You spend the time and money on cosmetic dental work, and you want it to last and look great for years to come. You may have questions on how best to care for your teeth, and how to keep your oral alterations bright and white. Northbrook cosmetic dentist, Dr. Brent Engelberg will answer frequently asked questions about whitening cosmetic dental work.
FAQs on Whitening with Cosmetic Dental Work
Q1. I don’t want my porcelain veneers to look dull. Can I use a whitening toothpaste on them?
A1. While there are certainly a great many options for whitening toothpastes available at any store that carries over-the-counter dental products, you should beware. As you read the labels on toothpastes boasting germ killing compounds, tartar/plaque control, breath control, fluoride, and of course whitening, you have to think about why these claims are possible. When it comes to whitening pastes, the amount of bleaching chemicals are not designed to offer truly substantial whitening, but rather to scrape off the most recent surface stains. Baking soda or bleach enhanced dental products are generally abrasive enough to scratch your cosmetic dental work, so the stock answer to this question is that it’s not a good idea.
Q2. If a toothpaste is too abrasive for porcelain, isn’t it too abrasive for teeth?
A2. The American Dental Association (ADA) has a specific test for just this purpose. It’s called the Hefferren abrasivity test. Dental scientists use extracted teeth and expose them to neutrons. The teeth are brushed which creates something called a slurry. The slurry is exposed to radioactive phosphorous, which is measured for radiation. While this may sound like an awfully complicated process, the steps allow the ADA to gauge the potential of a toothpaste for being too abrasive for tooth enamel, porcelain veneers, composite resin, or any other restorative or cosmetic dental work. Whitening toothpastes are almost always on the top of the list in terms of having the most abrasiveness in the Hefferren abrasitivty test.
Q3. Can I get professional teeth whitening on cosmetic dental work?
A3. Whitening is technically likely to be safe for cosmetic dental veneers, bonding, or porcelain crowns just as it is with your teeth. However, the big problem is that the bleach will not actually whiten synthetic materials, so the whole procedure is pointless if you’ve had a complete set of veneers or bonding put on. If you only have some teeth veneered or bonded, the surrounding natural teeth won’t match after whitening.
Visit your Northbrook Cosmetic Dentist
You can reach our 60062 dentist office at 847-259-8030. We are happy to serve patients in Northbrook, Deerfield, Highland Park, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Vernon Hills, Lincolnshire, Libertyville, Skokie, Evanston, Palatine, Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Rolling Meadows, Northwest Chicago Suburbs, and Northern Chicago Suburbs.
