Birmingham Alabama Teeth Whitening &#187; Dr. Tom Dudney

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Tell Me About Over-The-Counter Whitening

trentb — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 06:38:24 +0000

What Over-the-Counter Whitening Product is Best?

We’ve covered Teeth Whitening Myths, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Chewing Gum, but now another great question arises – What is the best over-the-counter whitener and do they really work?

Bombarded by ads, commercials, and the gazillion different brands to choose from, this can be mind boggling. Then to make you go really crazy, throw in the different choices of strips, paint-on gels, or rinses. Wow!

Read on for the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth to calm your teeth whitening confusion.

Strips, Paint-On Gels, and Rinses

Teeth whitening strips are thin, flexible pieces of plastic that have been coated on one side with a thin film of hydrogen peroxide. These are typically intended to be worn for 30 minutes a day, twice a day. With paint-on gels, the whitener is applied directly onto the surface of the teeth using a brush. Once the whitener has been painted on it solidifies, therefore creating an adherent film. Among the newest whitening products available are whitening rinses. These products not only freshen breath, but also include ingredients which whiten teeth. Manufacturers say it may take 12 weeks to see results.

Do They Really Work?

Yes! On patients whose teeth are susceptible to the whitening agent, these products can work great. Teeth must be porous to accept the “bleach”, and teeth lose porosity as one ages. Which means younger people benefit the most, although older folks can get results as well (just depends on porosity). If you see no results, a trip to the dentist may be in order. Usually if the over-the-counter products show no improvements, the take-home trays and in-office techniques at the dentist may also produce the same frustrating results, since porosity is likely the issue. The only system that has proven to show predictable outcomes in these situations is the Deep Bleaching technique. If you have been told that your teeth can’t be whitened or you are not a candidate for teeth bleaching, this may be your answer!

How Do the Ingredients Differ from Those Used in the Dental Office?

At Greystone Smile Design, we use carbamide peroxide for our take-home bleaching tray method, with percentages of 10%, 15%, 20%, or 35%. Our 1 hour in-office technique consists of a 38% hydrogen peroxide and the Deep Bleaching process uses a 9% hydrogen peroxide at the first appointment, a 16% carbamide peroxide for two weeks, and a 9% or 27% hydrogen peroxide at the second appointment. Crest Whitestrips use either 6% or 10% hydrogen peroxide concentrations, which is equivalent to approximately 18% or 30% carbamide peroxide respectively. Colgate’s Simply White ® was the first paint-on product to be brought to the over-the-counter marketplace. Its formulation contains carbamide peroxide (at a concentration of 18%, which is equivalent to 6.3% hydrogen peroxide) as its bleaching agent. Two other paint-on gels worth noting: Colgate Simply White Night ® contains hydrogen peroxide (6.7%) while Crest Night Effects ® utilizes sodium percarbonate peroxide (at a concentration of 19%, which is equivalent to 5.3% hydrogen peroxide). Listerine whitening rinses contain hydrogen peroxide, however I could not find any percentages.

As you can see, the bleaching concentrations of over-the-counter products and take-home dental office products are very similar, but the real issue isn’t how much peroxide a product contains. It is how long you use a product and how well the delivery system – a tray, tape or painted film – holds the whitening agent against your teeth so it can do its job.

What is the Difference between Carbamide Peroxide and Hydrogen Peroxide?

Hydrogen peroxide is less stable, thus creating a rapid release of oxygen. As far as strength, carbamide peroxide is about a third as strong as hydrogen peroxide. In other words, a 5% hydrogen peroxide is roughly equivalent to 15% carbamide peroxide. If you’re getting an in-office bleaching, where time is limited, hydrogen peroxide is used to get the best result in a short period of time. If you’re doing a take-home bleaching used during sleep, you want a slow release of oxygen for longer duration, thus carbamide peroxide is used. Most strips use hydrogen peroxide for 30 minutes, while most paint-on gels use carbamide peroxide during sleep. Hydrogen peroxide may cause more sensitivity due to the rapid onset. Both work equally well under their designated conditions.

Advantages of Over-the-Counter?

These are much less expensive ranging from $10 – $50, readily available, and you do not have to wear trays during sleep.

Disadvantages of Over-the-Counter?

The primary drawback of the over-the-counter tooth whitening systems is that customers who use them may not be good candidates for tooth whitening, and there is no professional making sure everything works correctly. Many of the products do not list the concentration of the whitening agents or contain alternatives of varying strengths, so the consumer can not modulate the dosage to improve results or reduce sensitivity should it develop. In some cases, systems that use trays or strips may not adequately cover all the teeth, and less than desired results or irritation to the gums could occur.

The biggest issue is in the delivery system. The bleaching agent must remain in contact with the tooth for an adequate period of time for positive results to be possible. Salivating and swallowing can suck out the bleaching agent and reduce its effectiveness. Paint-on gels can be washed off and whitening rinses are not in contact with the teeth long enough to produce drastic results.

What about Whitening Pens?

You may have heard or seen the many claims of the whitening pens: “Immediate results!” These may actually work for some people, but the rapid results are mainly confined to surface stains. The active ingredient is hydrogen peroxide, usually around 10-12%. I guess you could compare this to the stain remover pens used on stained fabrics or clothes. Once again it is the delivery system that limits these from having great success.

Greystone Smile Design offers 3 tiers of teeth whitening: take-home trays, 1 hour in-office, and the “grandaddy of them all” – Deep Bleaching. If you are considering whitening your teeth, you may want to choose one of the over-the-counter methods mentioned above. If the results do not meet your expectations, we’re always here to help!

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Teeth Whitening Birmingham

trentb — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:30:11 +0000

Tell me more about Deep Bleaching!

Low Sensitivity Deep Bleaching

What You Need To Know

There is no one-visit “fast” bleaching technique today that makes teeth the very whitest they can be. The Deep Bleaching technique was developed by Dr. Rod Kurthy, combining and modifying several techniques; and is regarded as the most effective teeth whitening technique known today. Dr. Kurthy’s Evolve Dental Technologies, Inc. Deep Bleaching products have been specifically designed to be used with his Deep Bleaching Technique, achieving the renowned Deep Bleaching results, but with much less of the common sensitivity and pain associated with other bleaching gels. The Deep Bleaching technique gets teeth significantly whiter than ever. Patients who previously were unable to bleach as white as they would have liked (because of “bleaching resistant teeth” or acute sensitivity) can now bleach significantly whiter.

The first session of Deep Bleaching will start with a conditioning visit in our office, which will “condition” the teeth to absorb oxygen more readily from the bleaching gel in your at-home Deep Bleaching Trays. Do not expect any whitening from this “conditioning” first visit. Immediately following the “conditioning visit,” you will wear your Deep Bleaching Trays for 14 consecutive nights while you sleep. After the 14^th night of at-home Deep Bleaching, the final Deep Bleaching will be performed in our office and will provide additional whitening over what will have already been accomplished. The result will be WOW!

If your final appointment is longer than 14 days from your first bleaching/conditioning appointment, continue bleaching every night at home until your final Deep Bleaching visit.

Bleaching of the teeth with at-home trays is accomplished by wearing special Deep Bleaching Trays with Evolve Deep Bleaching gel in them. The trays are made of thin, clear, flexible vinyl. Most patients find these trays very comfortable to wear and sleep with. You will see that the trays fit the teeth very well, and there is a gap (reservoir) on the outer side of each tooth (except there are no reservoirs on the very last back molars). These reservoirs will hold excess bleaching gel.

You will be given a bleaching kit. This kit will include syringes of Evolve Deep Bleaching gel and teeth desensitizer. When not in daily use, bleaching gel syringes should be kept in the refrigerator (do not freeze) to extend the shelf-life and effectiveness.

Teeth Whitening Theory

Everyone’s teeth have a natural biologic limit of how white they can get. Historically, once you reach this limit, no amount of additional bleaching would whiten your teeth anymore. However, this Deep Bleaching system will extend this previous limit and allow significantly more whitening.

The special Deep Bleaching Technique of custom-made tray fabrication is one of the reasons that this style of bleaching works so well. The unique Deep Bleaching Trays allow room for excess bleaching gel, and they seal it at the gum line. Unlike Deep Bleaching Trays, most trays fabricated in dental offices do not seal the bleach at the gum line to keep the bleach in place. The bleach is sucked and washed out of the tray by the saliva very quickly, and very little depth of bleaching occurs. You may have heard that certain types of over-the-counter bleaching gels have acid in them, which may damage fillings, crowns, bondings, and the roots of teeth. The Evolve Deep Bleaching gel YOU will receive from our office has absolutely no acid whatsoever and will not damage teeth or restorations.

In addition to whitening, oxygen also deep-cleans the teeth, removing microscopic debris from between the crystals of tooth structure. During and after bleaching, these “pores” are cleansed and opened. These open pores have significant importance, which we’ll talk about later.

Directions

You will start your bleaching immediately before sleep. If you usually lie in bed watching TV before sleep, wait until you are ready to sleep before using your bleaching trays.

Just before sleep, brush your teeth immediately prior to bleaching. It is important to brush immediately before bleaching because protein from your saliva will coat your teeth within minutes after brushing and could inhibit the bleaching agent from whitening your teeth as quickly. On the first two nights of bleaching, after brushing, use the bottle of teeth desensitizer in your bleaching kit. You will use one cotton swab from the kit. These 22 swabs in the kit are to be used ONLY for application of teeth desensitizer. Carefully apply drops of the desensitizer liquid directly onto the cotton tip of the swab until it is slightly moist.

Holding your lips slightly away from your teeth, apply the desensitizer to your teeth as demonstrated to you in the dental office. Firmly rub the desensitizer into the outer surfaces of the teeth, with special emphasis near the gum line and on the biting edges of the front teeth. Spend at least a full minute rubbing the moistened swab into the teeth. Add an additional drop of desensitizer to the same swab a time or two to keep it moist during the entire application.

After rubbing the swab into the teeth, try to keep your lips and cheeks away from the teeth for 30 seconds. You won’t be able to keep your lips and cheeks totally away from your teeth, but do your best. Then rinse with water.

Squeeze a dab of bleaching gel into each reservoir on the inner side of the outer walls of the trays (except in the very last molars). We will demonstrate this for you during your conditioning visit. The gel is thick and the trays are flexible, so the gel will cause the outer rim of the tray to be pushed away from the gum line. After you put the tray in, you’ll need to gently push the tray back against the teeth to establish the seal of the tray at the gum line – this is very, very, VERY important. We will demonstrate this also.

If you’ve put too much gel in the tray, you’ll notice a significant amount of gel oozing out from under the edge of the tray when you push the tray back against your gums. Remove the excess with tissue or cotton, and next time use a little less gel. If you’ve put in too little gel, you will see some large open voids through the clear tray (little bubbles are OK) in the reservoirs not entirely filled with gel. If you see this, do NOT remove the tray. There is plenty of gel in the reservoirs to start your bleaching, but next time use a little more gel.

When you put the ideal amount of bleaching gel in the trays, after gently pushing the trays back against the teeth, you will see just the slightest bit of bleaching gel “peeking” out from under the edge of the Deep Bleaching Trays.

In the morning, after removing the trays, rinse your mouth with water. Then brush your teeth. After brushing, apply the teeth desensitizer as before.

You will only use the teeth desensitizer the first two nights of bleaching, however you will use the teeth desensitizer each and every morning after bleaching.

Clean the Deep Bleaching Trays with cotton swabs under COOL running water. Leave the trays in their case with the lid open so that the trays dry out fully before the next use.

We mentioned above how whitening cleans out the microscopic debris in the surface of the teeth. It is very important NOT to fill these areas back in with stains from food and beverages during the days you are actively bleaching. Ideally, during the 14 days of bleaching, stay away from (or at least reduce) foods that have staining tendencies and reduce smoking as much as possible. As a general rule, any food or drink that would permanently stain a white shirt would be best avoided during the active phase of bleaching.

What to Expect

You may expect some slight gum sensitivity from wearing the trays, and your teeth may feel slightly sensitive. If you should feel more than slight sensitivity on the teeth or gums, please call our office.

You may notice that your teeth start to look “funny.” They may develop white spots. The area of the teeth near the gum line may look dark (this is just because the rest of the tooth will have become so light by comparison). Or the color may look too opaque (chalky). Don’t fear. This should all even out during the week or two after bleaching is finished.

You may find that your lower teeth do not lighten as quickly as your upper teeth. This is because the lower teeth are smaller, the enamel is thinner, and the reservoirs of the tray will be smaller. Again, do not fear. If there is a noticeable difference between the upper and lower teeth when bleaching is completed, your dentist may recommend wearing the bleaching trays for another week on the lower teeth. Since the enamel of lower front teeth is much thinner than upper teeth, your lower teeth may never achieve exactly the same amount of whitening as the upper teeth, however this should not be readily noticeable.

Permanently Maintaining Your New White Tooth Color

All natural teeth darken with time. It’s normal. It is much more preferable to “maintain” the whiteness of your teeth rather than touch-up the whiteness. Waiting until your teeth darken and then touching them up is a losing proposition over time. Keeping your teeth at their maximum whiteness, not allowing them to ever darken is the only sure-fire way to have a lifetime of beautiful white teeth – FOREVER!

You should wear the Deep Bleaching Trays while you sleep, one night per month for protection against darkening. As you will find out, this is very simple, as your Deep Bleaching Trays are incredibly comfortable. Wearing the trays one night per month will keep your teeth a very stable color indefinitely. Maintenance bleaching gel kits are available in our office.

Depending on your particular teeth, to permanently “set” the color, we may recommend even more frequent wearing of the bleaching trays for 1 – 3 months after bleaching. Remember, the goal of Deep Bleaching is to have white, bright teeth forever. More frequent maintenance in the beginning will get you to this goal.

Other Important Bits of Information

Bleaching gel is very sensitive to heat. It is imperative that you NOT leave your bleaching kit with the bleaching gel in the hot car after leaving our office. Place the bleaching gel into the refrigerator when you can, and most definitely keep the gel away from heat.

If possible, do not skip nights when bleaching. We find that this slows down the whitening process.

Store your bleaching trays safely. Keep them in the case provided. Keep them away from heat – heat will distort them. Don’t leave them in the hot car. Don’t put or wash them in warm water or hot water. And keep them away from your dog. Dogs seem to think that bleaching trays are chew toys.

Most importantly, place the trays carefully in the case. When you shake the case, you should feel that the trays are loose inside the case. If they are not, and they are being bent inside or compressed against each other in the case, this will distort and totally destroy the trays.

Do not forget to bring you Deep Bleaching Trays with you to each bleaching visit. This is very Important!

We know you are going to be thrilled with your Evolve Deep Bleaching result, but only if you are able to comply with the above instructions – they are very important. If you have any problems or questions, call us right away.

*Information taken from the book Deep Bleaching – The Holy Grail of Teeth Whitening by Rod Kurthy, D.M.D.

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Is Gum Good For Your Teeth?

Which Toothpaste is Best?

trentb — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 06:37:08 +0000

The question all of us face while walking up and down the toothpaste aisle at the supermarket.

With so many options to choose from, which is best? – or are they all just as good? – or does it matter?

To read the rest of this article, click here.

Is Gum Good for Your Teeth?

trentb — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 06:32:42 +0000

Don’t tell the school teachers, but YES!

Two ways chewing gum can aid in the cleaning of teeth: 1) Gum actually mechanically cleans teeth as you chew, and 2) Gum acts to promote saliva which can decrease the bacteria, decrease acidity, and remineralize teeth.

So, let me back up – Bacteria in the mouth produces lactic acid which causes a demineralization (cavity) of enamel – and gum helps fight all three!

To read the rest of this article, click here.

Teeth Whitening Myths Uncovered

trentb — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 07:29:12 +0000

“We live in a material world, and I am a material…boy.” Thanks in part to TV, internet, billboards, and magazines, physical appearance has become the initial way to measure a person’s worth. As bad as it sounds, first impressions are based on looks, and studies show that the shape and color of a person’s teeth are qualities that receive the most attention.

With that said, teeth whitening still reigns supreme in cosmetic dentistry because it’s easy, affordable, and produces drastic results. Yet, only 15% of the population has tried it, and the misinformation on the subject is widespread. Read on for answers to your frequently asked questions, and the facts to disprove all myths.

How do my teeth get stained?

There are 2 types of stains, extrinsic (outer) and intrinsic (inner). Extrinsic stains, or surface stains, can be caused by coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco and can usually be managed by brushing, flossing, and having a professional cleaning at your required intervals. Along with teeth whitening gels supplied by your dentist, reports show that certain chewing gum and toothpaste may help eradicate these unwanted burdens. Intrinsic stains come from inside the tooth and can be caused by tetracycline or excess fluoride during tooth formation. Other culprits include aging, wear, and trauma. Intrinsic stains are more difficult to eliminate than the extrinsic, and most bleaching products only produce mediocre results. The new Deep Bleaching technique, developed by Rod Kurthy, is the only procedure known to date deliver consistent and predictable outcomes. Greystone Smile Design is proud to offer Deep Bleaching!

Can teeth get too white?

No, not really. BEFORE bleaching, many patients present with this very question, but a patient has never complained AFTER bleaching that their teeth are too white. Porcelain veneers or crowns can sometimes appear too white or too opaque, and poorly fabricated ones can appear “fake.” The reason for this is simple – they’re artificial. Natural teeth, no matter how white, can never appear “fake” – because they’re not.

What about bleaching lights and lasers?

These are supposed to cause a faster breakdown of the peroxide in the bleaching gel and release oxygen faster in order to get more substantial results. Does it really work? Many clinical studies show that there is absolutely no visible difference when using a light or laser. Most of us agree that there is probably SOMETHING going on with the lights and lasers, but it just doesn’t seem to make any practical difference.

Are there any risks with teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is extremely safe when procedures are followed as directed. The main risk and most common adverse reaction is tooth sensitivity to temperature, touch, and pressure. The is likeliest to occur with higher concentrations of take-home bleaching gels and with 1 hour in-office whitening procedures. Using a sensitivity toothpaste for 2 weeks prior to bleaching can drastically reduce tooth soreness. Deep Bleaching has its own sensitivity agents to combat this dreadful side effect. Also, patients with gum recession may be more prone to sensitive teeth during bleaching because of the exposed cementum layer of the tooth. Another caveat to look out for is gum irritation, which usually only lasts a few days.

Is bleaching ok for children?

The tooth nerve chamber is very large in children and adolescents. Because of this, they may experience an increased sensitivity and are more likely to have problems. We do not recommend tooth whitening for children.

Teeth Whitening Options at Greystone Smile Design

Professionally Dispensed Take-Home Whitening Kits - This method is the easiest, most affordable, and lets you be in control. Impressions are taken of your upper and lower teeth, and custom trays are made from the models. Place a small amount of bleaching gel in area of the trays that will sit against the front of the teeth to be whitened. Place the trays in you mouth and diligently wipe off all excess gel from your gums. Trays are to be worn overnight. In the morning, remove the trays and clean them with a toothbrush and water. Everyone’s teeth whiten at a different rate. Some people’s teeth absorb the whitening gel very well, while others are more whitening resistant. I recommend bleaching the upper teeth first so you can compare the improvement with the lower. This gives you a medium to monitor the improvement and allows you to titrate the result to your desired liking.

1 Hour In-Office Whitening - This technique is the 2nd tier and produces pearly whites in one easy appointment. The gums are protected by a resin material and the high concentration bleach is applied to the teeth in 15 minute intervals. This is usually used in combination with take-home bleaching kits for maximum results. This is great for weddings, reunions, and other special events where you need to look your best and time may be an issue.

Deep Bleaching – This is the most advanced teeth whitening technique ever developed! A 1 hour in-office visit is followed by 2 weeks of wearing specially designed trays, and is completed with another in-office appointment. This technique has proven to be permanent with little to no sensitivity. You can have beautiful white teeth and not have to give up your coffee, tea, or red wine! Visit this link for more info and to watch the video by Rod Kurthy himself.

Note: Teeth whitening gels have no effect on fillings, veneers, crowns, and bridges. Pregnant or nursing women are advised to avoid bleaching although impact on the fetus or baby is not yet known.

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Birmingham, AL Teeth Whitening

Birmingham, Alabama Family and Cosmetic Dentist

trentb — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:34:24 +0000

Greystone Smile Design is a state-of-the-art dental practice in the Greystone Cosmetic Center. The office consists of cosmetic, family, and pediatric dental procedures behind the expertise of Dr. Trent Buchanan and Dr. Tom Dudney. Services include tooth-colored fillings, teeth whitening, veneers, children’s dentistry, implants, dentures, teeth cleanings, root canals, and more. It truly is an office for the entire family, and that’s something to smile about!

Dr. Buchanan is one of the most aspiring young dentists in the area. He brings a wealth of knowledge in the fields of restorative dentistry, cosmetic procedures, and emergency treatment. Dr. Buchanan recently completed the requirements for the prestigious Fellowship Award from the Academy of General Dentistry and will be recognized for his accomplishments at the July 2010 meeting in New Orleans. Requirements consisted of 500 hours of approved continuing dental education and successul completion of a written examination. Of the 140,000 dentist in the United States, only approximately 13,000 have earned this impressive honor.

Dr. Dudney, the present program director for the California Center of Advanced Dental Studies, brings an impressive resume relating to cosmetic dentistry. He has maintained a successful private practice in Alabaster for almost 30 years and was recently featured on The Rick and Bubba Show for the “Fix Mama’s Mouth – Ultimate Mother’s Day Makeover” and ABC 33/40’s Extreme Makeover. Dr. Dudney’s patients rave about their extraordinary results, but they claim it’s his kindness and caring attitude that sets him apart.

Greystone Smile Design prides itself on impeccable affability, caring availability, and advanced technology to make going to the dentist much more pleasurable. Below is a list of services that make this “not your average dental office”:

Extended hours on nights and weekends for your busy schedule
Tooth-colored fillings
Limited warranty on all major procedures
Flat screen TVs in each treatment room for your enjoyment
Payment Plans to help you get the treatment you deserve
An anesthetic reversal agent so you’re not numb all day
Intra-oral cameras for a virtual tour of your mouth
Invisalign to straighten teeth without braces
A new bleaching technique that is predictable and permanent
Digital x-rays to reduce exposure to radiation

The ultimate goal at Greystone Smile Design is optimal oral health for life and creating lasting relationships in the process. To schedule an appointment, fill out the form above or call 205-433-9452.

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