Charleston dentist offers treatment to whiten with minimal risk from the convenience of home
Chances are, when you think of ways to achieve a brighter, whiter smile, a spectrum of treatments come to mind. On one end of that spectrum, you have store-bought or OTC products and whitening trays. On the other end of that spectrum, you have in-office professional whitening. The latter treatment may be marketed as “power whitening,” because the results are supposed to be dramatic (“up to eight shades!”) and the procedure is supposed to be fast (“in just one hour!”).
Dr. Andrew Greenberg’s treatment of choice combines the best of both worlds —the convenience and affordability of home products with the effectiveness and safety of professional techniques. Mouth Carolina Dentistry, PA uses professional trays prescribed by Dr. Greenberg to whiten teeth safely and effectively.
At best, those OTC products and trays are a waste of money. Improvements are probably noticed in the first couple of days of use. This could be a placebo effect, or it could be an illusion. Some toothpastes marketed as “whiteners,” for example, contain blue covarine. This chemical adheres to the tooth surface, which makes the teeth appear less yellow, but you are not getting any genuine whitening benefit. In fact, some lipsticks are designed much the same way as “whitening” cosmetics. They are merely formulated with a blue sheen that counteracts the yellow shade of the teeth.
At worst, these OTC solutions cause damage. The American Dental Association raised safety issues about store-bought bleaching, which included irritation to the gums and erosion of the tooth’s protective enamel. This damage is sometimes associated with the low pH of products that aren’t prescribed and monitored by medical professionals such as Dr. Greenberg.
Just because you opt for chairside whitening at a dentist’s office doesn’t mean you’ll get the results you want. You may be in for some nasty surprises, too. Some professional bleaching treatments are associated with tooth sensitivity, even adverse effects on the health of the soft center inside the tooth (the pulp). In-office power whitening is expensive, and any differences you may see in the look of your teeth are short-lived. To achieve a lasting result take-home trays may be recommended.
Mouth Carolina Dentistry, PA creates trays customized to fit your mouth. These trays will contain the safe solution designed to bleach your teeth. Since the trays are fit to your mouth, the solution is securely held to the teeth to assure uniform coverage for optimal whitening results. You can also get results while whitening from the convenience of your home. Trays only need to be worn for 30 minutes to an hour each day, the time it takes to watch a favorite TV show or unwind with a good book.
Only your dentist can determine if you are a good candidate for these types of treatments. Any active gingivitis, cavities, or other dental issues must be addressed before treatment to avoid further damage. Your dentist in Charleston, Dr. Andrew Greenberg, can determine if other alternatives such as veneers are best. These eggshell-thin, tooth-colored facings are designed to cover up stubborn dark or gray stains. Call (843)751 4262 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Greenberg.
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Mouth Carolina Dentistry, PA - Dr. Andrew Greenberg
Dr. Andrew Greenberg completed his Bachelor’s Degree in New Orleans, Louisiana at Tulane University. He graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine in 2009, where he portrayed excellent academic performance. He exercises his academic brilliance to the benefit of his patients every day. He grew up in a family with a dental background and showed interest in the field since his early days.
