Are you self-conscious about yellowing or stains on your teeth?
Coffee, tea, red wine, certain medications, and simple aging can cause teeth to become discolored. The good news is that there are options to restore a bright, white smile you'll be proud to show off.
Teeth whitening is a relatively quick and cost-effective way to improve your smile. It's also one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry services we provide at Smile Architects.
At-Home Teeth Whitening
All at-home teeth whitening products use some form of peroxide. The difference between over-the-counter and professional teeth whitening kits is the concentration of peroxide used.
Over-the-counter kits use a low peroxide concentration with added ingredients so they don't irritate your gums and other soft tissues in your mouth. These low concentrations aren't strong enough to be effective in removing tough stains from your teeth, such as those caused by coffee or smoking. Professional kits, available from your dentist, use a higher concentration of peroxide for faster and better results.
Further, when you use dentist-supervised at-home whitening kits, you’ll receive custom trays made to fit your mouth perfectly. These trays effectively hold the whitening product in place against the surfaces of your teeth for optimal results. Over-the-counter trays aren't custom-made, so they won't work as well and could even irritate the sensitive tissues of your gums.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Zoom! Teeth Whitening is a popular choice for those who want to whiten their teeth in a single appointment. In-office Zoom! teeth whitening can whiten teeth that have become discolored due to age, coffee, tea, red wine, or tobacco use—usually in an hour or less.
The process begins with your dentist or dental hygienist applying a protective barrier to your gums, lips, and other soft tissues in your mouth. A gel containing hydrogen peroxide is then applied to your teeth. Next, the Zoom! Advanced Power Chairside Lamp activates this gel, which helps remove stains and discoloration from your teeth. The duration of the treatment varies based on your preferred level of whitening.
Zoom! Teeth Whitening can make your teeth six to ten shades whiter in just 45 minutes.
KöR Teeth Whitening for the Most Stubborn Stains
The KöR Whitening Deep Bleaching™ System is a revolutionary tooth whitening system designed to give you the white smile you’ve always wanted. The system works by combining in-office treatment with at-home treatment for dramatic results.
The KöR whitening system is highly effective because it addresses the three leading causes of tooth discoloration:
- Surface stains: These are stains on the tooth's surface that can usually be removed with professional or over-the-counter teeth whitening treatments.
- Internal discoloration: This type of staining occurs below the tooth's surface and is usually caused by trauma or excessive consumption of fluoride as a child.
- Tetracycline staining: Tetracycline is an antibiotic that was commonly used before 1975. It caused internal staining on developing teeth if given during pregnancy or while nursing.
Once your teeth have been whitened using KöR Whitening, they can remain white permanently as long as you follow simple post-treatment guidelines (avoiding smoking and eating/drinking stain-causing substances).
You may not be a candidate for the treatment if your teeth are extremely sensitive or if you have periodontal disease. Your dentist can advise if KöR Teeth Whitening is right for you.
Smile Architects Offers Teeth Whitening Services to Fit Your Needs
For all of your cosmetic dentistry needs, visit The Smile Architects in Huntersville. Along with options for teeth whitening, we offer porcelain veneers, cosmetic bonding, Invisalign, microabrasion, and gum contouring.
Our team also does general and restorative dentistry, including same-day restorations using in-office CEREC technology. Call us today to set up an appointment at 704-875-1621 , or contact us online.