Patient Instruction Manual (PIM)
Procedures- Fillings
- Crowns
- Veneers
- Splints
- Bleaching
- Root Canals
- Orthodontics
- Post-Op Care
- Root Canals
- Composites
- Splints
Dictionary
"I couldn't wait for success, so I went ahead without it."
-Jonathan Winters
Services
BLEACHING
MY CURRENT TECHNIQUE:
The bleaching process is based upon the concept of trying to extract the color from the teeth. It is NOT the same as spilling bleach on your jeans resulting in a hole. The process does not harm the teeth. The teeth and gums can become sensative from the process. We try to find the right approach to make yor teeth as comfortable as possible, completed as quickly as possible and most of all obtain an end result that will last for many years without relapse.
We use both the Crest Strips and custom trays with a bleaching gel. Usually people will choose one or the other. The process takes about 3-4 weeks but that can vary depending upon the type of stain or discoloration and actual color of the teeth.
We start people out with a milder concentration of bleaching gel and then use a stronger concentration after a couple days. Remember, the speed in color change is based upon this simple formula. The stronger the solution and the longer it is on the teeth, the faster the teeth will lighten. Of course the Crest Strips only have one concentration so there are no options with that system. The Strips don't conform to the teeth as well as custom trays.
It is okay to skip a day. If you should miss a day or not maintain regular use, your teeth will still get whiter, it just takes longer. I have had successes using the Crest Strips once a day for an hour followed by a 30% solution once a day for a half hour. I am combining two concepts and varying the concentrations and the amount of time the bleach contacts the teeth. This is using both systems together. There are a variety of ways to bleach the teeth. People try different methods and then they tell me.
Keep your custom trays clean. Rinse with water after each use. At times you may need to scrub with soap and water.
BOOSTER BLEACH:
After five years, it has been shown that the new color achieved will have changed very little. I must explain that whitening takes place in stair steps, or plateaus. Each plateau has a color range of it’s own, from dark to light. Whatever plateau you stop at, your teeth will settle at the darker end of that range, but it should not drop to a lower plateau range. You must lighten the teeth enough shades to establish a permanent color change. That means moving up enough steps to permanently stay at that new color.
Once you have attained the desired color, the best way to keep your teeth white is by doing a booster bleach. Usually, once a month you would use the Strips or the trays and gel for the neccessary amount of time.
Currently I recommend using the Crest Strips once or twice a month because they are so easy to use. Put them on anytime of the day, they do not interfere with your activities. The custom trays will give you a bigger boost though. Brush with a whitening toothpaste because it works best on teeth that have been bleached. Please note that bleaching toothpaste by itself will not cause a color change because it is not strong enough and it does not sit on the teeth long enough.
Staining foods or defects in some teeth may require you to boost them a little more frequently to maintain a color you are satisfied with. Use any method you feel the most comfortable using. Some people never bleach their teeth again, others booster bleach, while some will bleach everyday for a week, before some special event. Remember, that every time you “booster bleach”, the tooth color will move to the lighter end of the range you originally reached. You can always re-start bleaching again if you want to move to a lighter permanent shade level.
Please call if you are experiencing any pain or problems that do not resolve on their own. Most people want to rush into replacing stained or dark fillings, but I would wait until your teeth have reached a satisfactory color first. This is not true for everyone, but just as a general guideline.
One last thing about pain. Some people have very sensative teeth. The best way to correct this is to use fluoride before you bleach and after. You will have to keep the bleaching times to a minimum for comfort. Remember, the teeth and gums will be sensative at first and then the discomfort goes away.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
