whitening

Best Tooth Whitening Methods Revealed by Dentists

May 25, 2010 By Julie Frey 4 Comments

When it comes to teeth whitening, dentists say custom-fit bleaching trays for at-home whitening are the most effective option. Three-quarters of the dentists in this survey said it works great.

Dentists feel that in-office gel bleaching and laser teeth whitening work okay, but they are not impressed with store-bought teeth whiteners.

“The at-home custom-fit tray whitening method works best," said one dentist. "Over the course of several days, the patient can control the degree of tooth whitening to her own preferences — something that cannot be said for the other methods. And once the custom trays are made, the patient can easily and efficiently perform the later 'touch-ups' that inevitably will be needed with the passage of time."

"Who trusts a pimply faced kid at the mall to whiten their teeth?" asked a California dentist.

"Any monkey can whiten teeth," said a Florida dentist. "The art is whitening to the fullest extent possible, which varies from person to person; and then to do it predictably without creating sensitivity. Sensitivity can be a real show stopper."

Filed Under: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Surveys Tagged With: cosmetic dentistry, dentist, dentists, teeth whitening, tooth whitening, whitening

Teeth Whitening Does Not Damage Tooth Enamel

May 18, 2010 By Julie Frey 7 Comments

Tooth whitening brightens teeth, but some worry it may damage tooth enamel. Well, researchers have found that home bleaching does not damage enamel.

Published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, this study examined the effects of 10% carbamide peroxide (the active ingredient in many home teeth whiteners) on human tooth enamel.

They found that teeth bleaching does not effect enamel wear. (However, dentin is susceptible to erosion from tooth whitening products.)

This is excellent news, dispelling any notions that whitening yellow teeth through cosmetic dentistry can be bad for one's oral health.

Filed Under: Science & Technology Tagged With: bleaching, cosmetic dentistry, teeth bleaching, teeth whitening, tooth enamel, whitening

Teeth Whitening… at the Airport?!?

March 21, 2010 By Julie Frey 10 Comments

Teeth whitening isn't just for Americans… it seems the whole planet wants white teeth.

Well, that just got easier for UK travelers, who can now get tooth whitening at the airport. Yes, the airport.

Passengers can make appointments at the Manchester and Birmingham airports for a 20-minute laser teeth whitening session before their flight departs. Patients can book online ahead of time, or even drop in for whitening at one of the 5-chair clinics.

The teeth bleaching program, launched under the name of "Smile Company," is an offshoot of Brighter White Teeth Company, and uses a tooth whitening process developed in the US.

And of course, while patients get rid of their yellow teeth at the airport, they're also welcome to pick up at-home teeth whitener products…

"Coffee, anyone? Peanuts? Teeth whiteners?"

Filed Under: Cosmetic Dentistry Tagged With: cosmetic dentistry, teeth bleaching, teeth whitening, tooth whitening, white teeth, whitening, whiter teeth

Dentist Teeth Whitening Popularity (video)

February 19, 2010 By Julie Frey Leave a Comment

Tooth whitening is one of the most popular forms of cosmetic dentistry, and even though some patients overdo it, five out of six dentists don't think it's a problem.

“If people want ‘toilet bowl teeth,’ so what?" asked one cosmetic dentist. "Too white? Isn't that like being too rich?"

“I still see 5-10 patients daily asking about teeth bleaching who have never done any teeth whitening previously," offered another dentist.

Dentists still see many patients asking about tooth whitening and procedures like laser teeth whitening that can only be done in a dentist's office. However, many patients choose over-the-counter teeth whiteners (often containing carbamide peroxide) to get the white teeth they desire.

Read more about whitening in the dentist's office: Are Today’s Consumers Over-Whitening Their Teeth?

Filed Under: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Videos Tagged With: cosmetic dentist, teeth bleaching, teeth whitening, white teeth, whiteners, whitening

Tooth Whitening and Cosmetic Dentistry Don’t Always Go Hand in Hand

January 29, 2008 By Julie Frey 1 Comment

Tooth Bleaching Not Always a Gateway to More Cosmetic Dental Work

tooth bleaching and cosmetic dentistry In this survey, we asked dentists what percentage of their patients who initially request tooth whitening go on to have additional cosmetic dental procedures. Two out of three dentists reported a conversion rate of less than 40%.

“Tooth whitening and cosmetic dentistry go hand in hand. 95% of my highest earning cases are cosmetic.” (Scotland dentist)
“Hype, for the average patient.” (Pennsylvania dentist who does not offer tooth whitening)
“It is the direction dentistry is going, so you either embrace the change or get left behind.” (Texas dentist)
“Whitening is not popular in blue collar neighborhoods.” (Illinois dental student)
“Maybe it’s just in my area, but there sure aren’t as many patients beating down my door for cosmetic treatments like LVI and other gurus would have you believe. The kids’ karate lessons, the cruise, and the new SUV are all way more important.” (Illinois dentist)
“Whitening opens the door to more to more cosmetic dentistry.” (New Jersey dentist)
“Tooth whitening is only temporary, and it has limitations. This has to be stressed to the patient.” (New Jersey dentist)