White Teeth: Stat

It’s Gloomy to Glamorous, Instantly!

No, this is not a myth; if you have an hour to spare, prepare to be impressed. New techniques being offered in your dentist’s office will whiten your teeth and give your appearance the boost it needs, in no time.

Not surprisingly, teeth whitening applications are the most commonly requested cosmetic dentistry procedure; since our teeth are porous, many substances (coffee, tea, soda, red wine, etc.) can be absorbed, giving them an unsavory hue. Smoker’s teeth could become permanently stained, and certain medications and/or illnesses can also discolor teeth. If you feel that your teeth are beyond help, don’t despair – the latest technology makes the transition easy, and you can listen to music or watch TV to boot!

“I scheduled my appointment during “General Hospital” so the drama would take my mind off sitting in the dentist chair,” confessed Tracy, a happy patient eager to tell me her story. “Your lips and gums are protected and they smear the gel on your teeth a few times over the hour,” she continued. “And the laser just lit up my teeth.” Though you must be patient and sit still for an hour while the laser works its magic, it’s worth the wait. “I came into the office with yellow teeth, and in just an hour, they’re whiter than ever!” Being able to watch her soap was definitely an added bonus.

Her dentist suggested that they make molds of her upper and lower teeth, to maintain the whiteness with follow-up care. “About once a week, I’m supposed to put the whitening gel inside the mold and then sleep with them on,” Tracy explained. I asked if brightening her smile was that important to her. “A small inconvenience for such a dazzling outcome? Absolutely!”