Tag Archives: tooth whitening

Teeth Whitening

Is Luster White At Home Teeth Whitening Safe?

I received an advertisement for a tooth whitening at home kit called Luster White At Home Teeth Whitening with a special light. It’s got a decent price. Before I use it, though, I want to make sure it is safe before I use it. Have you heard about this product before? There are some good reviews for it.

Angie

Dear Angie,

Teeth whitening trays
Teeth Whitening Trays

While there are some over-the-counter whitening kits that work, this isn’t one of them. It’s an absolute phoney. The light they have does nothing. While that is disingenuous and unethical, if the whitening part worked most patients could live with that, though they shouldn’t have to.

Unfortunately, they are not even using a valid whitening ingredient. Instead, they are using what they call a “super whitener.” In truth, their whitener is just a pigment made of zinc oxide. It will stick to the teeth and make them look whiter but fade away. This is probably why they have some good reviews. Patients saw an improved whiteness and wrote the review before the fading kicked in. The best, most cost effective way to whiten your teeth is to have professional teeth whitening done.

Having your teeth whitened will take away the stains on your teeth. If you are looking for more than just whiter teeth, like a smile makeover, than I recommend you get porcelain veneers. They can change everything about your smile, including the shape, size, and color of your teeth. Just make sure you go to a dentist who has training and experience in placing porcelain veneers so that you can ensure you go to someone who can give you a beautiful smile.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Dr. Hillary Peck.
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Lumineers

Can I Place New Lumineers Over My Old Ones?

Hi,

I got Lumineers placed on my teeth years ago, and they are not as white as I’d like them to be. I know that porcelain crowns can’t be whitened with tooth whitening or bleaching, but I was wondering about something else I could do. Is it possible to place new, whiter Lumineers over my old ones? Is it recommended? I just want my smile to be brighter.

Thank you,

Julia, from Accident, Maryland.

 

Hi Julia,

Lumineers are an ultra-thin type of porcelain veneer marketed as a no-prep procedure, meaning they are bonded directly to your tooth without any surface preparation. Your dentist should have taken your smile concerns into consideration while making your Lumineers. Not getting the color you wanted is probably a result of your dentist lacking experience in cosmetic dentistry. A true cosmetic dentist would take your aesthetic concerns as seriously as your practical ones.

Fortunately, you can get a brighter smile if you re-do your old Lumineers. Putting new ones over your current ones will not save you any time or money, and may also feel too thick when placed in your mouth. Bonding Lumineers on top of existing ones or porcelain veneer increases the risk of failure. Also, the thin margin between where the Lumineers meet would be more prone to staining than if it were placed over a natural tooth.

So to improve the whiteness and look of your smile, you should seek out a cosmetic dentist to replace your Lumineers. Cosmetic dentistry isn’t a specialty recognized by the ADA, but some dentists have received extensive post-graduate training in cosmetic and restorative dentistry, and have the experience to help your case.

Also, be open minded when seeking a new dentist for your Lumineers – not all dentists are comfortable using them, and you may find that a different type of porcelain veneer is best for you.

This blog post is brought to you by Phoenix Lumineers provider, Dr. Hillary Peck. Dr. Peck is a general dentist who has considerable experience with cosmetic and restorative dentistry.