Are your stained teeth causing you anxiety? Your teeth are the focal point of your smile. So, don’t let them hold you back from feeling good about yourself. Dr. Reece can give you a whiter and brighter smile with professional teeth whitening.
Most people don’t care to visit the dentist for this cosmetic dental procedure. Fortunately, Dr. Reece is a caring and friendly dentist that makes sure that you feel welcome in our dental office. Dr. Greg Reece and our dental care team at Dentistry of the Queen City offer KOR teeth whitening in Charlotte, NC.
You can obtain a whiter, younger looking smile without the use of lights or lasers. Dr. Reece also keeps tooth sensitivity in mind, and will make sure that he protects your sensitive teeth. KOR involves both in-office and at-home teeth whitening treatments that provide many benefits for our patients.
What is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is a process that removes stains from the surface of your teeth. You can whiten your teeth in many ways. The most common way is to use a whitening toothpaste or mouthwash that contains hydrogen peroxide or baking soda.
When these ingredients interact in your mouth, they react with the teeth’s surface to create a mild form of acid. This acid helps to break down stains on teeth and remove any rough areas.
Another method is to use a professional whitening product that contains hydrogen peroxide or other bleaching agents. These products usually provide quicker, although temporary, results. For example, results that only last days or are dependent on how well you can follow the instructions yourself.
Fortunately, teeth whitening at the dentist is one of the best methods! The latest generation of teeth whitening treatments are in-office procedures that can instantly improve your teeth. They usually take about an hour, and results can last for months. Learn about the whitening system that we provide at Dentistry of the Queen City below.
KOR Teeth Whitening Treatment at Dentistry of the Queen City
Because the KOR whitening process is thorough and involves many steps, it may not be for everyone. Dr. Reece will check your teeth and mouth to decide if you are a good candidate for treatment. He will also discuss your budget, goals, and overall oral health with you. Then he can provide you with teeth whitening treatments in our Charlotte dental office.
The first step of KOR treatment involves two weeks of teeth whitening at home with whitening trays. You will fill these custom trays with bleaching gel and cover your teeth for 6 to 10 hours, usually overnight.
You will need to refrigerate the whitening gels to ensure that their active ingredients stay effective in treating stains. The whitening trays also seal out saliva. Saliva is able to destroy peroxide quickly, so the sealed trays can help provide patients with more effective results.
After the first two weeks of treatment, at-home whitening continues with one added in-office treatment. A month into treatment, you will start three to four weeks of continuing at-home treatment with many in-office sessions. The last six to eight weeks also involves both in-office and at-home treatment.
This may seem like a long process, but it’s worth it! The KOR teeth whitening method provides consistent results while minimizing tooth sensitivity in millions of patients globally. Visit us for affordable teeth whitening near you.
Benefits of Whitening Teeth with KOR
Our patients get many benefits with this cosmetic dental treatment method. Some of the benefits include:
- Lasts much longer than traditional teeth whitening treatments
- Improves tooth health by using less chemicals
- Less sensitivity on your tooth enamel
- Reverses effects of aging on teeth
- Brightens teeth effectively the first time
- Can help improve your confidence
Visit our dental office if you haven’t had success with other whitening options. Our teeth whitening treatment is great for patients who have stains on their teeth from antibiotics and medications. KOR removes deep stains, leaving you with brilliant ultra-white teeth.
Alternatives to Teeth Whitening Procedures
Our dental office also offers alternative procedures that can brighten your teeth. The first alternative is to use toothpaste that contains peroxide. This will help reduce stains and make your teeth look whiter.
Another option is to brush with a combination of baking soda and water or hydrogen peroxide. This will also help remove stains from your teeth, but it might not be as effective as the toothpaste option.
Unfortunately, not many alternatives to teeth whitening procedures for your whole mouth exist. Although, we can provide alternatives if you have a single stained tooth or two.
One treatment option is to use a porcelain veneer to cover a single tooth. Porcelain veneers are great for patients that do not need a complete smile makeover. To learn more about porcelain veneers, visit Porcelain Veneers.
Another alternative is a dental crown. Dental crowns can also address stained teeth in a focused way like porcelain veneers. A crown is a highly durable, single-colored covering that caps the tooth to restore its natural look. To learn more about crowns for your teeth, visit Dental Crowns.
Maintaining Your Results
Maintaining your teeth whitening results will ensure that your teeth stay as white as they were the day of the treatment. Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a toothpaste that contains fluoride to maintain your teeth whitening results. This will help reduce the build-up of food particles, plaque and tartar on your teeth, which can lead to yellowing.
Fluoride is a natural mineral found in water sources and certain foods. It acts as a protective shield for the enamel by strengthening it. It remineralizes any areas of weakened enamel because of acid attacks or over-exposure to sugars.
Fluoride also gradually removes stains from your tooth enamel, and helps remove stain-causing bacteria. The American Dental Association recommends using a toothpaste with fluoride and the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
Finally, you should avoid dark-colored foods and drinks for about 1 week after your procedure. If you find yourself drinking dark-colored beverages, use a straw and rinse your mouth afterwards. All these tips will ensure that your treatment lasts a long time before you need a touch-up.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
How long will my gums stay bright white after teeth whitening?
A professional teeth whitening treatment can stain gums, but it is rare. You can compare it to a sunburn on your gums. This may last 24 hours, and your gum tissue will peel similar to skin with a sunburn. This is completely normal and should not last more than a day or two.
Can teeth whitening damage your teeth?
Teeth whitening does not damage your teeth. Contrary to popular belief, the procedure does not harm your enamel. Yellow coloring of the teeth is a sign of damaged enamel.
However, overusing teeth whitening products can cause long-lasting tooth sensitivity. So be careful using too many store-bought products, like whitening strips, in a short period.
Do gums grow back after teeth whitening?
The process will not affect gum tissue if your dentist provides proper treatment. Gum tissue will return to normal after treatment.
Some of the compounds that teeth whitening treatments use can cause the gums to change color or flake off. This can be because of a high exposure to hydrogen peroxide, but should not last longer than 24 to 48 hours.
Can my dentist whiten dentures?
Your dentist can not whiten dentures because they consist of artificial material. Normal whitening toothpaste and traditional whitening methods can not penetrate the material like natural tooth enamel. However, your dentist can stain them whiter or polish them. But the whitening treatment that we apply to real teeth will not work on dentures.
Is it painful to whiten your teeth?
Your teeth may feel achy during treatment. Ibuprofen may help with pain, but may not always be necessary. You will experience sharp pain when drinking especially hot or cold things.
Drink liquids at room-temperature until the temporary sensitivity goes away. Temporary sensitivity should go away within 24 to 48 hours after the procedure.
Contact our Charlotte, NC, Dental Practice Today
If you are looking to brighten your smile, contact our dental office in Charlotte, NC. Call Dr. Reece and the dental care team at 704-486-8911 or request an appointment online. Dr. Reece will work with you to ensure your comfort during every step of the treatment process. If other whitening methods have not worked for you and your teeth, KOR may be what you’re looking for.