Chapel Hill cosmetic dentist Dr. James Furgurson and his team at Chapel Hill Family and Cosmetic Dentistry offer two types of professional teeth whitening: in office and at home whitening trays. Both options can provide results that are better than over the counter options. Your dentist will safely administer each option to provide lasting results.
We use KOR Whitening and Opalescence Teeth Whitening products. Both brands are leaders in professional teeth whitening, are easy to use, and deliver top notch, quality results. Your Chapel Hill dentist can help you decide if in office bleaching, take home trays, or a combo of the two are best for you and your cosmetic goals.
KOR Teeth Whitening at Chapel Hill Cosmetic and Family Dentistry
The KOR whitening process is complete and involves multiple steps. For this reason, it may not be for everyone. Dr. Furgurson will assess your teeth to determine if you are a good candidate for treatment.
The first step of KOR treatment involves two weeks of tooth whitening at home with whitening trays. We fill these trays with a bleaching gel. The trays should cover teeth for 6 to 10 hours of overnight teeth whitening. We keep the whitening gels in the refrigerator to make sure the active ingredients stay effective when fighting stains. As an added benefit, the trays also seal out saliva, which can destroy peroxide. That is one of the active ingredients found in most tooth whitening gels.
After the first two weeks, at home tooth whitening will continue with one added in office treatment. Then the next three to four weeks, you will continue at home treatments and begin with multiple in office sessions. The last six to eight weeks involve in office and at home treatment.
This may seem like a long treatment process, however it has proven results. Millions of patients globally claim that the KOR teeth whitening method minimizes tooth sensitivity while providing brilliant results.
Opalescence Teeth Whitening at Chapel Hill Cosmetic and Family Dentistry
Opalescence tooth whitening gel is has potassium nitrate and fluoride to reduce tooth sensitivity and strengthen enamel. This helps to not only improve the beauty of your smile but your health as well!
How It Works
The active ingredient in Opalescence whitening gel is either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide (depending on the treatment you choose). As oxygen molecules from the whitening agents penetrate the tooth enamel, they spread, breaking apart stains and whitening the entire tooth.
Before & After
(*Results may vary; images courtesy of Opalescence)
Teeth Whitening FAQs
How does professional teeth whitening compare to store bought options?
There are many products for teeth whitening including whitening toothpaste, whitening strips, and gels that you can buy from a store. For patients who want the best results, professional treatment is still the best choice. Dr. Furgurson offers teeth whitening systems with custom fit trays to ensure even whitening of the teeth. In addition, our products will reduce tooth sensitivity, a common side effect of whitening.
How much does teeth whitening cost?
Teeth whitening is a cheap cosmetic dentistry treatments. The cost of your whitening treatment will depend on the type of whitening you choose. Refills for touch up treatment may be an added cost. Contact our office for more specific details.
Will teeth whitening make my teeth more sensitive?
One of the more common side effects of teeth whitening is tooth sensitivity. Dr. Furgurson and Dr. White carefully supervise teeth whitening treatments to ensure minimal side effects. We use products that will reduce sensitivity.
How long does teeth whitening last?
The results of teeth whitening will vary based on each patient. Most patients can expect whitening to last six months to a year. Touch up treatment every four to six months can help extend the results of your treatment. Visiting the dentist twice a year and avoiding smoking and dark foods will also help to keep your teeth white and bright for years to come.
