Q. I've seen advertisements on TV about over the counter teeth whitening products. Do they work?

A. The phrase “your results may vary” comes to mind. The short answer is yes, many can make your teeth lighter, but some don't work at all. The questions with these products are; how well do they work, how long does it take and do they last very long?

Since these products are sold and used without any supervision by a dentist they are of necessity not as strong as whitening gel used in dental offices. This means it will take longer to see results and the results may not last very long.

The other issue with over the counter whiteners is safety. These products do not come with a customized bleaching tray. This may mean that the bleaching gel could come into contact with delicate gum tissue. This can cause pain and redness.

Trays produced in a dental office are specific to your bite and therefore will fit better than other trays. And because dental office bleaching gel is typically three or more times stronger than anything you can get over the counter, the results are better, faster and last much longer.

Q. I have a mouth full of silver amalgam fillings. Amalgams contain mercury. Should I have these removed?

A. Research about mercury in amalgam fillings has to date not shown any concrete data to suggest that amalgams are harmful to your health. However, we find that most people want their fillings replaced with so called “white fillings” because they look much better.

But aside from the cosmetic appeal there are other reasons to consider having your metal fillings replaced. We all know that mercury expands and contracts depending on the temperature. That's why mercury is used in thermometers. Hot or cold foods and liquids entering the mouth can cause the tooth to get weaker and weaker because of the constant expansion and contraction of the filling. This can cause cracks in the tooth. This in turn can make it much easier for bacteria to invade the tooth root. As this continues the chances that you will need a root canal go way up.

Q. My wife suffers from migraines. Is there anything a dentist can do?

A. Yes! You may have seen Diane Sawyer discuss this on Good Morning America www.headachehope.com It's called the NTI device. It has received FDA approval and many dentists across the globe are using it to help their patients who suffer from migraine and tension headaches.

It's a small plastic appliance that your dentist fabricates right in the office. You wear it at night to reduce the intensity of night time clenching. This in turn reduces your chances of triggering a headache. Studies showed a 78% reduction in migraines with the use of the NTI. And because this treatment does not involve drugs there are no side effects. Many of our patients have called it a miracle. Ask us about it on your next visit.

Q. I've heard about having your teeth straightened without metal braces. I've had crooked teeth for years. Will this method work for me?

A. You're probably talking about Invisalign ™ Instead of the traditional metal braces the patient is fitted with a series of clear plastic aligners that rapidly move the teeth into the correct position. With this method we can achieve straight teeth in less than half the time of traditional braces. Since the aligners are clear they are nearly invisible and they can easily be removed for brushing and flossing.

You may be a candidate for Invisalign. Not everyone is. If your teeth are severely crooked you may require metal braces. We can easily determine if Invisalign will work for you.

Q. I've neglected my teeth for years. I'm afraid to go to the dentist because of the pain but I also don't want to be scolded for letting my teeth get so bad.

A. Many patients have the same concern. I can only speak for my practice – we won't belittle you or give you any finger wagging lectures. On the contrary we are very happy to see you! I think you will be amazed at how different things are today. Modern dentistry can be virtually painless and your time in the dental chair is probably less than half of what you experienced as a child. This is definitely not your father's dentistry!

Q. Is there any reason to be concerned about radiation exposure from dental x-rays?

A. The short answer is “no.” The amount of radiation you are exposed to in the dental office is microscopic when compared to what you receive from just being outside. However, we know that some people are still anxious about this so we utilize an amazing new technology that replaces traditional x-rays. It's called digital x-ray and it reduces the already low radiation dose by as much as 80%. Digital x-rays are also much clearer and more accurate than traditional x-rays. Other advantages are you won't have to spend any time waiting while the film develops (because there is no film), your x-rays can be stored in the computer indefinitely and the quality will never deteriorate.

Q. I've heard about a laser than can find cavities that regular x-rays miss. Is this true?

A. Yes. It's called a Laser Scanner. It can “see” through the tooth with much more clarity than an x-ray. It can tell us if there's any decay within the tooth so we can repair it while it's still very small. The Laser Scanner can find problems YEARS before they show up on an x-ray. This will save you time, money and reduce the need for root canals!