What are the different oral hygiene programs offered by our office?

1. Prophylaxis (regular cleaning)

This procedure is the regular periodic cleaning of teeth with no infections at the gum and bone.

It is to remove plaque, stains and calculus (tartar) above the gum level of the teeth.

2. Periodontal Maintenance

This procedure is instituted following periodontal therapy and continues at varying intervals, determined by the clinical evaluation by the dentist, for the life of the dentition or any implant replacements.

It includes removal of the bacterial plaque and calculus from supragingival and subgingival regions, site specific scaling and root planning where indicated, and polishing the teeth. If new or recurring periodontal disease appears, additional diagnostic and treatment procedures must be considered.

3. Periodontal scaling and root planing - four or more teeth per quadrant

This procedure involves instrumentation of the crown and root surfaces of the teeth to remove plaque and calculus from these surfaces. It is indicated for patients with periodontal disease and is therapeutic, not prophylactic, in nature. Root planing is the definitive procedure designed for the removal of cementum and dentin that is rough, and/or permeated by calculus or contaminated with toxins or microorganisms. Some soft tissue removal occurs. This procedure may be used as a definitive treatment in some stages of periodontal disease and/or as a part of pre-surgical procedures in others.

The patient is numbed for this procedure

Zoom!® Teeth Whitening

A whiter, brighter smile is beautiful . Your lifestyle and the aging process can stain and darken your teeth. Many things we do on a regular basis can contribute to stained teeth, such as drinking tea,coffee, cola and red wine or using tobacco products.

Whitening can make your smile look its best. Non-professional procedures can often lead to unsatisfactory results.

Here are some tips in selecting a whitening process:

Fast and convenient
Long lasting
Low sensitivity
Proven to be safe and effective
Performed by a Dental Professional

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.

A clinical study performed by Loma Linda University on the effect of whitening gel on tooth enamel, confirmed that Zoom! is safe. The study concluded that Zoom! does not adversely affect the microhardness and surface morphology of human enamel.

A clinical study was conducted by Discus Dental to evaluate the efficacy of the Zoom! system. Fifty subjects participated in a study that showed that the average shade change with the Zoom! system is 8 shades and that the Zoom! system is safe and effective for whitening teeth rapidly. In addition, minimal sensitivity was noted during the study, with a significant number of patients reporting no sensitivity.

Zoom! News room-click here!

Ask your dentist about your whitening options .

Ask Stephen E. Stein
D.D.S., P.A.

  FAQ’s
What is tooth whitening?
Is a bleaching process that lightens discoloration and removes stains from the enamel and dentin of the teeth.

Is it true that only a dentist get my teeth their whitest?
Your dentist will examine your teeth to determine whether you have any tooth decay, unhealthy teeth or untreated cavities. Next he will make a custom-fitted tray by taking an impression of your teeth. Having a personalized tray and allows you to accomplish  ideal results.

What causes tooth discoloration?

The most common causes of tooth discoloration are aging, consumption of staining substances (teas,coffee, tobacco, colas), antibiotic (trauma, trauma) staining, excessive fluoride, and nerve degeneration.

Can I benefit from teeth whitening?
Just about anyone.  Your  dentist will decide if you are  a good candidate for the process . The process (tooth-whitening) is good if you have healthy, unrestored teeth and would like to have a whiter, brighter smile.

Can I bleach while I’m pregnant or breastfeeding ?
No testing has been done on the effects of professional tooth-whitening systems while pregnant or breastfeeding. We do not suggest that you use “Tooth Whitening System”, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding until proper testing is done.

Why are same teeth whiter than others?
The biting edges and the sides of the teeth sometimes whiten faster than the rest of the teeth. Because your enamel is thinner in these areas it responds faster to the whitening process. As you continue to use ”Tooth Whitening System”, the color will even out.

Is the process safe?
Absolutely! Research and clinical studies show that whitening teeth with carbamide peroxide , hydrogen peroxide under the supervision of your dentist is safe for teeth and gums.

Many dentists consider this form of whitening the safest cosmetic procedure available today.

Teeth Whitening

A sparkly smile has been coveted since time began. In one way or another, the quest for a bedazzling smile has been gaining popularity by leaps and bounds. In fact, over the last five years, the number of tooth whitening procedures has increased by a staggering 300%. The first and most crucial step, when embarking upon the holy grail of a sparkling smile, is to see your general dentist. Consequently, the dental industry has answered that need with a ton of different whitening options.

Extrinsic vs. Intrinsic

Your dentist must first diagnose the cause of your lackluster smile before setting upon the appropriate course of action. There are two different categories of tooth stain: extrinsic and intrinsic stains. Extrinsic stains are classified as outside agents located on the outer surface of the tooth. Intrinsic stains occur when pigmented materials are incorporated into dental tissue.

Extrinsic stains are more commonly known by the dental layperson. Certain foods, liquids and substances contain chromogenic agents that are known to stain teeth. These are tea, coffee, red wine, soda and tobacco products. Be aware that if it stains your t-shirt, it’ll stain your teeth!

Vital vs. Non-Vital

Once the cause is confirmed, your general dentist will be best equipped to prescribe the appropriate whitening product. There are two types of bleaching techniques: vital and non-vital. Vital bleaching means the discoloration is confined exclusively to the enamel. Vital bleaching can cause tooth hypersensitivity and gum irritation. Both reactions are purely temporary and vary from person to person.

Non-vital whitening is used for discolored teeth that have been root canalled (pulpless). This treatment is known as walking bleach as the hydrogen peroxide formulation will remain inside the tooth between appointments. This whitens the tooth from the inside out.

Whitening Schmitening: What’s the Difference?

Tray Whitening:

- Dentist prescribed and custom-fit
- Take-home trays
- 22% carbamide peroxide
- Nite-White®

In-Office Whitening:

- Dentist supervised
- Also known as “Power bleaching”
- 25-30% hydrogen peroxide
- Name brands (including, but not limited to):
- Zoom™

Over-the-Counter:

- No prescription needed, but most of these have limited success
- 6% hydrogen peroxide
- Name brands (including, but not limited to):
- Crest Whitestrips®
- Crest Night Effects
- Colgate® Simply White®

As with any product on the market, all directions must be followed. Abusing whitening can do serious damage to teeth. Misuse, or over-use, can wear down the enamel of teeth, thereby weakening them. A further danger of misusing whitening treatments is the blue glow that emits from teeth over-treated with whitening agents. Creepy!

Consult us to discuss the whitening option that is most appropriate for you.