A Whiter, Brighter Smile

Have you seen someone with a whiter, brighter, high-impact smile and thought how fortunate they were to have such great teeth? Chances are that person has been using an "at home" whitening system to maintain their great smile. Twenty years after its introduction, teeth whitening (or stain removal), remains the most popular of all cosmetic dental procedures.

Although there are over-the-counter whitening products, home-bleaching provided and monitored by a knowledgeable cosmetic dentist, remains an effective and popular choice for many patients.

The custom forms (called trays) constructed and provided by the dentist can deliver consistent results, allow for home touch-ups over a number of years, and are convenient. They become an investment that provides an impressive, whiter brighter smile. Occasional "touch-ups" with fresh, effective material are possible at a nominal cost. The trays are custom and will remain useful for a number of years. Whitening touch-ups are also most effective following a professional dental cleaning.

In some cases, tooth whitening has been performed to complement individual porcelain veneers, crowns or other dental restorations. Touch-ups are important for maintaining the best total shading and allow a consistent natural appearance.

For patients who have experienced sensitivity while lightening teeth, there are a number of solutions. Some whitening agents have fluoride desensitizers in the material. In addition, pre-bleaching materials which limit or eliminate sensitivity are available. They usually contain neutral fluoride materials (those that are not acidic). They can be used in the same custom-fitting tray that the whitening material is placed in. They can be applied after the whitening has been performed. Sensitivity can be limited, when necessary by modifying the usage time or frequency of use.

A cosmetic dentist will know how to overcome these minor, but annoying problems. In addition, isolated sensitive areas can be treated in a simple manner to allow patients to whiten their teeth.

To learn more, and join those people with that eye-catching smile contact Dr. Robert Rosenthal, Dr. Alfred Aloi, and Dr.James B. Fine at their Dover, NJ office. Phone- 973-366-3596