Anytime a tooth is prepared for a new restoration, whether it is a tiny filling or a full crown some post op sensitvity may occur. This could be due to several reasons. 1. The tooth has a pulpitis which is normal and should improve with time. If it gets worse, lingers or becomes spontaneous then it is possible a root canal could be indicated. 2. Because temporaries are meant to be removed, they often leak or experience "micro movement." The bacteria that gets under the temp will create short term sensitivity. 3. If the bite is off then this could also cause some sensitivity. I would mention this to your dentist and if the sensitivity becomes a toothache or a swelling develops you need to be seen immediately.
Going to the dentist is the best way to achieve safe, predictable results. The in office procedures are the best as it is time efficient ( 1 visit), the most effective products can be utilized, and sensitivity and safety are most controlled. Dentist supervised at home procedures can result in very good results as well, however we have found that these procdures often resulted in higher levels of sensitivity and a decline in patient compliance as it may not have been done exactly as prescribed and optimal results may not be achieved as patient tolerance or enthusiasm declines with time. Store bought strips are ok for starters, but in our experience most patients end up back in the office because of their personal dissatisfaction with the end result. Non dentist whitening "spas" are a concern to the dental profession as unsupervised use of lasers and other chemicals can create injuries to the patient. In additon if there are undiagnosed previous dental conditions such as decay or periodontal disease, the bleaching procedure could also create unanticipated dental problems.
There is no reason you can not have in office bleaching with ZOOM after doing home bleaching. Grey colors are the toughest to get an outstanding result and each time you bleach your teeth, the results may become more subtle. It is a good idea to wait a few weeks, to allow your teeth to rehydrate and to use Flouride rinses between bleaching sessions to help minimize any senesitivity you might experience.
Because every situation is different and the options may be numerous, without a full diagnostic workup it is virtually impossible to "guess" at how much the cost of dentistry will be. Think about this analogy. If you were to walk in to an auto dealership and ask them, "How much is a new car?" They would not be able to give you an answer until they knew the specifics of your request. The best suggestion is to get several opinions and options, educate yourself as to what your needs are and then you can make a well informed decision.
The black triangle is always a cosmetic challenge. Porvelain veneers can correct the issue. You will be able to floss between the teeth after the veneers as they are separate restorations. When done well they are imperceivable to the eye and compatible with the gum tissue. As an alternative you may want to speak to a periodontist about a gum graft in that area. You will need to balance the priorities in your mind as to how significant the black triangle is esthetically versus the solutions to improve upon it.
