Metro Dentist

                                        Dr. Marvin Mansky

1.  How does teeth whitening work? 

Teeth Whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures.  Several factors can contribute to the darkening of teeth, including age, certain foods and drinks, smoking and medication. Whitening is a process that involves placing a whitening solution on the surface of the teeth.  The whitening gel bleaches both the enamel and the underlying dentin.

  2.  How white can my teeth get? 

Bleached teeth usually whiten 6 – 10 shades, although it cannot be accurately predicted how white any individual’s teeth will whiten.  Generally teeth whiten quickly and dramatically. However, some teeth require Power Bleaching to successfully whiten.

3.  What is the difference between Zoom whitening, at-home whitening and Power Whitening? 

• a.  At-home:  Comfortable thin plastic customized trays are fabricated by the dentist and dispensed to you with a whitening gel and instructions.  With our system we recommend 2 one- half    hour sessions each day until your teeth are as white as you like or as white as they can get.  At-home whitening takes from 1-3 weeks, depending on the initial shade of teeth and length of time the trays are worn. 

 

• b. Zoom in-office whitening:  The Zoom system uses a whitening gel and a special light to speed up the whitening process.   For the most effective results it requires a 2-½ hour visit.  The first ½ hour is to prepare your mouth for whitening process.  The next 2 hours are for actually whitening your teeth.  During this time you have the option of watching a DVD or listening to music or the radio.

 

• c.  Power Whitening: For people who have special whitening needs, very gray teeth or tetracycline stained teeth, for example, a combination of in-home and in-office whitening works best. A free consultation can determine the best approach for you. 

  

4.   What if I experience sensitivity of discomfort? 

Few people may experience some degree of sensitivity. Sensitivity is usually short lived and tends to decrease as the whitening treatment progresses. Using the newly developed Prospec MI paste effectively    prevents sensitivity. 

5.   Is it OK to swallow the whitening gel? 

Yes, the whitening gel will not harm you in the quantities swallowed under normal use.

6.  How long does whitening last? Are the results permanent? 

The results are not permanent. It can last a few months to years depending on the color of your teeth, lifestyle habits and if you follow up with maintenance bleaching.  Gray teeth do not usually whiten as much or last as long although with Power Whitening we can get great good results.  For some people drinking a lot of coffee and red wine can cause the teeth to get darker sooner but with follow-up at home maintenance you can keep your teeth looking beautiful.

7.  Couldn’t I save money by making my own trays with the boil and bite technique?                                                   

Trays customized to your mouth are the most comfortable and fit better.  The whitening gel in customized dental office trays is positioned properly against the teeth. This approach is recommended by the American Dental Association as the proper technique for at-home tooth whitening.

8.  How do I store my gels once I receive them and how long is their shelf life?                                                                        

All of your gels should be stored your refrigerator; however, for best results we recommend that you let the gels come to room temperature before using them for whitening purposes.  Never freeze your syringes; and of course always protect your gels from heat and direct sunlight.  If kept under the proper conditions some gels have a shelf life of up to one year.

9. What do I do if the gel comes into contact with my eyes? 

Your whitening gels are an irritant to your mucous membranes and therefore should be kept out of contact with all body tissues except for your teeth.  If contact does occur, rinse the area with plenty of water and seek medical attention.

10. Will my fillings, crowns or other porcelain restorations whitening when I bleach my teeth? 

A color of a permanent restoration is permanent and so the color will not will not change when you teeth.  We recommend that you whiten your teeth to your desired shade prior to having new restorations placed to match your new tooth color.

11. Will your bleaching system work to treat tetracycline or minocycline discolored teeth? 

Treating tetracycline and minocycline stained teeth is possible through combining the at-home systems with the Zoom whitening system. However, it will take a much longer period of time and the degree of whiteness will be better relative to the starting point.

12. Who should not whiten their teeth? 

• a. People under the age of 14 

• b. Any person with known allergies to any component of the bleaching system. 

• c. People with large fillings or crowns in the front teeth.  Existing crowns will not whiten and some fillings may whiten.   However, if you are willing to remake existing crowns or fillings in your smile line, they can be made    to match the newly whitened teeth.

• d. People with decay and periodontal/gum disease should avoid whitening until those problems are corrected.

• e. Pregnant and nursing women should not use this product.

• f.  People with heavy stain or plaque or tartar buildups should wait until the teeth are cleaned first. 

Dr. Marvin Mansky is a long-time and well-known Upper West Side NY dentist.  He originally whitened his own teeth in 1988 when teeth whitening first became possible.  He occasionally touches them up and loves having white teeth. 

Dr. Mansky practice is located at 164 West 96th street New York, NY 10025 and he can be reach at 212-749-0600.

You can view this and other articles from  Dr. Mansky’s by visiting his website at www.personaldentistry.com