Before the Bridal Pearls, Don't Forget Those Pearly Whites!
by Jillian Hussin

GAINESVILLE— Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. And now, something white too.

Every bride wants that red-carpet smile as she takes her stroll down the aisle. But with the extreme expenses of a wedding, teeth whitening may seem out of reach.

With the advancements of today’s research and medical fields, the smorgasbord of teeth whitening possibilities are endless.
Ranging from in-office whitening to at-home processes, each bride can choose her road to whitening.

The least expensive and familiar methods are the products that can be purchased at the store, including Crest Whitestrips, whitening toothpaste and brush-on whitener.

"The newest product is in the dental office, it’s pretty much done in one visit, about an hour long," said Dr. Ingvar Magnusson, an oral biology professor and director of the periodontal research center at the University of Florida’s College of Dentistry, in reference to laser whitening.

Chair-side whitening is a rapid and efficient process, said Dr. Amer A. Abu-Hanna, an assistant professor in the department of operative dentistry at UF’s College of Dentistry. After assessing your staining, the dental professional places a rubber damn over your gums to isolate your teeth from the bleach. Then, the bleaching paste is applied.

The paste is either activated upon contact with the tooth, or the professional will shine a high-intensity lamp on your teeth for roughly an hour, Abu-Hanna said.

Dental professionals also prescribe heavily concentrated bleach as an alternative to in-office whitening and over the counter products. Users place the bleaching gel inside of a custom-made tray that fits over their teeth and wear it at home for approximately two weeks.

Abu-Hanna recommends that those interested in whitening their teeth visit their dentist to have the staining on their teeth evaluated prior to beginning any bleaching procedure.

"There are several types of stains," Abu-Hanna said. "Some will bleach very well and others will bleach very poorly. It depends on if the stain is extrinsic or intrinsic."

Extrinsic stains tend to bleach with minimal resistance and result after heavy consumption of dark liquids, such as cola drinks and red wine, or from smoking.

Intrinsic stains include discolorations due to aging or medicine such as tetracycline and stains caused by an abundance of fluoride swallowed in the years during tooth development.

"Intrinsic stains are very difficult to remove," Abu-Hanna said. "We have much more success with natural staining due to age and the extrinsic stains."

Abu-Hanna also recommends having the security of your fillings examined before bleaching. Exposing a cavity to the bleaching agents will increase your chance of experiencing sensitivity.

"As a guideline, those with fillings or crowns in their front teeth should be warned that since the product used in their fillings or crowns is artificial, it may bleach differently than the natural tooth," Magnusson said.

As you choose from the various methods, you should base your personal decision on the type of staining you have, the urgency of reaching optimal results and the amount you are willing to spend.

If you are in search of instant gratification or have stubborn stains on your teeth, chair-side or laser whitening might a suitable method.

"In terms of laser whitening, there is a wide range of prices," Abu-Hanna said. "The cost ranges from around $400 to $800, even up to $1,000 for both arches."

The price variance is due to the region of the country in which you receive the treatment. In-office whitening is much more costly in high-profile areas, such as Los Angeles, Abu-Hanna said.

"The over-the-counter methods generally cost $30 for the entire course of treatment compared to the bleaching trays from your dentist that cost roughly $500," said Dr. Katherine Karpinia, an assistant professor of periodontology at UF’s College of Dentistry.

"The whitening products that you can get over the counter may work best for younger brides," Karpinia said, in reference to natural stains due to aging.

Magnusson advises his patients to choose a technique that secures the bleach on your teeth for an extended amount of time, steering away from the paint-on whiteners that wash away with your saliva.

The magical bleaching agents that you should look for in any bleaching product vary between hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide, depending on the product.

"With whitening itself, there are very little long-term side effects," Karpinia said. "Hydrogen peroxide is considered to be very safe."

For optimal results using at-home methods, look for approximately 7 percent hydrogen peroxide and roughly 24 percent carbamide peroxide in bleaching agents.

With increasing concentration the chance of possible side effects also increases. Your teeth may become more sensitive to extreme temperatures for a day or two.

If you have hypersensitive teeth prior to the whitening process, the bleach may cause your gums to recede and expose the root, increasing possible sensitivity, Magnusson said.

Each individual experiences a unique reaction when bleaching their teeth, and some patients don’t encounter lingering sensitivity at all, Abu-Hanna said.

Recent research has shown that your marriage won’t outlive your bright, wedding-day smile.

Studies have revealed that once patients have completed their bleaching procedure, their teeth experience very little regression back to their original shade, Abu-Hanna said. In turn, the upkeep for each individual patient is their own prerogative.

"After six months, you may want to re-whiten depending on your individual exposure to stains and your own preference in the whiteness of your teeth," Magnusson said.

Hopefully every bride follows the traditional wedding-day dress code. But as the wedding bells start to ring, you can smile just knowing that your new dress isn’t the only bright-white accessory accompanying you down the aisle.