Word Of Mouth – A Dental Blog

by: Trish Rubin
That’s me now that I am on TRAY two, brace 2. I have graduated and, boy
am I ever full of myself! I’m getting a bit scatterbrained too, but, I think
it’s because this process is so easy…much easier than I imagined. So when
I take my braces out briefly, I sometimes wind up scouring the apt for
them…don’t tell my dentist they weren’t in the handy case I use at
fancy restaurants, ok! And the funny thing is I have to put on my contacts to
find my braces. Thank God my kids are grown and they aren’t using them for
costume shows in the backyard! Although my 20 year old son has threatened to hide
them. ( No worries now..I’m on tray 2, that means if I lose that tray, I
still have tray in a pinch!)

I like them, really. OK I like that they are not permanent, too…and that I
feel progress real or imagined, I do.

And I’m in a club. I’ve had two social incidents this week alone where
I compared Invisalign notes as I networked. And I’m confident enough to BIG
SMILE it now, sort of proud that I am wearing them! When I saw an Invisalign
commercial last night I almost applauded…that’s me! That’s where I am
going!

It’s funny though, some people have tried to convince me I don’t need
them??!! yes…I can see myself in the mirror and in photos and on video and I
KNOW I do! But for some people it seems silly that a middle aged woman would
wear braces….DON’T LISTEN TO PEOPLE LIKE THIS! Make yourself as healthy and
comfortable and as beautiful as you want to be…and with the excellent
resources of Dr. Sorin’s practice, you can. I even wore my braces proudly
into another dentist’s office when I picked up a friend for a meeting…and
guess what…I smiled and they didn’t even see them!!! Invisable!!
Now the trick will be wearing them to speak in front of 100 people on cable TV
next week! I CAN DO IT! My support team at Health Comfort and Beauty will be
standing by me when I do… literally!

Tooth whitening or “bleaching” one’s teeth has become very common today and we have some wonderful techniques in dentistry for getting great results with our patients’ smiles. However, we still get a lot of questions regarding “the truth” about all of those products you see at the grocery and drugstores, along with questions and doubts about their effectiveness compared to in office options. We would like to take this opportunity to dispel some common myths that we hear, answer some questions, and hopefully address some of the most common problems we see in our office with regard to tooth whitening.

First of all, let’s discuss how tooth whitening works. Basically, no matter which product you choose, the bleaching chemicals penetrate into the tooth enamel and set off a chemical reaction known as oxidation. To do this, most tooth whiteners use one of two chemical agents: carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. When used in the mouth, carbamide peroxide breaks down into hydrogen peroxide and urea, with hydrogen peroxide being the active whitening ingredient. The key to how effective any product is depends on two factors: how strong the solution is, and how long the agent remains against the teeth in order to allow the oxidation process to take place. Typically, the longer you can hold it on the tooth, the closer you can keep it to the tooth and the stronger the agent, the better the results.

For the most part, the products that you can purchase at your local supermarket do exactly what they claim. The strips cover 6 to 8 teeth, and the effects will last anywhere from 6 to 12 months, with monthly touch-ups, depending upon your own personal habits. They seem very affordable, given that your short-term investment is anywhere from $20 to $50, but the concentration is not always listed on the container. So if cost is an issue, try to compare apples to apples. The problem with these systems is not so much in the products themselves.  The problem we see in our office, is that patients’ expectations can be unrealistic. Whether you’re using strips or have decided to pay a little extra for the trays, the product is not custom designed for your mouth. What does that mean? It means that unless your teeth are perfectly straight, you’re going to get spotty results. Some of the strips can be especially problematic in that they cover only 6-8 teeth, leaving you with a two-tone mouth!  When we smile, most of us show 10 to 14 teeth. This is especially true when you laugh. Most patients want that younger-looking, beautifully-white, natural-looking smile, with no stain or discoloration showing at all. The more crowded your teeth are, the more you need the custom trays that only a dentist can provide.

Also, you are probably already aware that most over-the-counter medications are weaker, by law, than prescription medications. The same is true for whitening agents. What they are allowed to sell in the grocery store is not the same strength that your dentist can provide. Why does that matter? A stronger agent will give you longer-lasting results. The whitening systems used by dentists today can get very satisfying results that last for a long time.

Another problem we see occurs when a patient decides to use an over-the-counter method before they come in for a cleaning. If you have tartar buildup on your teeth when you whiten, the agent cannot get through to the enamel, so when the tartar comes off those portions of your teeth are the same color as before you whitened. Very disappointing!  So if you are going to use an over-the-counter product, at least get your teeth cleaned immediately before-hand so that you get the best results possible. Even though the over-the-counter whitening solution is weaker than our professional brands, if you have cavities, you will increase the risk of some uncomfortable sensitivity if you don’t get them evaluated and cared for prior to bleaching. Likewise, if you have any issues with your gums, you’ll want to get that evaluated prior to whitening as well.

More and more patients these days are asking about “the light.” Some whitening systems have been developed that utilize a high-intensity light to expedite the oxidation process. In our office, we utilize the BriteSmile Whitening System , the most advanced in-office whitening system.  BriteSmile whitening gel is carefully applied to your teeth. The gel is then activated by BriteSmile’s patented gentle blue light for 20 minutes while you relax and watch TV or listen to music. This process is repeated twice more before you go home with a naturally brilliant new smile. Take-home whitening systems can be just as effective, but usually require wearing your custom trays with the bleaching solution for about 30-60 minutes per day, for 14 days. If you are looking for the most expediant method, the BriteSmile process is for you.

Finally, we offer another whitening choice for those teeth that are badly discolored or are very gray; Power Bleaching consists of an in-office application of whitening agent, use of the tray system at home for 14 days, and a final in-office whitening application. We have found this combination to work very effectively on teeth that are very dark and have tetracycline staining.

With regard to safety, most studies show that tooth whitening is both safe and effective. If tooth sensitivity or gum irritation occur, it is best to stop using the whitening product for a few days, and then start again, but less frequently — say, every other day instead of every day — and reduce the amount of time spent with the whitening agent against your teeth.

These are the most common questions and concerns raised by our patients, but we’d love to hear from you! If you have a question or comment about specific whitening options for your teeth, please call us at 212.355.3533, or e-mail us at info@nycdmd.com.

By Trish Rubin

On the personal journey to Health, Comfort, and Beauty there are many impressionable stops to be made.  Sharing positive first impressions of the people who are part of my care is important for me .The people who make up Dr. Sorin’s family have a vital role in keeping me connected to my goal, in keeping me believing in the work of developing my dental health for a shining result, in helping me keep appointments, and helping me to follow through with my actions.

My dental condition has been managed for the last year by an amazingly caring dental hygienist…she’s my smile architect…the woman who is part construction worker and part artist, since she knows exactly how to create and support a smile that has been neglected for years. Elvie is welcoming and understanding, No judgment, only support. From her experience as a runner, she knows about working to a goal. Talk about a first impression. Meeting Elvie further connected me to care on a personal level that I needed.

With first impressions in mind, imagine me sitting in the treatment chair and I am
anxious.   The impression that was made in Dr. Sorin’s office this week was mine…the impression of my teeth…my crowded, crooked, chipped teeth that have been hiding in plain sight for years. It’s a first step along the way. Straightening out the teeth that time has pressed unattractively together over years. Some overlap, some receding. And lots of angst for me.

But along with Dr. Sorin, I am in good hands… Meet Ro, a patient care specialist in whose hands I have been placed…literally. Rose has the patience of an angel as she assists in my care, and she has the soothing demeanor necessary to take on the dental phobic, leaving her boss, Dr. Sorin free to work his magic.

My first impression is that she is confident. She is clear in explaining the procedure I will undergo as she knows it from coaching other patients through. She is empathetic I feel absolutely supported by her, and I feel that she can carry my burden of anxiety  during treatment on her delicate but strong shoulders.  Just seeing her at my side feels comforting. Her patient eye contact, voice tone, a caring pat to the arm, a needed paper towel pressed gently against the corner of your mouth. “I’m with you,” she said, not once, but many times to me in the course of the appointment. As I rested back against the chair at her suggestion, eyes on the tropical beach scene projected on the plasma TV, she kept me feeling relaxed. I felt she was with me, and …we could have passed tropical drinks to each other in an imaginary mini-break! I felt calm and cared for.  Despite my vulnerable situation, it seemed to me, I was so protected in a dental office! In my history, the words soothing, protected, safe were never part of the experience.

For those who seek the best in care, it is a gift to bestow on yourself. And I was fortunate to be in that safe place. I even was able to weather the breaking of the seal of the impressions….the hardest part for the patient since you have the feeling that you might lose filings and caps along the way! That fear summons up a lot of negative dental baggage! But no, Ro was there to coach me through that part too. She gave me confidence and held my hand. It was her job  to get me through. The results were perfect. The seals were broken on my impressions, and the bonds were made closer to my caregivers.