Richmond Hill Dental Design Studio

Great Dental Questions

2010-09-29T10:16:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to let all of the patients and those with dental questions following this blog that I will try and answer all questions on Friday mornings. Thanks and keep following

Dr Cisternas

How does ZOOM! Whitening Work?

2010-09-21T13:21:00.000-07:00

Q1: What is Zoom! tooth whitening?

A1: Zoom! is a bleaching process that lightens discoloration of enamel and dentin. You may have seen the Zoom! process used by me on ABC’s Extreme Makeover.

Q2: How long does Zoom! Chairside Whitening take?

A2: The complete procedure takes less than an hour. The procedure begins with a preparation period followed as little as by 45 minutes of bleaching. (A cleaning is recommended prior to the actual Zoom! whitening session.)

Q3: How does the Zoom! In-off ice system work?

A3: The Zoom! light activated whitening gel's active ingredient is Hydrogen Peroxide. As the Hydrogen Peroxide is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin, bleaching colored substances while the structure of the tooth is unchanged. The Zoom! light aids in activating the hydrogen peroxide and helps it penetrate the surface of the tooth. A study has shown that use of the Zoom! lamp increases the effectiveness of the Zoom! gel by 26% or more, giving an average improvement of up to eight shades.

Q4: What will I experience during the Zoom! In-Office Procedure?

A4: During the procedure, patients may comfortably watch television or listen to music. Individuals with a strong gag reflex or anxiety may have difficulty undergoing the entire procedure.

Q5: How long do the results last?

A5: By following some simple post whitening care instructions, your teeth will always be lighter than they were before. To keep your teeth looking their best, we recommend flossing, brushing twice daily, and occasional touch-ups with Zoom! Weekender or Nite White gel. These are professional formula products designed specifically to keep your teeth their brightest. They are available only through your dental professional.

Q6: Are there any side effects?

A6: Sensitivity during the treatment may occur with some patients. The Zoom! light generates minimal heat which is the usual source of discomfort. On rare occasions, minor tingling sensations are experienced immediately after the procedure, but always dissipate. You can also ask your dentist to supply you with anti-sensitivity toothpaste for use prior to treatment.

Q7: What causes tooth discoloration?

A7: There are many causes. The most common include aging and consumption of staining substances such as coffee, tea, colas, tobacco, red wine, etc. During tooth formation, consumption of tetracycline, certain antibiotics or excessive fluoride may also cause tooth discoloration.

Q8: Do many people whiten their teeth?

A8: More people than you might imagine. A bright sparkling smile can make a big difference for everyone. The Zoom! Chairside Whitening System makes it easier and faster than ever before.

Q9: Who may benefit from tooth whitening?

A9: Almost anyone. However, treatment may not be as effective for some as it is for others. Your dental professional can determine if you are a viable candidate for this procedure through a thorough oral exam, including a shade assessment.

Q10: Is whitening safe?

A10: Yes. Extensive research and clinical studies indicate that whitening teeth under the supervision of a dentist is safe. In fact, many dentists consider whitening the safest cosmetic dental procedure available. As with any tooth whitening product, Zoom! is not recommended for children under 13 years of age and pregnant or lactating women.

Source: www.ZOOMNOW.com

Invisalign: Advantages & Disadvantages

2010-09-20T13:20:00.000-07:00

Advantages

The most obvious advantage of the treatment is cosmetic: the aligners are completely transparent, therefore far more difficult to detect than traditional wire and bracket braces. This makes the method particularly popular among adults who want to straighten their teeth without the look of traditional metal braces, which are commonly worn by children and adolescents. In addition, the aligners are marketed as being more comfortable than braces.^[3] Due to the removable nature of the device, food can be consumed without the encumbrance of metallic braces.

Clinically, aligners avoid many of the side effects of traditional fixed appliances,^[4] for example the effects on the gums and supporting tissues.^[5] Almost all types of orthodontic treatment will cause the roots of teeth to shorten (root resorption) for most patients,^[6] and demineralisation or tooth decay occurs in up to 50% of patients^[7] because they cannot be removed for eating and cleaning, and because they prevent accurate x-rays from being taken. Patients "graduate" to a new set of aligners in their treatment series approximately every two weeks. The aligners give less force per week and less pain than do fixed appliances (traditional metal braces). Fixed appliances are adjusted approximately every six weeks and apply greater forces.^[8]

Aligners should be removed to eat, drink, to clean the teeth, or to have them checked by the clinician. Because you remove the aligners, you are not limited to what you eat. (It is acceptable to wear aligners while drinking water.) Computerized treatment planning is compulsory as part of the Invisalign protocol. As with other forms of orthodontic treatments that incorporate a computerized plan, this allows the prospective patient to review the projected smile design, learn how long the treatment is likely to take, compare different plans, and make a more educated decision about whether or not to use Invisalign.

Invisalign treatments have been claimed to be quicker than traditional orthodontics. A large-scale study of 408 patients with traditional appliances in Indiana took an average of 35.92 months with a maximum of 96 months,^[9] while Invisalign takes between 12–18 months.^[4]^[10] In a much smaller study^[11] Invisalign was shown to be faster and achieve straighter teeth than alternatives but relapsed to ultimately get similar results to the traditional appliances examined. The study was considered by the authors, however, to be too small for many conclusions to be statistically significant. Furthermore, this general concept that Invisalign is faster has been challenged by the Invisalign review which points out that there are other brace appliance systems that take half the time, for example by incorporating surgery or temporary implants that insert into the patient's bone, to accelerate the procedure.^[12]

Disadvantages

The product also has potential disadvantages: the very fact that the aligners are removable means they are not continually correcting the teeth. Unlike traditional fixed braces, they are largely dependent on a patient's habits and their consistency in wearing the aligners. The success of the Invisalign aligners is based on a patient's commitment to wear the aligners for a minimum of 20–22 hours per day, only removing them when they are eating, drinking, or brushing their teeth.

The system is also somewhat expensive, as conceded by the Align company,^[13] and can be more expensive than traditional wire and bracket systems.

The aligners must be removed before eating, an advantage and disadvantage depending upon the person. They and the teeth should be cleaned before re-inserting them afterwards.

Because the aligners are removed for eating, they could be lost. Invisalign recommends that the patient keep the previous aligners in case this happens. However, Invisalign provide two plastic containers to keep the braces in, so they are safe and can't be lost or damaged.

Certain teeth are slightly problematic for Invisalign aligners to rotate. Some lower premolars with their rounded shape can be difficult for the aligners to grasp and apply a rotational force to.

Unlike traditional braces, if a patient grinds or clenches her or his teeth during the day or while sleeping, the aligners can become damaged. In practice, however, this problem is very rare and a new aligner can be ordered. Also, similar to traditional metal braces, aligners may cause a slight lisp at the beginning of treatment. This usually disappears as the patient becomes used to the treatment.

The aligners are constructed of implantable-grade polyurethane, and the Align company has acknowledged that, though extremely rare, there may be cases of allergic and toxic sensitivity reactions to Invisalign.^[13] Minor symptoms such as sore throat, cough, and nausea have been reported. In more serious cases, the FDA has received reports of systemic swelling or throat pain that has extended to the upper chest and wind passages requiring emergency medical treatment and discontinuation of the Invisalign treatment.^{[citation needed]} While the Invisalign company provides no information except the MSDS (material safety data sheet) directly to patients or orthodontists, working through the patient's orthodontist Invisalign will make the aligners with several different materials to attempt to reduce toxic or allergic sensitivity.

Should the treatment go off track, or patients fail to keep the aligners in for the required length of time, then the next aligner in the series will not fit, and a new set of impressions and aligners will be necessary, adding to the cost.^[10]

References
^ ^a ^b Align Technology Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2007 Results
^ ^a ^b Align Technology and OrthoClear Complete Definitive Agreement
^ Invisalign corporate website. Accessed July 19, 2008
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Humber, PV. (2008), "One hundred consecutive Invisalign cases analysed", Aesthetic Dentistry Today 2(1): 36–41
^ Taylor MG, McGorray SP, Durrett S. et al. (2003), "Effect of Invisalign aligners on periodontal tissues", J Dent Res: 1483
^ Linge BO and Linge L (1983), "Apical root resorption in upper anterior teeth", J Dent Res 5(3): 173–183, doi:10.1093/ejo/5.3.17
^ Gorelick L, Geiger AM, Gwinnett AJ. (1982), "Incidence of white spot formation after bonding and banding", Am J Orthod. Feb;81(2) (2): 93–8, doi:10.1016/0002-9416(82)90032-X, PMID 6758594
^ Miller KB, (2005) "A comparison of treatment impacts between Invisalign and fixed appliance therapy during the first seven days of treatment"
^ Hsieh, Tsung-Ju; Pinskaya, Yuliya; Roberts, W. Eugene (2005), "Assessment of Orthodontic Treatment Outcomes: Early Treatment versus Late Treatment" (^{[dead link]}), Angle Orthodontist 75 (2): 162–170,PMID 15825777
^ ^a ^b Joffe, L. (2003), "Current Products and Practice Invisalign: early experiences", Journal of Orthodontics 30 (4): 348–352, doi:10.1093/ortho/30.4.348, PMID 14634176
^ ^a ^b Kuncio, Daniel et al., D.; Maganzini, A.; Shelton, C.; Freeman, K. (2006), "Invisalign and Traditional Orthodontic Treatment Postretention Outcomes Compared Using the American Board of Orthodontics Objective Grading System", Angle Orthodontist 77 (5): 864–869, doi:10.2319/100106-398.1, PMID 17685783
^ Invisalign corporate website. Accessed July 19, 2008
^ ^a ^b Align Form 10-K, Align Technology, Inc., 2006]
Further reading
Align Technology, Inc. (Apr 6, 2000). Straightening Teeth Over the Internet; Thousands of Orthodontists Use Web for First Time to Treat Patients. Press Release.
Align Technology, Inc. (Jun 20, 2006). NAD Refers OrthoClear Inc. to FTC. Press Release.
UK Invisalign Guide - Provides impartial advice on Invisalign treatments

Welcome to Richmond Hill DDS's Dental Facts

2010-09-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Richmond Hill DDS's Dental Facts! Within this site, you will find frequently asked dental questions and concerns, along with articles, and other great facts to keep you aware of your teeth.

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Contact us to schedule your consultation:
211 Richmond Hill Road
Staten Island, NY 10314
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TEL: (718) MY-TEETH | (718) 698 - 3384
FAX: (718) 989-6989