The objective of this site is to be an informational source for the consumer about Dentistry in laymans terms.

The most popular item in today's society is white teeth, partly due to television and movie stars and their Hollywood smiles. Bleaching is the easiest and most cost effective way to whiten your teeth. Unfortunately not everyone is a candidate for bleaching. People with crowns and white fillings in their front teeth might not benefit from bleaching. Only the natural teeth will bleach and the crowns and fillings will stay the same color, the result will be spotted technicolor teeth that don't match. Also, if you have cavities the bleaching solution might cause the tooth to hurt or become sensitive. Ideally you should get a check up and a cleaning before starting to determine if you are a good candidate. If you have a lot of tarter build up, plaque or stains covering the teeth the solution will not work as well because it will not have access to the teeth.

Side effects are usually only temporary and vary from individual to individual. Sensitivity to cold during the process and a few days after the process is normal and will go away with time or fluoride treatments. Gum sensitivity is also common sometimes. White spots show up on different parts of the tooth, but as the whitening process progresses they will blend in so don't get too worried.

There are many whitening agents and toothpaste available in the stores and on TV, but they DO NOT WORK. The reason is because a special tray is made to custom fit the teeth and to hold the bleaching solution on the teeth. A correct type of peroxide based gel with the proper formulation and thickness is needed. Fortunately, your dentist can make the tray, provide the correct kind of solution, tell you if you are a good candidate and provide you with the proper supervision. Laser bleaching works faster than the normal take home kit. The lasers activate a stronger version of the bleaching solution, but the tooth gets very hot from the laser and the stong solution. In my opinion, I would not recommend laser bleaching at this time.

Before and After