Category: Teeth Whitening

A brilliant, white smile is widely regarded as beautiful, making the individual seem warmer and friendlier. Since ancient times humankind has sought to improve the natural coloring of teeth, and remove the stains that accumulate with age. Throughout history, various substances ranging from urine to acid have been used for this purpose. Thankfully, modern times have brought new standards of safety and sanitation, as well as innovative, scientifically researched new solutions to old problems. Today, stained or discolored teeth can be brightened safely and effectively with peroxide-based formulas.

Improving on a good thing

The discovery of peroxide for tooth whitening marked the birth of a new industry. Store shelves are lined with products containing the “same active ingredient as professional whiteners.” These claims are not false, but they are misleading. Commercially available products have much lower concentrations of these ingredients than professional formulas, leading to inferior results. Additionally, the safety of do-it-yourself whitening is questionable, due to the lack of professional supervision.

Even among dental whitening systems, you have a staggering number of options. A few brands are well established with familiar names, leading many people to assume they are superior. However, the first idea isn’t always the best. Traditional peroxide-based whitening is limited by the tooth enamel’s ability to absorb it, as well as the patient’s ability to endure the tooth sensitivity that often accompanies treatment.

KöR Deep Bleaching, available at Pleasant Dental, is a new concept in peroxide whitening. It is formulated to prevent sensitivity, while restoring the enamel’s permeability for better results with a more comfortable experience. Dramatic improvement can be achieved, even on teeth with deep stains or intrinsic discoloration, such as tetracycline stains.

Unlike many brands, KöR whitening does not require the use of an activation-light. Although the application of light, and thus heat, appears to make teeth brighter, it actually just makes them drier. Healthy tooth enamel contains about five percent water. When it becomes dehydrated, it appears brighter and more opaque, just like a wet piece of paper compared to a dry one.

Many patients complain that the added brightness of light-activated whitening does not look natural, because the opacity creates a chalky appearance. Additionally, it is very short-lived. As soon as the enamel recovers its natural moisture content, the patient is left with only the stain removal that was caused by the peroxide formula. Rather than artificially enhancing results with the use of light, KöR’s developers focused on creating a better product, and a better method of delivery, with phenomenal results.

Dr. Dietrich of Pleasant Dental is dedicated to providing the gentlest, most effective, most advanced dental care available for residents of Dolton IL, Calumet City, and other nearby communities. Call us at [phone] and schedule your appointment today.

You hear about bleaching teeth all the time. Dentists market it as a easy process for those patients who want to improve the looks of their teeth. Today there are multiple kinds of bleaching. Most work. Some provide a fair change of color. Others produce significant changes. None have ever provided the kind of change I have witnessed with what is called “Deep Bleaching” or Kor whitening. (both are trademarks of Dr. Rod Kurthy)

Like many bleaching techniques, Deep Bleaching uses bleaching trays to produce the desired effect. The fact that trays are used like other systems is misleading. Unlike other systems the trays are made in a manner that truly promotes holding the bleach against the teeth.

If you think that all bleaching trays do that, you’d be mistaken. Most bleaching trays are comparatively sloppily made and easily allow the bleach to be washed out by saliva. Deep bleaching trays require expertise and precision to be made. Most dentists and most labs don’t come close to the level required.

While the tray is critically important, so is the bleaching material itself. You see bleach degrades in potency as soon as it is made. If it is subject to heat during shipping or in storage in the dentists office, it loses even more bleaching ability. The folks at Kor ship the bleaching materials on ice. They are never subjected to significant heat from the time of manufacture to the time they are used. This assures the highest potency and most effective bleaching.

Recently I did a bleaching on an older patient (older teeth are often harder to bleach). She had moderately dark teeth. The Deep Bleaching process we had elected required her to use the trays at home for two weeks prior to coming into our office for a final inoffice bleaching.

When she returned to our office she smiled and her teeth virtually glowed. We really didn’t need to do any additional bleaching, but we did the in-office part and she went away extremely satisfied with the results.

Frankly, the Deep Bleaching process is the only process I know of that would have accomplished this. I have tried many of the other tray systems, the systems that use lights and others. None held a candle to the results I have achieved with Deep Bleaching.

You hear that teeth whitening is harmless and does not permanently alter your smile. Then you are told that it isn’t safe to use a product off the store shelves without first consulting a dentist. What gives? In reality, teeth whitening is extremely safe and gentle, but only if you are a good candidate and it is applied properly.

Both the ADA (American Dental Association) and the AGD (Academy of General Dentistry) recommend seeing your dentist for an evaluation before beginning any kind of whitening, to ensure both safety and effectiveness. Most people are good candidates for bleaching. However, there are a few exceptions:

• Pregnancy – We don’t know that it would pose any risk during pregnancy, but we don’t know that it wouldn’t. There simply isn’t enough data to know for sure, and we don’t want to take chances! If you are planning to become pregnant, whiten your teeth first. If you are already pregnant, it’s best to wait until after giving birth.
• Oral health – If you have broken or fractured teeth, or deep cavities, the dentin and possibly the nerves may be exposed. Whitening gels are formulated for contact with enamel, so using them when your teeth are in this condition could be a painful experience. These concerns need to be addressed before whitening.
• Sensitive teeth – The most common side effect of whitening sensitivity. Many people don’t experience this at all, and it is temporary if it does occur. However, if your teeth are already sensitive, this temporary period won’t be fun. No, we don’t mean that you shouldn’t whiten if you have sensitive teeth, but it is another excellent reason to see your dentist. Dr. Dietrich offers KöR whitening, which is unique in the fact that it is formulated to prevent sensitivity. Other products and formulas for sensitive teeth simply have ingredients that may help sooth sensitivity after it has already occurred.
• Dental fillings – Bleaching your teeth when you have fillings, crowns, veneers, or false teeth is not harmful, nor is it uncomfortable. However, it won’t yield the results you are expecting, because dental materials do not respond to bleach. If your restorations match the current color of your teeth, they will look like dark spots after whitening. Therefore, if you want a brighter smile, you need to consider replacing old, dark dental work.

Don’t take chances. You can have a brilliant smile, safely and conveniently – with the help of your dentist. Call Pleasant Dental at [phone] and schedule an appointment. We are located in Dolton, IL, serving communities throughout the Chicago area.

Does the smile you see in the mirror sparkle like fresh snow? Unless you are a kid, or you’ve had teeth whitening treatment, the answer is probably, “no.” Tooth enamel is naturally bright and uniform in color. However, your adult teeth finish developing long before you finish high school, and they have the rest of your life to accumulate various stains. Fortunately, those stains are removable, and your teeth can be returned to their youthful brilliance.

How KöR is different

You have an endless variety of options for whitening your teeth. Commercial products are the least effective, because they have a lower concentration of whitening ingredients than professional strength products do. Most people will see moderate improvement from any professional whitening system. However, the results may be less dramatic than you hoped with some formulas. Additionally, some types of stains, such as tetracycline, are especially challenging to remove. KöR is a unique system, capable of achieving more dramatic results than other brands, even on difficult stains.

What to expect

KöR deep bleaching is not a single treatment, but rather a complete system. It is completed in three phases:

• We begin with a treatment here in the office. Unlike some brands, KöR does not use an activation light. That means the results you see are genuine; they are not the result of dehydrated, overly opaque tooth enamel. The initial session archives visible improvement, and helps restore the tooth enamel’s natural ability to absorb whiteners.
• The next phase is daily whitening at home, using custom-made trays. They are specially designed to prevent leakage, because leaks can irritate your gums as well as reducing the effectiveness of the product.
• The final step in a complete deep bleaching program is a follow up in-office session. Using this three-step system, most patients can see improvement of up to 16 shades, which is about twice as much as typical dental whitening brands. KöR deep bleaching is often successful when other techniques have failed.

  If you want to learn more about the most powerful teeth whitening system in the Chicago area, call Pleasant Dental at [phone] and schedule a consultation with Dr. Dietrich.

When you think of teeth whitening, your mind may go to Zoom. It is a well-known, well-advertised brand, which has gained quite a following. If you’ve tried it, you probably know that it works, and you might be surprised to learn that Dr. Dietrich does not use Zoom here at Pleasant Dental in Dolton. The doctor has a simple philosophy when choosing what products and services to offer. He wants to give you the most bang for your buck. You are spending valuable time and money to improve your smile, and Dr. Dietrich gives you a great value in return.

Understanding teeth whitening

Although systems and brands of teeth whitening can vary considerably in delivery method, they all work on the same basic principle. Certain types of peroxide can be safely applied to tooth enamel, breaking up stains much like using chlorine bleach on white linen.

The problem with whitening is that the results do not occur instantly, on contact. Although tooth enamel is porous, it takes time for the peroxide to soak in. However, it must be applied carefully because, although bleaching gel is safe for enamel, it can harm soft tissue. Especially if the stains are deep-down, this can present a challenge, which is solved in various ways. At-home whitening is usually accomplished with strips or trays to keep the active ingredient in place, and away from your gums.

Why method matters

If professional whitening systems use similar active ingredients, you might expect them all to perform the same.

However, there are significant differences.

• Professional strength whitening strips, which are available from Pleasant Dental, are great for people with light stains. However, it takes a stronger gel to soak into the enamel and eradicate deep down stains.
• Zoom whitening uses a whitening gel, combined with an “activation light.” What does the light accomplish? Research indicates… nothing. At least, nothing with a lasting benefit. The light tends to dehydrate tooth enamel, making it whiter and more opaque for a short time. After a couple of days, the enamel is rehydrated, leaving you with little if any benefit from the light.
• KöR is our answer to tough stains that strips can’t handle. It is more comfortable and convenient for you, because there is no light. It also yields even better results than alternative methods, for a couple of reasons. First, the product is refrigerated during shipment and storage, so it does no lose potency to heat exposure. Additionally, it is formulated to help enamel absorb the product more readily, reaching deeper stains.

If you want a dazzling smile, at your convenience and within your budget, call Pleasant Dental at [phone] and schedule an appointment.