When it comes to choosing between professional whitening and over-the-counter whitening products, there’s no contest. The professional treatments tend to be more effective and yield longer-lasting results. But which type of professional teeth whitening is best for you? To determine the answer to that question, you need to carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of each option. Read on to learn more about 3 kinds of professional whitening.
1. Take-Home Zoom Treatments
In-office whitening procedures are known to sometimes cause tooth sensitivity. For patients who want to avoid such a drawback, a professional-grade take-home whitening kit is often the better option. Take-home treatments also allow patients to complete the whitening process at their own pace. Zoom offers two major types of at-home whitening: DayWhite and NiteWhite. The whitening solution for DayWhite has a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide and only needs to be used for about 30 to 90 minutes a day. With Nitewhite, various concentrations of carbamide peroxide are used instead, so the solution will have to be used for about 2 to 4 hours a day instead. Both types are suitable for yellow or brown teeth with sensitivity, and they are usually used for about two weeks.
2. In-Office, Light-Activated Zoom Treatment
For those who do not want to have to wait two weeks for a brighter smile, an in-office Zoom treatment will likely be the more appealing solution. The procedure involves applying a light-activated whitening gel to the teeth for 15 minutes at a time. About 3 to 4 15-minute sessions are often enough to brighten the teeth by about 8 shades. When used in conjunction with a take-home whitening kit, Zoom whitening can sometimes make the teeth 14 shades brighter – depending on how bright they were to begin with, of course. Patients with sensitive teeth may want to be wary of in-office whitening; they may have to use a fluoride rinse for about two weeks beforehand to minimize the discomfort they experience after the actual treatment.
3. KoR Combination Whitening Treatment
KoR is specifically designed for patients who have sensitive teeth. It’s particularly effective for stubborn stains, including tetracycline. The reason that KoR causes less sensitivity is that it doesn’t contain the same chemical stabilizers that other whitening gels contain. That’s because the KoR whitening gels are refrigerated until they arrive at the dentist’s office to ensure they retain their effectiveness. The KoR method begins with an in-office priming of the teeth before you’re given a take-home whitening kit. Once you’re done using it, you’ll return for an in-office treatment, after which you’ll receive another take-home kit. Ultimately, this whitening procedure can improve the brightness of the teeth by 16 shades, making it suitable for dramatic smile transformations.
Each of the whitening treatments above can help patients achieve the smiles of their dreams. It’s simply a matter of choosing which one is best suited to your unique situation. Get in touch with your cosmetic dentist today to set up a cosmetic consultation and learn more about whitening options.
About Winning Smile
At Winning Smile Dental Group, our dentists are highly trained and well versed in oral issues. Dr. Polly Reese has enriched her career and expertise by expanding her knowledge and skillset within dentistry. She has completed the entire curriculum for the prestigious Spear Education: Innovative Dental Continuing Education and serves as a mentor and belongs to a local Spear Study Club that meets monthly to review case studies. In addition she has studied at the Las Vegas Institute and completed The Huggins/Grube Protocol, a study for biologic and holistic dentistry. Dr. Robert Baima has more than 40 years of clinical experience and is a Diplomate with both the American Board of Periodontology and the American Board of Prosthodontics. If you are due for a checkup appointment and oral cancer screening, you can contact Winning Smile Dental Group through our website or by calling 847-350-1697.