Ways to a Whiter, Brighter Smile

By Arthur Kezian  

Do you have teeth that are stained or look yellow? Are you self-conscious about your smile? If you answered yes to both of these questions then maybe it’s time you consider whitening your teeth. Bleaching is one of the most requested procedures in Los Angeles today. Not only does your physical appearance change after bleaching but you will notice a lot more confidence as well. It is one of the best priced procedures to help make a change to you smile. If you are looking for a beautiful smile, then bleaching can get you one step closer to it.

There are different ways to achieve a whiter smile, but all the methods fall into two categories – in office bleaching or bleaching at home. The main difference is how the products are applied or used. Both options use bleaching agents with peroxide. At-home whitening kits can contain peroxide anywhere from 3% up to 22% while in-office bleaching can contain 15% to 43%. Although the in-office bleaching is a lot stronger, it is not necessarily better. Dr. Arthur A. Kezian has been in the dental field for over thirty years and has worked with different types of bleaching procedures. He has tried every method and believes the best one for his patients is the bleaching done at home. These at-home bleaching kits include trays with gels and let you start whenever you want and stop whenever you want; it is all for your convenience.

The Procedure

The first step in getting the bleaching kit is taking impressions of your teeth. During your first appointment, a dental assistant will take impressions of your teeth using putty that will dry and take on the shape of your smile. The putty will set and your impressions will be finished. Depending on your dentist, these impressions will be sent to a lab to create your bleaching tray which looks very similar to a mouth-guard (but not as bulky). You will be given a second appointment to pick up your bleaching trays once they are ready.

At your second appointment your bleaching trays will be given to you along with instructions and a set of rules to follow. Your dental office will show you how to wear the trays and how to apply the gel. There are different brands for whitening kits and the brand used at Dr. Kezian’s office is the Philips Zoom! If you are using the Philips Zoom kit, you will see a difference in one day, but have to bleach for about 5 days to get to a desired shade of white. There are day kits as well as night kits with a higher percent of peroxide. The night kits are usually recommended for first-time users. The trays are to be worn five nights in a row to see a dramatic difference.

Although getting a Hollywood smile through bleaching seems effortless, sometimes it can be a little difficult. Depending on your body, you may experience sensitivity due to the bleaching. If you notice a lot of sensitivity, you can start bleaching your teeth every other night rather than every night. Giving yourself a break from the whitening would help ease the sensitivity. Amongst this, there are other ways to decrease sensitivity, like using Sensodyne as your toothpaste while you are bleaching. This toothpaste will relieve tooth pain due to sensitivity. You are also advised to stay away from citrus foods and drinks during bleaching to prevent sensitivity.

For other tips about using bleaching trays, feel free to contact Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS and staff. They will be more than happy to help answer all your questions about bleaching. If you are ready to start, make an appointment today! You can be five days away from brighter, whiter teeth!

Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777 http://www.drkezian.com
 

-N.S.

Teeth Whitening: Your Path to a Sparkling Smile

By Arthur Kezian

As time passes, your teeth tend to turn yellow due to the mineral structure of them. Along with yellowing, teeth also get stained because the enamel is porous in nature. Your teeth stain most if you are a heavy smoker, drink a lot of coffee, tea soda, and red wine, or even acidic dressings like soy sauce or vinegar. Although all these stain the teeth, there is no need to worry. Nowadays, teeth can be polished clean and can be whitened as well. Getting a treatment for teeth whitening is very simple especially at Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS. This dentist is a well known professional and is experienced in the field of dental care.

Advantages of Teeth Whitening:

• Dr. Kezian prefers bleaching trays over laser treatments as a whitening option.
• Bleach trays are beneficial as they save you time, money, and also keep you at the comfort of your own home.
• Whitening at home can be very simple even for those with a hectic lifestyle.
• With bleach trays you can start whenever you would like and stop whenever you would like. This means you get to pick the shade you desire. If you are content with the shade, you can stop your whitening and touch-up every now and then.
• You can see results in your teeth after the first whitening, but if you are just starting, it is recommended to whiten your teeth for 5 consecutive days. In just 5 days your teeth can be a whole shade lighter and whiter!

Disadvantages of Teeth Whitening:

• Along with many products on the market, whitening gels do have some disadvantages.
• Teeth and gums could become sensitive while you are whitening. This means drinking cold water, eating acidic things or foods containing citrus might cause you sensitivity.
• Although sensitivity is not something to look forward to, there are always ways to prevent that.

What to do when You Feel Sensitivity:

• When teeth whitening gels cause sensitivity, you can use Sensodyne toothpaste; this is the #1 recommended toothpaste for sensitivity. Sensodyne works to relieve pain that is caused by sensitive teeth.
• Staying away from citrus and acidic foods while whitening is also very helpful.
• One way to prevent sensitivity is by giving your teeth and gums a break. If you feel sensitivity, you can bleach every other day or every two days instead of every day.
• Sensitivity can also be prevented based on the amount of gel you use. Many people think the more gel they use, the quicker their teeth will whiten. But, putting too much gel in your trays can cause sensitivity as well as minor burns in your gums. Always start with a small amount of gel as a precautious step and only add more to it when you realize your teeth don't feel sensitive.

Teeth whitening can be simple and beneficial as long as you follow the guidelines given to you by your dentist. Dr. Kezian can help you with any of your whitening concerns. He and his staff are ready to give you proper instructions on whitening. If you are ready to make a change and feel like whitening your teeth can be the change you need, then contact Dr. Kezian. You will be glad you did!

Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777 http://www.drkezian.com

-N.S.

These 5 New Cosmetic Dentistry Tools Will Give You a Reason to Smile!

By Arthur Kezian

If you're working with a good dentist, you can give your smile a brand new look.  That's because new tools and techniques are coming out all the time.  All of these advances in cosmetic dentistry have created more natural-looking finished products that aren't nearly as painful or as complicated as you might think!

Some of the biggest advances in dentistry in recent years are:

1.     Teeth whitening

Ask a group of people why they're headed to a Los Angeles cosmetic dentist, and the majority of them will tell you they're going to get their teeth whitened.  There are a few different options for teeth whitening, one of them being bleach trays. This option gives you the ability to whiten your teeth at your own pace in the comfort of your own home.

 

2.     Dental implants

Another big part of dentistry is dealing with teeth that have fallen out.  Before, you had to rely on dentures.  Today, dental implants look natural and feel secure in your mouth.

What are they?

Dental implants are actually artificial tooth roots (usually made out of titanium) that are screwed into your jaw bone.  Then, your dentist installs a crown or a bridge on top.  The end result looks just like a natural tooth!

3.     The use of composite materials

Whether you need a cavity filled or you need a gap in your teeth covered up, a good dentist will use composite materials to do it.  These materials are made out of resin, so they bond securely inside your mouth.  Plus, they can be custom-blended to match your exact tooth shade.

Thanks to composite materials, you can have tons of dental work done, and no one will ever know!

4.     The use of porcelain

Want a smile like an A-list celebrity's?  A good dentist will use porcelain to do it!  Because porcelain is now being used for veneers and caps, you can cover up damaged and discolored teeth.

5.     Gum sculpting

Insecure about your "tiny teeth"?  Embarrassed by your "gummy smile"? Cosmetic dentistry has taken a giant step forward with gum sculpting.  

How does it work?

Your dentist will use a special laser to remove excess gum tissue.  It will expose more of your teeth, which will immediately make them look longer.

Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777

-N.S.