I am a TMJ patient who also wants white teeth. My dentist provided me with teeth whitening trays and told me to wear them an hour a day. This seems to aggravate my TMJ Disorder. I came across this system online by chance called the Tanda Pearl Ionic Teeth Whitening. Apparently, it has a light that allows you to whiten your teeth in only five minutes a day. Do you know how safe the system is? If it is safe, will this be a better option for someone with TMJ Disorder, like myself?
Patti
Dear Patti,
I am going to assume the bleaching trays your dentist provided for your teeth whitening look something like the image above and that he took an impression of your teeth to ensure they are custom-fitted. If there was never an impression taken, you may want to ask your dentist about taking the right steps, especially for a patient with TMJ Disorder.
Looking at the Tanda Pearl System, they do use a useful whitening agent, though because it is over-the-counter, it is weaker than what your dentist is likely providing you. The “special” light they provide seems to be bogus and is probably only there for psychological reasons. If it were such a breakthrough technology, they would be selling it to dental offices and making a fortune. The only reason I can think of for not doing that is so they don’t put themselves under any professional scrutiny.
The next thing that bothers me is the tray itself. This is more of a DIY tray made by you biting down on an impression. That could be okay, except for the fact that it is one single tray that you will have to constantly bite down on in order to keep it in your mouth. This will severely exacerbate your TMJ problems.
Teeth whitening is achieved by wearing the gel on your teeth. The longer you wear the gel, the faster your teeth will whiten. But, you don’t have to wear them for an hour. If that long makes your jaw ache, cut back the time. Whatever gel your dentist provides you will be stronger than anything you could get over-the-counter anyway. Wear them for half an hour, or even 15 minutes if that is what will keep you from aching.
If you are looking for something to work super fast, you may want to consider porcelain veneers. While they are more expensive than whitening, they are much more powerful and versatile as well. These don’t just whiten your teeth, but can also change anything you want about your smile, including the shape and size. They are the go-to procedure for those in Hollywood wanting a beautiful smile.
This blog is brought to you by Hoffman Estates Dentist Dr. William Becker.