In a study commissioned by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, nearly all respondents said a smile is an important social asset.
Ninety-six percent said an attractive smile makes a person more appealing to members of the opposite sex, and 74 percent felt an unattractive smile can hurt a person’s chances for career success. These statistics support the fact that cosmetic dentistry is more popular than ever, with teeth whitening procedures rising 300 percent in recent years.
From the thinnest over-the-counter whitening strips to quick and easy professional chair-side bleaching, smile makeover technology gets more advanced every day. For example, the new Sapphire Whitening Light, a xenon (gas-filled) arc light developed by Den-Mat Corp., has vastly improved the speed and comfort of in-office whitening.
More than 10,000 dental professionals nationwide use the Sapphire Whitening Light. According to a report in the Dental Advisor, a leading dental journal, less heat is generated from the Sapphire Light tip than other high-power curing lights, though it distributes a higher light intensity. This makes the light effective without causing the...