile because it's fast, simple and inexpensive with excellent and predictable results.

Factors such as old restorations, decay, decalcifications and hypo-calcifications, gum recession, and previous whitening problems are carefully assessed on an individual basis. Some dental problems such as decay and gum recession must be addressed PRIOR to tooth whitening.

Visit our Whitening Gallery

What About Over-The-Counter Options?

Dr. Gibbs — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 15:44:28 +0000

Both at-home and in-office treatments are considerably more effective than the whiteners available at retail. The over-the-counter products have much lower concentrations of bleach and sometimes use materials and ill-fitting trays that can cause damage to the teeth and gums. If you decide to use them use established brand names. Avoid (think plague) sensational internet ads with oftened faked testimonials carefully crafted to attack attention. Remember this is your health and your smile and disasters are painful and costly.

There are some reputable brands such as Crest-White-Strips. These operate with adhesive strips with a whitening gel incorporated into them. A additional drawback is that some over-the-counter (OTC) products only cover the front teeth leaving the side teeth dark and showing when smiling.

The drawback to these is "ease-of -use" vs. cost. Also--the teeth MUST be carefully assesssed prior to use with consideration of decay, hidden "between-th-teeth" decay, gum recession and periodontal disease.

In-Office Method

Dr. Gibbs — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 15:43:29 +0000

The gum tissues are covered to protect them from being irritated by a higher concentration of the bleaching material. The bleach is then activated by a high intensity light or a laser to accelerate the process. This method is usually repeated at separate appointments and is considerably more expensive than the at-home method. Most patients require a touch-up after one to five years, depending on the patient's habits and desires. At-home touch up kits are also available for periodic touch-up that can keep the smile bright.For the patients requesting (or needing!) fast deep lightening, we now offer Zoom same-day whitening. Zoom was made famous on the show Extreme Makeover. In just one hour, your teeth are whitened with a power light and solution.

At-Home Method

Dr. Gibbs — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 15:41:29 +0000

A custom mouth piece or "tray" is made to fit your teeth by the dental office. This tray fits over the patient's teeth and holds the bleaching material against the teeth for a specified period of time. There are different concentrations of bleach that are worn via the tray for one to five hours per day for an average of 10 to 14 days. The regimen will be determined by the dentist and may differ for each patient. If the teeth become more sensitive to hot and cold, a "desensitizing" material may be used in the same tray on alternating days. Results are usually excellent with this method.

How is it done?

Dr. Gibbs — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 15:40:46 +0000

There are two commonly used methods for bleaching: at-home and in-office. Both begin with an office consultation to determine if the patient is a good candidate for the bleaching process. The at-home technique is the most popular and least expensive. The in-office method allows the dentist to place a higher concentration of bleach over the teeth.

Tooth Whitening (Bleaching) and is it safe?

Dr. Gibbs — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 15:40:12 +0000

Bleaching is a very conservative and non-invasive approach to creating a brighter and more appealing smile. Teeth can often take on a darker and unattractive appearance with age or from contact with staining substances. The discoloration can be caused by tobacco, coffee or tea, juices, poor hygiene, genetics, and natural aging.

Tooth Sensitivity & Whitening, Bleaching & Sensitive Teeth

editor — Fri, 06 Jan 2006 03:47:19 +0000

Are you concerned about tooth Sensitivity and discomfort when whitening or bleaching your teeth? There are several causes, and fortunately several cures!
Sensitivity is usually caused when gas released by the bleaching process, and the bleaching solution is absorbed into the tooth surface. It is most common in persons with gum recession. Bleaching should never be done by persons with untreated decay, or leaky fillings (good reason to have a professional check prior to bleaching!). Sensitivity is also more common with unregulated "over-the-counter" or internet products that have been thoroughly tested (buyer beware applies!). This applies especially to gum sensitivity caused by poor (sometimes no fit) fitting applicator trays that let the stronger bleaching to actually CHEMICALLY BURN the gums.
Most sensitivity is short lasting and in the vast majority of cases reversal able in a few days. The best ways to prevent and treat it are:

Have the teeth checked prior to whitening. Tooth whitening simply not appropriate for everyone.
Talk to the professional helping to determine if a custom home applicator, or in-office s best for you. Avoid "one size works for all" solutions!
A common solution is the administration of the whitening in the office. Although the solutions are stronger, they are applied for a shorter period of time, and can be restrained from affecting sensitive root surfaces and gums.
Try bleaching every 2nd or 3rd day or for shorter periods of time. The result should be cumulative though take longer.
Avoid solution that may stain during the process as the teeth may be more "stainable" during the lightening process.
Desensitizing agents such as sodium nitrate, amorphous calcium phosphate, or a neutral fluoride are incorporated or alternated with some professional bleaching solutions. This is an area where professional judgment is best.

Don’t give up on tooth lightening. Products have improved in the last few years and results are better!