I don’t think I picked the best dentist to get Zoom whitening. I didn’t think there was any way to mess this up! But seriously, my teeth are ugly, maybe worse than before I went in. I thought my teeth would all be uniform in color, which is not the case. I also have these little white spots all over the place. I totally thought bleaching would take care of this and make them blend in more or get rid of them entirely, but not the case. Yesterday, I had Zoom whitening and today I look terrible. The white spots are brighter than before. The idea was to hide them, not have them emphasized. Help!
– Morgan in Tennessee
Morgan,
Oh no! It doesn’t sound like you chose the best dentist. Did you go to a general dentist or a cosmetic dentist? There is a big difference. To be an excellent cosmetic dentist requires much advanced training beyond dental school. Not every dentist does beautiful cosmetic dentistry work. But if the dentist performs Zoom in his or her practice, they should have known what was going on with your case.
The white spots you are describing are called fluorosis. This occurs when excessive amounts of fluoride were ingested while the teeth were still developing. Zoom or any teeth whitening treatment will not work for fluorosis. Zoom actually brightens your natural tooth structure which works well for the majority of patients. But for individuals with your condition, it will not work (as you know).
You now need to seek out a cosmetic dentist that is familiar in treating fluorisis. The best cosmetic dentists will be able to effectively cover the spots. But this time around, make sure you seek out the best dentist in your area by asking about their credentials in cosmetic dentistry. You also want to make sure they understand your condition and know how to treat it. Ask to see before and after images from similar cases so you don’t end up unhappy once again.
Dental bonding may work to cover up the spots and in some cases porcelain veneers may work well too. Also, discuss with an excellent cosmetic dentist exactly how white you want your smile to be once it is all said and done. This is because you need to get your teeth whitening done at this time prior to the cosmetic dentistry treatment to cover the fluorosis.
Also, keep in mind that it takes several days after teeth bleaching for the color to settle down. So once that is done, the dentist will then be able to match the bonding or veneers to your new teeth color. You can get a beautiful smile, but not just any dentist will do. Make sure you consult with the best dentist to take care of your condition.
Good luck!
This post is sponsored by York PA dentist Donald H. Currie, DMD General & Cosmetic Dentistry