While the technology is highly advanced, the concept is rather simple. The more clearly a dentist can see the miniscule intricacies of a tooth, the more efficient and effective the doctor will be when performing a procedure.

Drs. Coffey and Henninger, each an Encinitas cosmetic dentist with Encinitas Dental Art, recognize the benefits of microscopic dentistry and offer it to their patients.

“There’s really no comparing the level of quality one can achieve,” says Dr. Coffey, a well-known member of Encinitas cosmetic dentistry for more than 26 years. “Not only does the technology drastically enlarge the tiny size of the inside of a tooth, it can also illuminate it. I can see things now I never would have seen before with the naked eye.”

“The benefits are two-fold,” adds Dr. Henninger. “The patients feel good that their procedure has been done perfectly, but there’s also the added benefit of knowing inside myself that nothing was missed. That’s because it virtually can’t be missed.”

A root canal is a good example. The root is like a very thin, tiny straw that holds even smaller debris. The doctor’s objective is to clear away as much debris as possible. What is normally a painstaking task is made infinitely easier when enlarged many times its normal size.

“I get to see it all,” says Lorraine Carter, a patient of Encinitas Dental Art for over 10 years and fan of the Encinitas dentists. “And when the doctor shows me what he was trying to achieve, I can actually look and see that he was successful.”

“That’s the beauty of microscopic dentistry,” Dr. Coffey adds. “When we put the images of their tooth on their own ceiling monitor for them to view, patients get to see what’s going on in their tooth and it gives them a sense of confidence that they’re in good hands. It’s invaluable.”

Wouldn’t all this technology cost more for the patient? “We are competitively priced with any dentist in Encinitas,” offers Sash Bivin, on staff with Encinitas Dental Art for 20 years. “Of course there may be an Encinitas dentist with slightly lower rates, but when one compares the value, the choice becomes a very easy one to make. We’re really operating at the highest levels of Encinitas cosmetic dentistry.”

This article, part 2 of 2, explores some of the common issues and questions pertaining to having your teeth lightened through tooth bleaching therapy.

Ask the Encinitas Cosmetic Dentist: Introduction

In our previous blog post, we addressed some of the questions frequently asked by patients interested in receiving a dental teeth whitening treatment from the Encinitas cosmetic dentist. Issues such as professional whitening versus home bleaching kits were tackled in order to provide you, the readers, with a better perspective on what is best for your oral health and aesthetics. In the second installment, the Encinitas cosmetic dentist will provide some more answers to frequently asked questions concerning dental whitening.

Question 4 ~ Is tooth whitening safe, or will it damage my teeth in the long run?

Many years’ worth of research and clinical testing has been dedicated to both the long and short term impacts of tooth whitening upon the health of the teeth and gums. But, according to the Encinitas cosmetic dentist, this research has shown it to be completely safe and to have no negative effects on your oral health. If you are really concerned about the safety of tooth whitening then it is always advisable that you:

• Receive your whitening treatment directly from the Encinitas cosmetic dentist or a related qualified healthcare professional,

• Consult with the Encinitas cosmetic dentist before embarking upon a home bleaching treatment. He will want to perform a thorough clinical exam (to make sure it is cavity-free) as well as perform a professional cleaning of your mouth. This will optimize the results of the whitening treatment and minimize the risks of pain and sensitivity from developing in response to the chemical bleaching agents.

• In conjunction with the advice you get from the Encinitas cosmetic dentist, follow the directions on your home bleaching kit very closely and stop immediately should any pain or acute sensitivity develop.

Question 5 ~ What should I do if my teeth and gums become sensitive in response to the bleaching treatment?

Nowadays, the Encinitas cosmetic dentist uses bleaching gels that are well-buffered, rendering sensitivity far less of a problem to the patients receiving a dental whitening treatment. If there is any sensitivity, then it is usually in response to extreme temperatures (such as hot coffee and cold ice-cream) and is generally expected to disappear after 48 hours. If you are using a home whitening kit and sensitivity ensues, then the Encinitas cosmetic dentist recommends that you try wearing the mouthguard with the bleaching gel for shorter periods of time and use toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. You might also want to compliment your whitening treatment with a fluoride product that will help re-mineralize your teeth. This you can brush onto your teeth or wear in your mouth tray four minutes before and after your whitening treatment.

Question 6 ~ Is tooth whitening ever a bad idea for certain people?

The Encinitas cosmetic dentist will advise against tooth whitening in the event that you present with an oral bacterial infection, gum disease, cavities or aggressive teeth wear as a result of Bruxism (teeth-grinding). Pregnant and breast-feeding women are also advised by the Encinitas cosmetic dentist to avoid tooth whitening, as well as people with bleach-resistant ceramic restorations (crowns, veneers, etc.)