Chapel Hill Family and Cosmetic Dentistry offers professional teeth whitening in Chapel Hill, NC. As an experienced cosmetic dentist, Dr. James Furgurson can provide you with personalized whitening treatments to help you attain the results you want. A tooth whitening treatment from a highly trained dentist will help yield even and quick results. Professional whitening treatments are one of the cosmetic dentistry services we provide to new and existing in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Teeth Whitening in Chapel Hill, NC
Dr. Furgurson offers 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 KöR 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.
KöR Teeth Whitening at Chapel Hill Cosmetic and Family Dentistry
The KöR 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 KöR 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, in 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 KöR teeth whitening method minimizes tooth sensitivity while providing brilliant results.
Opalescence Teeth Whitening at Chapel Hill Cosmetic and Family Dentistry
The benefit of choosing Opalescence Teeth Whitening is that it includes ingredients to reduce tooth sensitivity. The tooth whitening gel has potassium nitrate, which blocks the transmission of nerve signals in the teeth. People who often experience tooth sensitivity can benefit from using this form of whitening gel with the added desensitizing agent.
Opalescence also has added fluoride that gives the tooth added protection. It will strengthen the tooth enamel to make it more resistant to acid and decay. This brand of whitening helps to improve not only the beauty of your smile but your oral health as well.
How It Works
Depending on which treatment you choose, your Opalescence whitening gel’s active ingredient will be carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. The oxygen molecules from the whitening agents penetrate the tooth enamel and spread to the stains and discolored parts of the tooth. They will break apart stains into less visible fragments. This will effectively lighten the color of your teeth, making them appear whiter.
Before and After
Opalescense is an easy teeth whitening treatment that offers dramatic results. Here is a patient who used the treatment and achieved a significantly brighter smile and whiter teeth.
(*Results may vary; images courtesy of Opalescence)
How to Maintain Your Teeth Whitening Results
It is easier than you think to prolong your professional teeth whitening treatment results. The most important thing you can do is maintain good oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing daily. Using mouthwash will also help kill any bacteria that may be hiding inside your mouth.
Avoiding or limiting certain beverages such as coffee, tea, red wine, and soda will help prevent new stains. Visiting your dentist on a regular basis is also very important. You will clean your teeth regularly to prevent build-up that can stain your teeth. You can also consider touching up your treatments as needed to help maintain your results.
Other Teeth Whitening Options
Dr. Furgurson will need to first examine your teeth to see if professional teeth whitening is right for you. He will discuss your oral health and lifestyle habits during your consultation. If it is, he will prepare you for treatment.
However, teeth whitening may not work for everyone. There are certain stains that even professional teeth whitening cannot fix. For patients whose teeth may not respond to our professional whitening, we offer other cosmetic dentistry treatments like dental crowns or porcelain veneers.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Read our frequently asked questions to learn more about professional teeth whitening. Here, we answer common questions about our procedures. Contact us if you have further questions or concerns.
How does professional teeth whitening compare to store-bought options?
There are many products for teeth whitening including toothpaste, strips, and gels that you can buy from a store. Professional treatment is still the best choice for patients who want the best results. Dr. Furgurson offers teeth whitening systems with custom-fit trays to ensure even results. Our products will also reduce tooth sensitivity, a common side effect of whitening.
How much does teeth whitening cost?
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.
Can you whiten veneers?
No, veneers can’t be whitened like natural teeth. Veneers are made from materials like porcelain or composite resin, which don’t respond to whitening treatments. If your veneers look dull or discolored, it might be due to stains around the edges or your natural teeth becoming darker. If your veneers no longer match your other teeth, we may suggest whitening your natural teeth or replacing the veneers.
Are there foods or drinks that can enhance the effects of teeth whitening?
Yes, some foods and drinks can help maintain or enhance the effects of teeth whitening. Eating crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, celery, and carrots can naturally clean your teeth by scrubbing away surface stains. Dairy products like cheese and yogurt contain calcium and phosphorus, strengthening teeth and keeping them looking bright. We also recommend drinking plenty of water, especially after meals, to rinse away staining particles and keep your smile clean.
Avoiding dark drinks like coffee, tea, and red wine can help your whitening results last longer. If you consume these drinks, use a straw to minimize contact with your teeth and rinse your mouth with water afterward.
Can teeth whitening help with spots or stains caused by braces?
Teeth whitening can help improve the appearance of some spots or stains left behind after braces, but it might not fix all types of discoloration. White spots caused by braces, which are often from demineralization, may not respond to traditional whitening.
If you have white spots or other stubborn stains, we may recommend bonding, veneers, or a fluoride treatment to even out the color of your teeth.
Can I whiten my teeth if I have gum disease?
If you have gum disease, treating it before trying teeth whitening in our Chapel Hill, NC office is best. Gum disease can cause your gums to be inflamed, sensitive, or even bleed; whitening treatments could worsen these issues. Whitening products can irritate unhealthy gums, causing more discomfort. Once your gums are healthy, they can discuss safe whitening options that work best for you.