A WHITER, BRIGHTER SMILE

By Dr. Maria Maranzini-Grosman

Ameans is that it may shorten the lifespan of a filling or crown. However, well prepared/fitting dental work would tend to be less affected. What then is the benefit of a professional system vs. an over-the counter system (OTC)? The main difference between the two is the concentration of the active ingredient which is carbamide peroxide in most cases. Professional systems work faster, make teeth whiter, and results tend to last longer. OTC systems are more accessible and are usually less expensive. In my opinion, the most important part of the process, no matter which system is used, is making whitening part of the dental treatment plan. For example, whitening may have no effect on specific teeth which were previously traumatized. Whitening in this situation may make the traumatized tooth/teeth more noticeable due to the increased contrast with other teeth after bleaching. Additionally, if you are planning new dental work, it may make sense to whiten the teeth before choosing a shade for your new dental restorations. The reason is that when whitening your teeth, dental restorations will not whiten with your teeth. For these reasons and many others, a discussion with your dentist may save you heartache and possibly money in the long run.