Zoom
in
office Whitening
Our in- office teeth whitening is performed by our trained staff providing safe and reliable bleaching results. The results of professionally administered in-office whitening is better because we offer higher-concentration bleaching gels that require monitoring during the whitening treatment. Our office offer Zoom as an in office whitening option for our patients.
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Prior to whitening your teeth, we prepare your teeth to clear away plaque and debris prior to treatment. In addition, a thorough dental exam will be performed to ensure optimal tooth and gum health. Pre-treatment photos may be taken to let you see the before and after changes.
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To begin treatment, a cheek retractor is used to expose the teeth. A liquid rubber dam or hardening resin is applied to the gum tissue for protection. A hydrogen peroxide bleaching gel is then applied to the teeth where it remains for 15 to 30 minutes. The gel is then cleaned off and reapplied for one or more additional periods of 15 to 30 minutes. Zoom Whitening incorporates a high-intensity light to help activate/enhance the bleaching process. Results will be visible immediately, though the full effect of treatment will not be seen for a couple days.
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Dr Le will discuss ways to maximize the whitening effect by suggesting you avoid certain foods that can cause discoloration. You may also receive a take-home whitening kit to help maintain your whitened smile.
Does Bleaching cause damage to teeth ?
No. When carbamide peroxide, the active whitening agent, contacts water, hydrogen peroxide is released which whitens the teeth. Bleaching does not soften, demineralize or weaken the teeth.
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Do Over the counter products work the same?
There is evidence that over the counter whitening products do whiten teeth. However, these products are not regulated and they can be very abrasive and cause damage to the enamel without monitoring.
Dental treatments
White fillings vs Silver Fillings​
Fillings are recommended for small to medium sized restorations. Fillings have a finite lifespan: an average of 12.8 years for amalgam and 7.8 years for composite resins. Fillings fail because of changes in the filling, tooth or the bond between them. Recurrent decay can also affect the structural integrity the original filling. Decay can still form between the tooth and filling material and is often the cause of the failed filling.
Advantages of white filling (aka composite)
1. More conservative drilling (less tooth structure needs to be removed)
2. Less chance of the tooth fracturing because the composite resin filling is bonded to the tooth giving it greater strength
3. Better esthetics (matches the color of the tooth).
Composite fillings shrink with age and may pull away from the tooth allowing leakage. If leakage is not noticed early, recurrent decay may occur (decay forming underneath the filling).
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Advantages of silver filling (aka amalgam)
1. Less expensive than composite
2. Can be done quickly in the mouth and does not need complete isolation from saliva
3. Resistant to damage with chewing and grinding
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Pediatric Dentistry
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At Westwood Family Dental, we believe that early childhood caries prevention is the first step in having a lifetime of excellent oral health and happy smiles. Dr Le is an expert in delivering dental care to children; she takes pride in her gentle approach and patience to cater to specific needs of your little ones.
Our team appreciates the trust you place in us to take care of your child’s oral health. We earn that trust every time you visit by providing your child in a friendly setting where they always feel safe and secure.
At Westwood Family Dentistry, we want to be here for all your family’s oral health needs. We offer gentle dental care for your children, and restorative and cosmetic dentistry for adults. We would love to welcome your child to our practice and look forward to meeting you.
Contact our practice today to schedule an appointment and let us be your family’s dental care provider.