There has always been some disagreement in the dental world about this question.  Some past studies showed that high-concentration hydrogen peroxide-based products can cause increased porosity leading to demineralization and calcium loss, but results have always been inconclusive.

To read the rest of this article, click here.

“Hey Doc, can you make these white spots on my teeth go away?”  Yes we can!

The term “minimally invasive” or ”minimal intervention” has been a common phrase in the medical field for some time now.  You may have heard of minimally invasive surgical procedures, including prostate surgery, hip replacements, and heart surgery, that produce less trauma, a smaller scar, and less recovery time.  Dentistry has adopted this 21st century approach as well, with a primary emphasis on the management of tooth decay.  These principles aim to identify and eliminate the risk factors, and if surgical intervention (filling) is necessary, the goal is to restore the cavity and preserve healthy tooth structure in the process. 

This idea may also be applied to cosmetic dentistry.  With advancements in technology and materials, porcelain veneers can now be prepared with little to no removal of tooth structure and with no compromise in the aesthetic result.

Cavities are an infectious disease that require three things:  a susceptible host (tooth), the presence of bacteria, and a high sugar diet.  The process is pretty simple – Bacteria break down sugars and produce acid which attacks enamel and causes a demineralization process to occur (to read about how chewing gum can reduce demineralization, click here).  Over time, this leads to decay, which is initially seen as white spots.  You may have noticed white spots after you got your braces off – same process!  It’s difficult to clean around braces, so bacteria accumulate in these hard to brush areas creating demineralization (beginning of a cavity) of enamel and…WHITE SPOTS.

Although white spots appear most commonly with the initial onset of a cavity and after braces (same process), they can also be seen with various other conditions.  These include fluorosis, hypomineralization, hypoplasia, and overbleaching.  Fluorosis is a health condition caused by a child receiving too much fluoride during tooth development, appearing as small white opaque flecks.  Hypomineralization is a decreased mineral content of certain areas of teeth which can be caused by health problems during infancy (as permanent teeth are forming).  Hypoplasia is basically interruptions in enamel formation.  All of these conditions may respond to whitening products differently, possibly causing them to stand out more. 

No need to fear because we now have the answer!  The company GC America recently came out with a product that can not only halt this process, but reverse it as well!  MI Paste or “minimal intervention” paste is a mixture of Amorphous Calcium Phosphate (ACP) and Casein Phosphopeptide (CPP) – big words!  Basically it strengthens the teeth by replenishing calcium and phosphorous levels.  It’s like vitamins for your teeth!  By using a combination of MI Paste and a whitening product (like Deep Bleaching), these spots can either be completely removed or usually enough to where they are hardly noticeable.  

At Greystone Smile Design,  we have found that MI Paste is not only great for removing white spots, but also for reducing tooth sensitivity and protecting high risk patients from getting more cavities.  The ”minimal intervention” means we can use these mineral supplements to restore the “beginning of decay” instead of having to drill and fill.

Example Case    

This patient had numerous white spots on most of her teeth.  Through minimal intervention techniques with MI Paste and take-home bleaching, she got the smile she always wanted…with no drilling and no pain!

If you suffer from white spots, this may be the treatment for you.  Ask about it today!

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Related Links:

Greystone Smile Design

Birmingham, Alabama Teeth Whitening

Greystone Smile Design Blog

Your smile is one of the most important aspects of your appearance, and we at Greystone Smile Design offer a wide variety of cosmetic procedures.  With the birth of new technology, better materials and increased knowledge, a beautiful smile is now easily within your reach!

Are You Ready for a Smile Makeover?

What’s holding you back?

• Are there spaces between your teeth?
• Are your teeth dull, dark or stained?
• Are they crooked, misshapen or out of line?
• Do you show too much gum tissue?
• Are your gums irregularly shaped, higher on some teeth and lower on others?
• Are your teeth too small or too large?
• Are the edges of your teeth (as a group) too long or too short?
• Do your teeth slant one way or another?
• Is the midline of your two front teeth centered with your face and nose?
• Are the edges of your canines too pointy or too flat?
• Are the biting edges worn down?
• Are any of your teeth missing?
• Have your gums receded?
• Are any ugly dental fillings showing?
• Do any old or recently crowned teeth not match your natural teeth?
• Are any of your teeth that have silver fillings stained blue or gray?

If you answered YES to ANY of the above questions …

we can help improve your smile, easily and virtually pain free, with cosmetic dentistry at Greystone Smile Design.

You are a candidate for cosmetic dentistry!

Greystone Smile Design can help you achieve your dreams with a gorgeous new smile. Cosmetic dentistry is a combination of technical skill and artistic vision working seamlessly together to offer smile enhancement, restoration, and function for your optimal dental health. Using the latest techniques and the most advanced materials, we proudly offer you a stunning, natural smile and all the benefits that come with it. You will look and feel better because a beautiful smile is a healthy smile.  Visit us today for a friendly consultation.

To learn more about cosmetic procedures offered at Greystone Smile Design, visit the following links:

Deep Bleaching – a permanent, predictable way to get whiter teeth

Before and After Photos

Invisalign – the invisable way to straighten teeth

Greystone Smile Design, a new state-of-the-art dental practice in the Greystone Cosmetic Center, is scheduled to open in November.  The office will consist of cosmetic, family, and pediatric dental procedures behind the expertise of Dr. Trent Buchanan and Dr. Tom Dudney.  Services include tooth-colored fillings, teeth whitening, veneers, children’s dentistry, implants, dentures, teeth cleanings, root canals, and more.  It truly will be an office for the entire family, and that’s something to smile about!

Dr. Buchanan is one of the most aspiring young dentists in the area.  He brings a wealth of knowledge in the fields of restorative dentistry, cosmetic procedures, and emergency treatment.  Dr. Buchanan recently completed the requirements for the prestigious Fellowship Award from the Academy of General Dentistry and will be recognized for his accomplishments at the July 2010 meeting in New Orleans.  Requirements consisted of 500 hours of approved continuing dental education and successul completion of a written examination.  Of the 140,000 dentist in the United States, only approximately 13,000 have earned this impressive honor.

Dr. Dudney, the present program director for the California Center of Advanced Dental Studies, brings an impressive resume relating to cosmetic dentistry.  He has maintained a successful private practice in Alabaster for almost 30 years and was recently featured on The Rick and Bubba Show for the “Fix Mama’s Mouth – Ultimate Mother’s Day Makeover” and ABC 33/40’s Extreme Makeover.  Dr. Dudney’s patients rave about their extraordinary results, but they claim it’s his kindness and caring attitude that sets him apart.

Greystone Smile Design prides itself on impeccable affability, caring availability, and advanced technology to make going to the dentist much more pleasurable.  Below is a list of services that make this “not your average dental office”:

• Extended hours on nights and weekends for your busy schedule
• Tooth-colored fillings
• Limited warranty on all major procedures
• Flat screen TVs in each treatment room for your enjoyment
• Payment Plans to help you get the treatment you deserve
• An anesthetic reversal agent so you’re not numb all day
• Intra-oral cameras for a virtual tour of your mouth
• Invisalign to straighten teeth without braces
• A new bleaching technique that is predictable and permanent
• Digital x-rays to reduce exposure to radiation

The ultimate goal at Greystone Smile Design is optimal oral health for life and creating lasting relationships in the process.  To schedule an appointment, fill out the form above or call 205-433-9452.

Related Links:

Greystone Smile Design

Greystone Smile Design Blog

Birmingham, Alabama Cosmetic Dentistry