Do you suffer from discolored, worn-out teeth? If you would like to brighten
and whiten them, turn to our cosmetic dental team at
Marc Lazare D.D.S., M.A.G.D. for a professional teeth whitening solution. Our teeth whitening treatments
are tailored to your individual needs and goals. We understand patients
want a bright, white, and healthy-looking smile to boost self-confidence
and self-esteem. That’s why our goal is to ensure we do everything
possible to create beautiful smiles through in-house professional teeth
whitening.
To ensure the health of the teeth, prophylactic treatment may be performed
to remove external stains, along with a detailed dental history, which
will allow Dr. Lazare to determine if a patient may experience sensitivity
during a whitening session. Some patients experience sensitivity during
the treatment while others may feel no sensation at all. Most discomforts
experienced usually happens after the whitening has been completed. However,
all sensitivity is expected to be gone within 24 hours of the procedure.
Other advantages of teeth whitening include safety, the ease of the procedure,
and more predictability in the aesthetic outcome. Dr. Lazare can assure
excellent results when administering a teeth whitening procedure. Results
are instantaneous and he can provide patients with an average of 8-shades
whiter teeth using the
Philips Zoom In-Office Whitening.
Laser Teeth Whitening vs. Other Traditional Methods
An analysis of laser whitening showed that it activates bleaching chemicals
in the same way as other light sources, and is not superior to any light
source that excites the molecules that will effectively lighten the teeth.
Some common methods utilize argon lasers, ion plasma lamps, and curling
lights, which are aimed at activating the peroxide into a useful bleaching
agent. If this is not accomplished, the light just acts as heat to the teeth.
At-Home Teeth Bleaching
Peroxide, in varying strengths, is the primary ingredient in the solutions
used for teeth whitening, including over-the-counter strips, at-home tray
use, and Dr. Lazare’s in-office treatment. Some patients choose
to have their teeth whitened by Dr. Lazare because the tray worn during
the home application causes a gag reflex. Others grind or clench their
teeth, which prevents proper bleaching.
Two options are available to patients who choose to pursue teeth whitening at home:
either custom-fitting trays for day or nightwear.
Patients can continue the treatment until their teeth have reached their
desired shade. Results will vary for each person as some teeth are more
resistant to whitening and others very receptive. By maintaining good
oral health, most patients find their whitening procedure lasts for two
years or longer unless whitening maintenance is performed. Patients who
smoke, or drink coffee, tea, or red wine may notice changes sooner, though
the return to the pre-whitened shade will be very gradual.
At-home bleaching from over-the-counter kits has gained recent popularity
but can create sensitivity and uneven results due to improperly fitted
trays. Crest Whitening Strips are one exception for do-it-yourself teeth
whitening, as they are formulated with an effective 5.3% hydrogen peroxide
stripe that can be molded to fit the teeth. While the product works relatively
well, the strips are clumsy and can create tooth sensitivity and will
not bleach teeth beyond the length of the strip. Additionally, certain
teeth that have undergone dental work, like composite-colored (tooth-colored)
restorations, crowns, and
veneers, will not become brighter. Root-canaled teeth will require more whitening
attention for external bleaching and may also require a dentist-only internal
bleaching solution.
Dental Exams Prior to Teeth Whitening
Whitening should never be performed on teeth where the whitening gel could
seep into open areas of decay. It is also important to be aware of root
exposure and areas of severe gum recession. If white spots or areas of
demineralization are present, the patient should be made aware before
whitening, as they temporarily become for obvious after treatment until
the tooth rehydrates.
Dr. Lazare will perform an oral exam, complete with diagnoses and treatment
plans if necessary. This approach will also help the doctor perform a
thorough whitening of all the teeth, even those which would not normally
respond to traditional methods. Many patients may not realize that their
teeth should be in good health prior to undergoing a cosmetic whitening
treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:Why do teeth turn yellow?
A:Teeth can turn yellow for a variety of reasons, including: – Aging (years of cumulative stain and the wear of the outer, white enamel layer of the teeth over time) – Heavy consumption foods and beverages that are more likely to stain (including: red wine, dark teas, coffee, vegetable juices, hot chocolate, soy sauce, etc.) – Smoking – Poor oral hygiene (which creates a thick coat of a yellowing plaque or tartar) – Heavy Grinding (which can wear away the enamel to reveal the yellower layer of tooth structure beneath) Please note that the most common cause of this yellowing is due to poor brushing, which builds up this plaque and tartar, which is more likely to hold the stain than the tooth’s enamel. Once the teeth are cleaned, the yellow often disappears. Whitening is only effective for brightening the enamel itself, and will not do anything for teeth that are not properly cleaned.
Q:Can antibiotics cause tooth discoloration?
A:Yes. Stained teeth because of antibiotic use (tetracycline-stained teeth) may take longer to be whitened, typically between 1-2 months. Still, Dr. Lazare has experienced success in these patients. Single darkened teeth will lighten over time, and a custom-made night guard for a single tooth to be treated can be made, or if it was a tooth previously treated with root canal therapy, then internal bleaching is suggested with the external bleaching.
Q:Teeth whitening cost
A:The average cost of a teeth whitening treatment in NYC range from $650 to a $1,000 or more, depending on the area in where you live and on the product being applied. Some other treatments, such a laser tooth whitening can be more expensive. Teeth whitening cost can also be financed through several flexible payment plans.
Q:Will white spots on the teeth be removed through the bleaching process?
A:No, but they will blend in with the surrounding tooth color to become less noticeable. In certain cases, the white spots may be buffed out through enamel microabrasion techniques or troughed out and restored with a composite material to help blend.
Q:Why won’t certain dental work be lightened by teeth whitening?
A:The majority of the materials used in dental care (including porcelain and composite bonding) will not be affected by the peroxide used to whiten the teeth. Bonding can always be modified to blend with the whitening results and porcelain work may need to be remade to adequately blend. Additionally, teeth with root canals may not be lightened by traditional methods and will require additional intervention treatments, such as internal bleaching.
Why Choose the Office of Dr. Marc Lazare?
State-Of-The-Art Technology
Advanced technology to take your dental care to the next level and make our environment safer for your health.
High-End & Top Quality Spa Experience
Enjoy a comfortable spa-like environment with aromatherapy, your favorite movie or music, therapeutic eye mask and top-quality care.
An Expert in Biomimetic Dentistry
We are one of the few offices in New York City to offer this revolutionary tooth conserving technique.
Services Available in English & Spanish
We are able to help our patients by communicating in the language they are most comfortable with.
Patient Reviews
Experiences & Opinions
“His approach is the only way to practice in my opinion as a patient and I am glad he is an instructor and is spreading his vision to other dentists as well as practicing it.”
- Youness
“From the minute I walk in Ilda and Ariel greet me with such a warm and enthusiastic welcome. Well, it just makes my day. Then there's Dr. Marc Lazare who sets the tone. He was so gentle and explained every step of the process so I wouldn't worry.”
- Mimi
“Great experience with this amazing staff. The hygienist Therese was very gentle and made sure I was comfortable throughout my whole visit. Dr. Lazare was very thorough with my exam.”