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The best type of whitening for your smile depends on what you are hoping to accomplish.

Whitening Toothpastes

This is certainly the easiest method of whitening, but will brushing alone produce your whitest smile? Probably not. Whitening toothpastes use chemicals and abrasives to remove some surface stains caused by foods, beverages and smoking. They can also be used to maintain the appearance of your teeth after a professional whitening. However, toothpaste alone cannot change the natural color of your teeth or penetrate the surface of the tooth to remove deeper stains. A whitening toothpaste usually takes several weeks to produce results. Be sure to choose a product with a seal of approval from a reputable dental association and carefully follow the instructions for use.

Whitening Strips and Gel Trays

Whitening gels can be applied at home with strips or tray kits. These peroxide-based gels are stronger than the formulas used in toothpaste.

Strips come coated with the whitening gel and work when pressed to your teeth for a specified amount of time. One difficulty here is making sure each tooth is completely covered by the strip so that even whitening takes place. Tray and gel whitening systems provide a mouthguard-like appliance that is filled with whitening gel and applied to your teeth, again for a specific period of time. Because one size does not fit all, stock trays can be ill fitting and lead to problems with gums and soft tissue. You can talk to our team about a custom-fitted appliance and whether gel whitening is your best option.

Some users find gel products cause tooth and gum sensitivity and even enamel damage. These over-the-counter gel products will not work on caps, veneers, crowns, or bridges, and there might be underlying conditions in your natural teeth that will make the use of these products ineffective. Please talk to us at your next visit to our Plaistow, New Hampshire office if you are interested in whitening at home, so we can advise you on how to achieve the best and safest outcome.

Office Treatment

Professional whitening makes use of a gel with a higher concentration of peroxide and should only be provided by Dr. Melissa Newman or a member of our team at our Plaistow, New Hampshire office. This process is generally faster, more effective and longer lasting. We take care first to examine your teeth for pre-existing conditions such as cavities and gum disease that could cause problems. We protect your gums when the gel is applied in office and monitor the procedure. We can assess the progress of the whitening and suggest further treatment if needed. Custom mouthpieces can also be an option if you would like to use a whitening gel at home. A personally molded tray will fit your teeth perfectly and allow a more precise application of the peroxide gel.

Some teeth are not good candidates for normal whitening procedures at home or in office. If you have dark stains caused by trauma, drugs such as tetracycline, discoloration due to root canals, or darker dental bonding, crowns, or other prosthetics, please talk to us about other possible solutions. We want to help you achieve your brightest possible smile.

Hello from Princeton Restorative and Implant Dentistry! Our Hygienist, Amy Napoli, and Office Manager, Jeannie Barreiro share the latest office updates with you.

The entire team is very anxious to return to work and are looking forward to seeing all of our patients again soon. We are monitoring the crisis daily and will notify you when we are ready to open! Our doctors and entire staff are still available to assist you. Please call 609-924-7910 and when prompted, leave a message. We will return your call as soon as possible. If you have a true dental emergency, please contact Dr. Hudis at 609-575-6182.

For cancelled appointments due to the closure, we are currently contacting patients to reschedule and will be in touch to find a convenient time for you to have your dental treatment. We are devoted to making sure you receive the dental care you have come to expect in a safe and healthy environment.

During this time, we urge our patients to remain consistent and thorough with their oral hygiene routine. Our awesome hygienist for over 20 years, Amy, has a few recommendations for you! Use the extra time at home to implement brushing and flossing routines that our otherwise busy lives may cause us to skip. Besides brushing and flossing, try to minimize foods that are high in sugar that can cause an increase in decay. Also, increase your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables to keep your immune system healthy!

While staying at home, Amy is finding more time to read, work on projects around the house, bake homemade pretzels, as well as binge some shows on Netflix! As a runner, Amy has been running daily and walking in the afternoon for a mental break. She tries to make sure to eat well and have one point of connection (usually via Facetime or Zoom) with those close to her. She is giving herself the grace to take it one day at a time.

With so many unknowns, it's easy to become anxious and overwhelmed. It's ok to slow down and acknowledge that these ranges of emotions are normal. Remember to reach out to others for connection and comfort. The team at Princeton Restorative will be ready to lend a listening ear when we can finally meet again. Hope to see you soon!

Great question. Implant-supported dentures are a great option for patients who are missing multiple teeth. Because they are secured by two or more implants to provide better support, aesthetics, and function, they make an ideal option for patients who have lost a tooth or several teeth due to anything from lack of dental care over a prolonged period of time to accidents or injuries.

The advantages of implant-supported dentures? They can improve oral function and appearance almost instantly. The implants act as an anchor, ensuring you’ll have proper chewing function for the rest of your life.

Implant-supported dentures are aesthetically pleasing, easy to maintain, and are typically more comfortable than conventional dentures because they are secure and function more like your natural teeth. Best of all, unlike with traditional dentures, there is no need to use denture adhesives.

To learn if implant supported dentures are an ideal good option for you, please call our team at Princeton Restorative & Implant Dentistry to schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Hudis at our convenient Princeton, NJ office.

Despite the extraordinary claims made for charcoal toothpaste, most dentists think that the accuracy of these claims is a very gray area. So, what is the theory behind using activated charcoal in your toothpaste?

Charcoal is in its natural form is a very porous substance. When mixed with oxidizing gases or chemicals at very high heat, the inner structure of charcoal becomes even more porous. This enables the “activated” charcoal to absorb chemicals. And activated charcoal, in fact, IS used as a treatment for certain poisons. Fans of charcoal toothpaste maintain that this same porosity enables the toothpaste to collect toxins, bacteria, and debris from the surface of your teeth, leading to a healthier mouth, fresher breath, and a whiter smile.

Sounds great! Should I buy some?

Maybe not quite yet.

• Claims that charcoal toothpastes whiten teeth more than other over the counter whiteners are difficult to prove. But even using the best charcoal product, you are getting a superficial cleaning. Because charcoal toothpaste removes stains only from the surface of the enamel, it is no match for a professional whitening.
• It’s abrasive. Harsh pastes and brushing could potentially cause thinner enamel. Thinning enamel reveals more of the darker dentin underneath, which can actually make your smile appear yellow. Abrasive pastes can be irritating for those with sensitive or compromised gum tissue. Any toothpaste you choose should never be so abrasive as to cause damage to teeth or gums.
• If you use only charcoal toothpaste, you might not get the amount of fluoride needed to protect your teeth. And no toothpaste can take the place of regular brushing, flossing, and checkups at our Plaistow, New Hampshire office.
• If you’ve seen the photos posted of charcoal enthusiasts with sooty smiles and teeth, you know brushing with charcoal toothpaste can be a messy process. You might need to take extra care to clean your mouth, teeth, and tongue after using. And your sink.

If you are still intrigued by the idea of charcoal toothpaste, Dr. Melissa Newman and our team are happy to discuss it with you. And if teeth whitening is your concern, we have some proven methods to achieve your best results—even if they don’t provide an opportunity for dramatic charcoal selfies!