Stained, yellowed, and discolored teeth are usually caused by poor oral hygiene, tobacco use, and chromogens. Smoking cigarettes, vaping, and other tobacco products turn the tooth enamel yellow over time. Nicotine easily attaches to the enamel and causes stains and discoloration. In addition, poor oral hygiene can yellow the teeth and also leave patients prone to cavities and decay. Coffee, wine, tea, berries, red wine, tomatoes, and other foods and beverages contain chromogens that stain the teeth. Chromogens are pigmented compounds that adhere to the tooth enamel and discolor the teeth. Dr. Catherine Wilder and Dr. Lauren Shepard provide teeth whitening treatment at Katy Smile Design in Katy, TX. As a cosmetic dental treatment, professional teeth whitening reverses years of stains from the tooth enamel for a brighter smile.
Professional vs. Store-Bought Whitening Treatment
Store-bought teeth whitening gels, strips, and toothpaste often do not provide consistent results. If you have sensitive teeth, over-the-counter whitening products with strong formulas can cause increased pain and sensitivity. Alternatively, dentists oversee professional teeth whitening procedures to minimize sensitivity and ensure a comfortable experience. Dentists customize each patient’s treatment according to their sensitivity, budget, and whitening goals.
The Benefits of Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening provided by a dentist:
- Brightens the tooth enamel multiple shades
- Provides safe and effective treatment
- Minimizes gum irritation or damage
- Boosts your confidence
- Can last for multiple months
If you have an interest in receiving professional whitening treatment, contact our office.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
In-office teeth whitening is ideal when you need to get a whiter smile quickly, like if you have an event coming up. Typically, it takes about an hour in our office. The dentist protects your gums and soft tissue from the whitening gel. We apply the gel onto the teeth and activate the bleaching agent with a special light. We provide protective eyewear to protect you from the light. Your teeth will reach the full impact of the whitening treatment in about 24 hours.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Take-home whitening is a more gradual process. We take impressions of your teeth to create custom bleaching trays. These whitening trays block saliva and safeguard the soft tissue. You will need to apply a professional-grade whitening gel onto the trays. Since the trays fit your mouth, they produce a nice, even result. Your dentist gives you a timeline for wearing them. Typically, it’s for a couple of hours each day for a few weeks.
KöR Teeth Whitening
KöR teeth whitening offers multiple treatments for patients with normal to severe staining. To begin the treatment process, we will examine the patient’s smile and determine their sensitivity and type of staining. We will then take impressions to create KöR-Seal™ trays. These trays seal out saliva while allowing active ingredients in the whitening gel to penetrate the tooth enamel.
Patients with normal staining benefit from using these take-home trays for two weeks with KöR Home. We will also recommend KöR Max for patients with normal staining, where patients visit our office after two weeks of take-home trays. We will isolate the teeth in our office and apply a desensitizing gel. Then, we will apply the whitening gel to each tooth. After 20 minutes, we remove the gel and repeat the process.
We may recommend a combination of in-office and take-home treatment for patients with tough stains. KöR Ultra uses jumpstart conditioning. During conditioning, we place 13% Hydremide® Peroxide gel on the trays to encourage oxygenation. Oxygenation occurs when the particles in the whitening gel break down stains throughout the tooth. After oxygenation, patients complete 3 to 4 weeks of nighttime home treatment, in-office treatment, and periodic maintenance. We recommend KöR Ultra-T for patients with tetracycline stains. This treatment uses in-office whitening and 6 to 8 weeks of at-home trays. For patients committed to brightening their smiles, KöR delivers highly effective results.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Do you have more questions about teeth whitening treatment in our office. Continue reading to learn more about professional teeth whitening and to find answers to our most frequently asked questions.
Does teeth whitening cause tooth sensitivity?
Tooth sensitivity is a common side effect of teeth whitening treatments. Professional whitening treatments reduce tooth sensitivity and irritation to the gums with their specially formulated elements. We always supervise our patient’s whitening treatment to minimize these side effects.
Is teeth whitening safe?
When performed by a trained professional, teeth whitening treatment is completely safe and can bear amazing results. Patients may experience slight gum sensitivity after professional teeth whitening, but this is nothing to be concerned about and should go away within a few days. It is important to remember that the safest way to whiten your teeth is to see a professional.
How long do results from teeth whitening last?
The longevity of the results from teeth whitening treatment varies from factors including patients’ diet, oral care, and how well your teeth respond to whitening products. On average, teeth whitening effects last for anywhere from six months to a year. Avoiding tobacco products and staining foods and beverages can extend the lifespan of the effects of whitening treatment.
When will I see whitening results?
Patients can see professional whitening results within 24 hours. Because of this, teeth whitening is a good option for patients attending special events such as weddings, birthdays, and graduations. Whitening results vary depending on the diet of the patient as well as their oral hygiene. We recommend that patients stay away from coffee, tea, and wine. Patients can also maintain their smiles at home and in our office to ensure the best results.
What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic staining?
Extrinsic stains are cosmetic stains on the tooth surface that a dentist can easily treat by using teeth whitening. The tooth experiences intrinsic stains occurring inside due to damage or infection. Other cosmetic options like porcelain veneers and dental bonding can treat these stains.
Made of porcelain ceramic and biocompatible materials, both veneers and tooth bonding can brighten the look of the tooth enamel.
Request a Dental Consultation
Do you want a brighter smile? Contact Katy Smile Design at 281.843.9814 or schedule a dental appointment with our team online. Katy Smile Design welcomes patients from Katy, Fulshear, Richmond, and other local communities. Please let our dental team know if you have any questions or concerns. They will be happy to assist you.