Whitening Products Open Door For Production and Profits by Tess Fyalka, Managing Editor of The New Dentist – The #1 Journal for New Dentists

A few years back, reality TV shows such as Extreme Makeover and The Swan were wildly popular among viewers who dreamed of having cosmetic surgery’s elite transform them into Angelina Jolie look-alikes in just one television season.  Individuals would volunteer to have an extreme Hollywood-style makeover or be transformed from the “ugly duckling” into a beautiful swan.

One of the most emotional scenes in the series was the moment the contestants saw their spectacular new smiles.  For dentistry, it was a turning point.  A hundred years of patient education couldn’t do what one season of Extreme Makeover did for public perception of the profession.  For the first time in dentistry’s history, patients were demanding services in droves.  The general public was finally beginning to understand and appreciate what dentistry had to offer.

The floodgates opened and seemingly overnight virtually everyone wanted a whiter and brighter smile.  Dr. Bill Dorfman, the original cosmetic dentist on Extreme Makeover, introduced the world to Zoom whitening.  Crest and Colgate brought the public at-home, low-cost whitening strips.  Since then, several products have entered the dental marketplace as demand has soared.

Today, whitening techniques are a staple in the new dentist’s practice.  There is a product to fit virtually every practitioner and every patient…

…Dr. Trenton Buchanan began using the KoR Whitening Deep Bleaching the first day he opened his practice two years ago.  This 2006 University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Dentistry grad started his practice from scratch in November 2009.  “I started using it right when I opened.  I read a lot on DentalTown and I would always read Dr. (Rod) Kurthy’s posts, (Founder of Evolve Dental and creator of KoR Whitening Deep Bleaching).  I knew I wanted that product in my practice.  I want the best technology, equipment, and materials.  And nobody around me is using it, so it helps my practice stand out.”

Dr. Buchanan has found the system achieves excellent results and patients are thrilled with their smiles, but he acknowledges that there was a learning curve in getting the best impression.  “The better the impression is the better the results will be.  The first patient that I tried it on, I took the impression six times.  I felt so bad.  I was trying to open a new office.  I was trying to learn new techniques.  I had a million other things to do.  I actually contacted Dr. Kurthy, and he took the time to email me and give me feedback on my impressions and pointers about how to improve the process.”  After overcoming the initial impression-making hurdle, Dr. Buchanan says he’s had no trouble since.

He notes that one of the best aspects of working with the KoR Bleaching is the results that tetracycline patients can achieve.  “I find that these patients that don’t want veneers but they want to do something, and they are the most compliant patients.  They follow the protocols exactly.  And they are so happy when they see the results because it changes their lives.”

He says that on occasion, patients do experience some sensitivity, but Dr. Buchanan notes that the desensitizer that comes with the product works well.  And, in some cases, the treatment protocols can be adjusted to further manage sensitivity issues. 

Since opening his practice, Dr. Buchanan says he has taken advantage of opportunities to talk on local television about Deep Bleaching.  In addition, he writes about the topic regularly on his blog.  He also advertises Deep Bleaching online and through direct mail promotions.  He finds that there is a great deal of interest, and it has set his practice apart.

Dr. Buchanan also uses the Opalescence at home whitening products for patients who are interested in brightening their smiles, but either do not need Deep Bleaching or do not want to invest the time and money in a Deep Bleaching system.  “Some people can achieve great results without Deep Bleaching, especially younger patients who may just want their smiles to be a few shades lighter.  They’ve had pretty good luck with the Crest White Strips, but they want to take it to the next level.”

Additionally, he says that the at-home products oftentimes are a good introduction to whitening for patients and can lead to greater interest in investing in Deep Bleaching down the road. 

Additions to the article:

For tetracycline stained teeth, Veneers would always be the ideal treatment.  If the patient can’t afford veneers or does not want veneers, drastic improvements can be seen with Deep Bleaching Ultra. 

The take-home tray system in our office is a step up from over-the-counter whitening methods (Crest White Strips) because the bleach can be held against the tooth for a longer period of time.  Better results will be achieved with trays.  However, if the tooth does not accept the bleach, meaning no results are seen, the only technique that works in these situations is Deep Bleaching.

Shelby County dentist Dr. Trent Buchanan of Greystone Smile Design in Birmingham, AL celebrates Labor Day in a unique way – sky diving!

Hoover-Birmingham dentist Dr. Trent Buchanan of Greystone Smile Design discusses the virtual smile makeover process from http://BirminghamVirtualSmile.com

Hoover-Birmingham dentist Dr. Trent Buchanan of Greystone Smile Design discusses oral cancer and the importance of early detection.

Dr. Trent Buchanan of Greystone Smile Design discusses the importance of dental hygiene on the local NBC13 morning show.

More videos of Dr. Trent Buchanan:

Dr. Buchanan on ABC’s ‘Talk of Alabama’ July 2010

Dr. Buchanan on ABC’s ‘Talk of Alabama’ January 2010

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Buchanan, visit Greystone Smile Design or call 205-981-7775.

To earn a Fellowship Award, a dentist must earn a minimum of 500 approved continuing dental education credits and pass a comprehensive 400-question examination.  The dentist is required to be an AGD member for three continuous years.  While attaining Fellowship is a challenge, it allows dentists to remain current with what is new in dentistry, and to incorporate the latest research techniques into their practices.

Fellows of the AGD follow a lifelong pursuit of continuing education to provide the highest quality of dental care to patients.  The award symbolizes the professional responsibility of general dentists to remain current in their profession and reminds each member of the dental profession to continue to learn new techniques for their dental practice.  These are awards, however, and should not be confused with post-graduate degrees or certification.  Every dentist who applies for the Fellowship Award has their application reviewed by the AGD Council on Dental Education to assure that the high standards of the AGD are met.

Related Links:

Trenton H. Buchanan, DMD, FAGD

Greystone Smile Design

Greystone Smile Design Blog

Watch Dr. Trent Buchanan on ABC 33/40′s “Talk of Alabama” discussing the many ways to whiten your smile! 

Related Articles:

Tell Me About Over-the-Counter Whitening

More on Deep Bleaching

Teeth Whitening Myths Revealed

Related Links:

Greystone Smile Design

Greystone Smile Design Blog

Even though we are in the business of creating beautiful smiles, it’s health and function that continue to be the primary objectives.  And even though technology has advanced and the ways of doing dentistry have changed, the ultimate goal remains the same – optimal oral health for life.  Greystone Smile Design offers all phases of dentistry, from children to adults, and from cleanings to smile makeovers.  It’s your total dental solution!  With our convenient evening and weekend appointments, it’s now easier than ever to get the smile of you dreams.  And remember, a healthy smile is a beautiful smile!

When designing Greystone Cosmetic Center, Dr. William J. Hedden definitely had the busy person in mind.  Not only can you get ”beautiful smile” checked off your to-do list, but you can also spend some time relaxing at Spa Greystone.  Or better yet, drop the kids off at the dentist and then head down to the spa – two birds with one stone!  Or maybe you want to check out the cosmetic options from Hedden Plastic Surgery or Chiropractic services from Dr. Jenni Goodson.  It’s all here and conveniently located in your own backyard!

Related Links: 

Greystone Smile Design Blog

Hoover, Alabama Dentist

Birmingham Teeth Whitening

Dr. Trent Buchanan

To learn more about Dr. Buchanan, click here.

Greystone Smile Design is a state-of-the-art dental practice in the Greystone Cosmetic Center.  The office consists 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 is 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.

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