Dental Health Check with Dr. Linda Niessen
Dental health topics from Dr. Linda Niessen of Baylor College of Dentistry
Contents    |   Next     |   Previous

 Dental Bleaching

By Dr. Linda Niessen
Monday, July 16, 2007
STORY:  BLEACHING
SCRIPT #835  SHOOT:  6/11/07
AIRDATE:  Monday, July 9, 2007
DHC Master #22  Timecode:  16:15

Do you have a big event such as wedding coming up this month? Do you need a quick way to whiten your smile? News 8’s Dentist, Dr. Linda Niessen looks at two different ways to professionally bleach your teeth in today’s segment of Dental Health Check.

Teeth bleaching is fast becoming the most popular cosmetic treatment in America. There are two common ways to do it—in one appointment at the dental office or with custom-fitted trays you wear over a period of days or weeks at home.

Dentist, Dr. Lee Fitzgerald says, "The advantage of in-office whiteneing is that many times we can use a higher concentration bleach that we would not typically send home with a patient."

Any bleaching method that uses hydrogen peroxide works. Some scientific studies have shown that lasers, light and heat are unnecessary to whiten tooth enamel. 
       
"Any new step that would come up, he would always say, do you want to try this Dave. And I’d say yeah, anything just keep them white." David Campisi owns a family business of Italian restaurants. He works hard at keeping his teeth white.

"I think in a business world , it’s a necessity. It’s just hygiene," said David. David uses both office bleaching and home trays.

"I do get better results when I do come in here," he said. Dr. Fitzgerald, added, "The reason we have more in-office whiteners is because people are just reluctant to use trays, especially men."

Office bleaching costs between 500 and a 1000 dollars. Tray bleaching is less expensive — running between 300 to 500 dollars. Some dentists include trays with office bleaching and only charge one price. Office bleaching only takes one appointment. Tray bleaching requires about 7 to 14 days.

But if you’re short on time, the extra expense may be well worth the quick results. For Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A&M Health Science Center, I’m Dr. Linda Niessen, Channel 8 news.

Dr. Linda Niessen, clinical professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences and  the Office of Communications and Development at Baylor College of Dentistry, hosts Dental Health Check, the only weekly dental feature shot on location in the nation.

Contents    |   Next     |   Previous