| 19 Alpers Avenue Newmarket Auckland NEW ZEALAND 1001 phone [+64] 09 524 5056 fax [+64] 09 524 5057 contact us |
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home : dentistry : tooth whiteningSmile - it's the second best thing you can do with your mouthWhitening of teeth has passed the experimental stage and is now a sensible and increasingly popular treatment option. We are even finding patients are gifting bleaching sessions for family and friends as birthday, Christmas, and even wedding presents! The are basically five different methods of tooth bleaching [or whitening]: 1. The over-the-counter gels and toothpastes available from chemists or the supermarket. These are relatively cheap but are limited in their effectiveness. Don't expect teeth to lighten significantly with these products - in spite of what the sales people say! 2. One shot bleaching. A self moulding disposable tray, available only from a dentist. There is an instant [but not lasting] whitening. This is good for the school [or other] ball and other one off special occasions. It is suitable for people 12 years of age and over.It costs $40 a tray and is worn for one hour. 3. Tray whitening. A soft plastic tray - something like a thin sports mouthguard - is made in our dental office from a model we take of the teeth. The patient is given the tray along with tubes of a bleaching gel. The gel-filled tray is worn on the teeth for about two hours a day for a period of 10 to 20 days - depending on the degree of whitening required. It is recommended for people 14 years or older and costs $450 4. 'Zoom' in office whitening. This 60 to 90 minute procedure is ideal for someone looking for immediate results. It is appropriate for people 16 years or over. The great advantage in the Zoom treatment is that it is a one visit procedure and that's it! However we do advise patients to take a bleaching kit [method 3 above] home with them to maitain the result. Zoom is ideal for that sudden 'dazzling' white smile requirement - like an imminent wedding or the need to impress a prospective employer - and the result lasts much longer than in method 2. The disadvantage could be that it is the most expensive option [well - something has to be the most expensive - doesn't it!]. A Zoom treatment costs $1000, including the take home maintenance kit - or $850 without this kit. The Zoom technique can make the teeth sensitive to acidic foods or temperature changes for a few days after the treatment. This is why Zoom is not suitable for younger patients where teeth are immature and are likely to be damaged by the powerful chemicals. 5. Individual tooth bleaching. This technique is used for discoloured [and commonly root filled] teeth. This procedure is carried out by one of our dentists and costs approximately $220 a tooth. It is commonly used before placing a porcelain veneer over a darkening tooth You are not fully dressed until you wear a smile Ideally patients should be in good health and free from tooth decay and calculus [tartar] deposits. Patients with yellow / brown stains from tobacco, coke, tea, coffee, or red wine will notice the greatest improvement. Just remember that these foods and especially smoking and perhaps medicines - such as iron supplements - will stain the teeth again. There is no point in taking the time and cost to whiten teeth if they are mistreated [as indicated] afterwards. We strongly recommend a professional tooth cleaning prior to bleaching to achieve an optimal result. Dentists are unable to whiten porcelain, composite, or other dental restorative materials. Patients may need to replace existing cosmetic fillings or crowns to match newly whitened teeth. Tooth bleaching is not recommended for pregnant or breast feeding women. Zoom is not recommended for people undergoing PUVA [Psoralen + UV radiation] or photochemtherapy, or patients with melanoma. Patients taking any light sensitive drugs or substances should consult their physician prior to the Zoom procedure, and those using Isotane will need to be assessed first to make sure they are suitable for the Zoom treatment. Bleaching procedures are usually pain free although tooth sensitivity can occur with some patiens after the whitening procedure. Anaesthetic is not required for the bleaching appointments. It is possible that teeth may feel sensitive to heat, cold, or acid [lemon or grapefruit juice for example] for a few days following the bleaching treatment. If you feel your teeth tend to be sensitive, you should purchase a tube of 'tooth mousse' from us [$30 a tube] prior to the bleaching appointment. This cream is applied for 30 minutes a day for the two days prior to the bleaching appointment and then for 30 minutes after each bleaching session. This application will significantly reduce tooth sensitivity. Patients who are mouth breathers could find the extended period in the treatment room with a restriction in being able to breath through the mouth as a limitation to choosing the Zoom option. After tooth whitening, the patient should seek regular professional dental care to maintain oral health and to determine any need for bleaching touch-ups to maintain the white and healthy smile. Hinged to fogetfulness like a door she slowly closed out of sight, and she was the woman that I loved, but too many times she slept like a mechanical deer in my caresses and I ached in the mental silence of her dreams - Richard Brautigan |
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