Best Teeth Whitening

There is a disagreement within dentistry about the effectiveness of bleaching lights and lasers to increase the effectiveness of dentist in-office bleaching solutions.  Some dentists believe that teeth whitening is more effective with the use of light or lasers.  While other dentists believe that the effectiveness of the bleaching solution is not increased by using lights or lasers.

Different manufacturers, all promoting their own light source, claim that their light used with their bleaching solution increases the effectiveness of teeth whitening.  Bleaching lights look impressive and cost a few thousand dollars, making the set-up of a dentist in-office whitening system expensive to own and operate, increasing the cost of teeth whitening in the dentist office for the consumer.

Many recent studies show that the active ingredient in these teeth whitening solutions, peroxide, is effective without the use of a light.  These studies were done by whitening the teeth on one side of the mouth with the light, and the other side of the mouth without the light using the same whitening solution on both sides of the mouth.  The studies show that both sides of the mouth whitened equally well.  Could the promotion of bleaching lights simply be a marketing gimmick?

At Adult Dentistry of Rochester, Dr. Dulski uses a leading professional in-office teeth whitening brand that does not use a light or laser.  For the best value for your teeth whitening dollar, visit http://www.dulski.com/whiten.html.

Tags: Teeth Whitening, Dentist In-Office Teeth Bleaching, Professional Teeth Whitening, Cosmetic Dentistry

Initial Dental Exam

During your initial visit to Adult Dentistry of Rochester, Dr. Dulski wants you to understand what's included in a thorough dental examination because we believe that it is vital to be an active participant in your dental care.  When we examine your mouth, we look for signs of periodontal disease, tooth decay, and bite problems.

Periodontal disease is an infection of the gum and bone supporting the teeth causing loss of support and cavities or pockets between the gum, bone and tooth.  Since you may have no symptoms with periodontal disease, we use visual examination, a periodontal probe and X-rays to look for it.  During your exam, we look for red and swollen gums as in this example of early periodontal disease.

We also use a periodontal probe to measure the depth of the pocket from where the gums are attached to the tooth to the top of the gums.  A probe reading of more that 3 mm is a sign of periodontal disease.  And, the deeper the pocket, the greater the spread of the disease.  Sometimes gums bleed when we probe.  Bleeding is a sign of infection.  Healthy gums don't bleed.

 

X-rays also show us allot about periodontal disease.  In a healthy mouth, the bone completely covers the roots of the teeth and is even throughout the mouth.  In advanced periodontal disease, the bone level is much lower and uneven.

 During an exam, we also look for tooth decay.  Tooth decay is produced by acids which is caused by certain types of bacteria in the mouth.  The acids dissolve tooth structure and cause cavities in the tooth.  Some cavities are easy to see, but for hard to see cavities, we may use a dental explorer and X-rays.  A dental explorer sticks slightly when it contacts decayed surfaces on the top and sides of teeth.  We also use X-rays to look for cavities.  Cavities between the teeth show up as dark spots.

During your check-up, we also inspect your bite.  When you chew, a healthy mouth allows all of your teeth to  hit simultaneously, chewing muscles to contract evenly, and your jaw joint to be seated in it's proper position.  However, misaligned teeth can trap bacteria leading to periodontal disease and tooth decay.  Bite problems can also contribute to difficulties with your jaw joint, the TMJ.  It can also cause tooth grinding and clenching, resulting in the loss of enamel near the gum line.

At Adult Dentistry of Rochester, we believe that it is important to monitor the health of your mouth regularly because dental problems can grow quickly and lead to worsening infections, tooth loss, and an unattractive appearance.  For a free smile saving exam with Dr. Dulski, visit http://www.dulski.com/.

Tags: Dental Examination, Gum Disease, Periodontal Disease, Tooth Decay, TMJ Disorder, Dental X-rays

Root Canal Treatment

When tooth decay progresses beyond simple restoration with a filling, to infect the nerve of the tooth, root canal treatment is necessary to save the tooth.  The infected nerve is removed and replaced with a root canal filling, likely a rubber material gutta-percha cemented in place.

The procedure usually requires one or two appointments and is not painful once the tooth is thoroughly numbed.  After completion of the root canal, the tooth is weak and brittle, requiring a crown to restore the natural strength and beauty of the tooth.

The alternatives to root canal treatment are not favorable.  Delay in treatment often means increasing pain and swelling as the infected nerve deteriorates into a dental abscess infecting the surrounding jaw bone and face.  The tooth can be extracted and replaced with an implant crown.  This alternative is twice as expensive and time consuming than simply saving the tooth with root canal treatment.

At Adult Dentistry of Rochester, Dr. Dulski believes that the best root canal treatment is one that never need be done.  With routine X-rays and examination, tooth decay can be restored with a simple composite filling for one-tenth the cost of a root canal and crown.  To learn how Dr. Dulski can help you avoid the time and expense of complex restorative care, visit http://www.dulski.com/rootcanals.html.

Tags: Root Canals, Tooth Pain, Root Canal Treatment, Crown