Types of Teeth Whitening Treatments

Today, there are several types of over-the-counter teeth whitening treatments available. However, professional teeth whitening at Charleston Center for Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry is a safer and more effective way to brighten your smile. Dr. John F. Rink can explain what you can expect from the types of teeth whitening available at our Charleston, SC, office compared to what you can purchase yourself.

With professional teeth whitening, your teeth can be several shades lighter.

Causes of Tooth Discoloration

Tooth discoloration is a very common dental issue. You may want to brighten your smile even if you brush and floss daily and get routine dental exams and cleanings. If you use tobacco, be aware that it typically stains your teeth. In addition, certain foods and drinks such as coffee, black tea, soda, tomato sauce, berries, and citrus foods and drinks can lead to unsightly staining.

Teeth Whitening Options

Combination of At-Home & In-Office Therapy

This is the most effective and predictable teeth whitening option and we offer three different types of KöR systems for treatment:

KöR Max Whitening System uses a combination of at-home whitening with in-office whitening that is versatile and produces the best results for teeth whitening.
KöR Ultra Whitening System treats more complicated cases such as fluorosis or dark geriatric staining and produces whiter teeth.
KöR Ultra T Whitening System is specifically used for unique cases of antibiotic staining that was once thought to be untreatable.

At-Home Whitening Only

KöR Home is an at-home two-week day and night teeth whitening system that is considered to be the next best option after KöR Max. KöR-night provides greater whitening results than KöR-day and costs less than other teeth whitening options. KöR-day is a secondary option normally used when patients are unable to wear the teeth whitening trays during sleep or have sensitive teeth.

Over-the-Counter Treatments

There are many over-the-counter options for teeth whitening. Some of these options provide better results than others. Whitening toothpastes contain a mild abrasive that can whiten teeth up to one shade. Whitening mouthwashes contain small amounts of peroxide, and these rinses are not believed to be very effective as the peroxide only touches the teeth for about one minute.

Whitening strips are thin pieces of plastic coated in peroxide. You attach the strips to the front of your teeth for about 30 minutes per day for two weeks. These strips are reportedly the best over-the-counter whitening method.

The treatment regimen for whitening gels depends on the type and strength of gel that is purchased. Gels can give results similar to whitening strips. Pre-made whitening trays are made to contain whitening gel, but because they are not custom-made for each patient’s mouth, the gel can ooze out and cause gum irritation.

Benefits of Professional Whitening

Professional teeth whitening is one of the fastest, most cost-effective ways to significantly enhance your smile. This improvement can positively affect your self-confidence as well as other people’s perception of you. The procedure is also safe and non-invasive, especially compared to other smile improvement techniques such as dental bonding and porcelain veneers. Over-the-counter options are not as effective as professional teeth whitening and, depending on the product used, they can harm tooth enamel and irritate gums.

Schedule a Consultation

KöR Teeth whitening is a quick way to improve your appearance. To learn more about professional teeth whitening, or any of the other great cosmetic dentistry services we offer, contact our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Rink.

Types of Teeth Whitening