Teeth Cleaning

A typical cleaning appointment will include a doctor’s exam wherein they will check for the decay of the teeth and issues with the gums (gingivitis). Next, the hygienist will remove plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth using an ultrasonic scaler. Unfortunately, this is something we aren’t able to do ourselves because of the required special equipment. Additionally, you will get a gritty toothpaste cleaning called a Prophy (prophylaxis cleaning), bitewing x-rays, optional fluoride treatment, and flossing.

If you take good care of your teeth at home, you may be wondering why your dentist says you need this appointment. Many dental problems may go unnoticed in their early stages. They may not cause pain or have visible signs. However, a dental prophylaxis appointment can help your dental professional diagnose these problems at an early stage! For example, it’s common not to feel pain from a cavity when it first forms. But your dentist will most likely be able to find that cavity in your prophylaxis appointment and repair it before it gets larger and causes you discomfort.

Zoom Bleaching

‘Zoom’ or “power bleaching” is a fast tooth whitening procedure. In just over an hour, your teeth will be dramatically whiter. Compared to days of using strips or wearing trays, the convenience of one-stop power bleaching makes it a perfect choice for anyone in a hurry. However, the cost, high sensitivity, and fast color regression make it less attractive.

Procedure

The Power Whitening procedure is simple. It begins with a short preparation to isolate your lips and gums. The clinician then applies the power bleach whitening gel a few times over 45 minutes to 1 hour (with or without light). A fluoride treatment completes the procedure. Take-home trays and gel are recommended afterward for maximum whitening and maintenance. We offer this option in our office for those with needs that are met best with power bleaching.

Pros: speedy procedure, considerable color change
Cons: expensive, most post-sensitivity, less user-control of the final color, needs trays afterward.

Tray Method

The tray method involves having impressions taken of your teeth, from which laboratory fabricated, custom vinyl trays are made. A gel is placed in these trays and is worn for 30 minutes, 3 hours, or overnight depending on the strength of the gel used. The entire process takes 2-4 weeks of daily use. The tray method is recommended for badly stained teeth, such as tetracycline staining. The process may take one month or more to see significant color improvement in severe cases. For continued white teeth, the trays should be used every six months to a year.

This is the method Leishman Dental prefers for its cost efficiency and effectiveness over time. 

Pros: custom fit ensures even whitening, the user controls final color, least expensive option assuming long-term maintenance, best color change.
Cons: It takes 2-4 weeks to complete the initial whitening.

Professional Strength Whitening Strips

Professional strength whitening strips are box kits only available through a dental office. The strips use the same ingredients as the gels, only in a strip/tray form. The differences between this option and the two above are fit, coverage, and strength. Whitening strips fall short in all three of these. Long-term maintenance is a concern, as well. The cost per box is less expensive, but each “touch-up” requires the purchase of another package, which can get quite expensive over time.

Pros: inexpensive initial purchase
Cons: shade change is less dramatic, purchase of more boxes for each touch-up, less predictable results using ill-fitting, non-custom strips

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