Grand Dental Care Grand Rapids

FAQ's

What is In-Office Tooth Whitening
What is a Root Canal?

Q. What is In-Office Tooth whitening?
A. In-Office whitening is a process that lightens discoloration of enamel and dentin.

Q. What causes tooth discoloration?
A. There are many causes. The most common include aging and consumption of staining substances such as coffee, tea, colas, tobaccos, red wine, etc. During tooth formation, consumption of tetracycline, certain antibiotics or excess fluoride may also cause tooth discoloration.

Q. Who may benefit from tooth whitening?
A. Almost anyone. However, treatment may not be as effective for some as it is for others. Your dental professional can determine if you are a viable candidate for this procedure through a thorough oral exam, including a shade assessment.

Q. Do many people whiten their teeth?
A. More people than you might imagine. A bright, sparkling smile can make a big difference for everyone. The In-Office Whitening System makes it easier and faster that ever before.

Q. Is whitening safe?
A. Yes, extensive research and clinical studies indicate that whitening teeth under the supervision of a dentist is safe. In fact, many dentists consider whitening the safest cosmetic dental procedure available. Any tooth whitening product is not recommended for children under 13 years of age and pregnant or lactating women.

Q. How does In-Office Whitening Work?
A. The whitening gel's active ingredient is Hydrogen Peroxide. As the Hydrogen Peroxide gel is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin, bleaching colored substances while the structure of the tooth is unchanged.

Q. What does a patient experience during the Zoom!™ procedure?
A. During the procedure, patients may comfortably watch television or listen to music. Many actually fall asleep. Individuals with a strong gag reflex or anxiety may have difficulty undergoing the entire procedure.

Q. How long does In-Office Whitening take?
A. The complete procedure takes just under an hour.

Q. Are there any side effects?
A. Sensitivity during the treatments may occur with some patients. Some patients experience slight cold sensitivty for 24 hours following the procedure.

Q. How long do the results last?
A. Most often a touch-up once a year will maintain a whiter smile that sparkles for years. Practicing good oral hygiene goes a long way too!

Q. What Is A Root Canal?
A. We find that you as our patient have more curiosity in this area than in any other procedure. To satisfy your need to now, and to dispel any myths that may exist, let us give you a few brief facts.

ANATOMY LESSON FOR THE DAY: Each tooth has one or more roots. Inside each root lies a small tunnel called the Canal. Inside this canal there are nerves and blood vessels which make up the living part of the tooth we call the "pulp".

HEREIN LIES THE PROBLEM: If germs get inside the pulp, through a deep cavity or a crack in the tooth, for example, the pulp gets sick. Sometimes the same sickness arises after a tooth receives a severe hit or continually works too hard when you chew. When a pulp gets "sick" it usually hurts, or is sensitive.

Q. Is the Tooth Doomed?
A. Almost never do we have to loose a tooth with a sick pulp. Root canal therapy removes the pulp from the tooth, kills the remaining germs, and refills the empty canal with a rubbery filling material. Only in rare instances do the teeth have to be removed or retreated to conquer the infection.

Q. How do you remove the sick pulp?
A. Over 1 or 2 visits, the pulp is removed through an opening in the chewing surface of the tooth, using tiny instruments call files. Infected debris is flushed out with germicidal solution, and a medication is sealed inside the tooth until the next visit. At the potential second visit, we re-clean and fill the canals. All this is accomplished while your tooth is "numb", and we expect no discomfort.

Q. Why do you need a crown after Root Canal Therapy?
A. Remember those blood vessels that reside in healthy pulp? They are a source of continual moisture, which your tooth no longer has after Root Canal Therapy. Without moisture your tooth becomes brittle and may fracture. A crown acts to cover the tooth, preventing future loss from breakage.


		FAQ's What is In-Office Tooth Whitening What is a Root Canal? Q. What is In-Office Tooth whitening? A. In-Office whitening is a process that lightens discoloration of enamel and dentin. *Q. What causes tooth discoloration?* A. There are many causes. The most common include aging and consumption of staining substances such as coffee, tea, colas, tobaccos, red wine, etc. During tooth formation, consumption of tetracycline, certain antibiotics or excess fluoride may also cause tooth discoloration. Q. Who may benefit from tooth whitening? A. Almost anyone. However, treatment may not be as effective for some as it is for others. Your dental professional can determine if you are a viable candidate for this procedure through a thorough oral exam, including a shade assessment. *Q. Do many people whiten their teeth?* A. More people than you might imagine. A bright, sparkling smile can make a big difference for everyone. The In-Office Whitening System makes it easier and faster that ever before. *Q. Is whitening safe?* A. Yes, extensive research and clinical studies indicate that whitening teeth under the supervision of a dentist is safe. In fact, many dentists consider whitening the safest cosmetic dental procedure available. Any tooth whitening product is not recommended for children under 13 years of age and pregnant or lactating women. *Q. How does In-Office Whitening Work?* A. The whitening gel's active ingredient is Hydrogen Peroxide. As the Hydrogen Peroxide gel is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin, bleaching colored substances while the structure of the tooth is unchanged. *Q. What does a patient experience during the Zoom!™ procedure?* A. During the procedure, patients may comfortably watch television or listen to music. Many actually fall asleep. Individuals with a strong gag reflex or anxiety may have difficulty undergoing the entire procedure. *Q. How long does In-Office Whitening take?* A. The complete procedure takes just under an hour. Q. Are there any side effects? A. Sensitivity during the treatments may occur with some patients. Some patients experience slight cold sensitivty for 24 hours following the procedure. *Q. How long do the results last?* A. Most often a touch-up once a year will maintain a whiter smile that sparkles for years. Practicing good oral hygiene goes a long way too! back to top *Q. What Is A Root Canal?* A. We find that you as our patient have more curiosity in this area than in any other procedure. To satisfy your need to now, and to dispel any myths that may exist, let us give you a few brief facts. ANATOMY LESSON FOR THE DAY: Each tooth has one or more roots. Inside each root lies a small tunnel called the Canal. Inside this canal there are nerves and blood vessels which make up the living part of the tooth we call the "pulp". HEREIN LIES THE PROBLEM: If germs get inside the pulp, through a deep cavity or a crack in the tooth, for example, the pulp gets sick. Sometimes the same sickness arises after a tooth receives a severe hit or continually works too hard when you chew. When a pulp gets "sick" it usually hurts, or is sensitive. *Q. Is the Tooth Doomed?* A. Almost never do we have to loose a tooth with a sick pulp. Root canal therapy removes the pulp from the tooth, kills the remaining germs, and refills the empty canal with a rubbery filling material. Only in rare instances do the teeth have to be removed or retreated to conquer the infection. *Q. How do you remove the sick pulp?* A. Over 1 or 2 visits, the pulp is removed through an opening in the chewing surface of the tooth, using tiny instruments call files. Infected debris is flushed out with germicidal solution, and a medication is sealed inside the tooth until the next visit. At the potential second visit, we re-clean and fill the canals. All this is accomplished while your tooth is "numb", and we expect no discomfort. Q. Why do you need a crown after Root Canal Therapy? A. Remember those blood vessels that reside in healthy pulp? They are a source of continual moisture, which your tooth no longer has after Root Canal Therapy. Without moisture your tooth becomes brittle and may fracture. A crown acts to cover the tooth, preventing future loss from breakage. back to top