KöR Teeth Whitening
Discuss Dental Smile Brightening Technology Choices
In just about an hour…
The Choice of Cosmetic Dentists
Dr. Richard Winter has worked with most of all the popular teeth whitening technologies and products… using them with varying degrees of success with different types of dental stain conditions and patient need.
They remain abreast of laser based teeth whitening technologies through their professional affiliations and on-going participation in reconstructive and restorative dental technology seminars.
KöR is the teeth whitening technology of choice in our office. The system assures our patients a wider range of applications with significant whitening differences when compared with other teeth whitening products.
Why do my teeth become stained?
Every person’s enamel has a slightly different shade. Also, some people have enamel that is more porous, which makes the teeth prone to staining. As we age, our enamel thins and more of the dentin layer beneath begins to show itself. This is why our teeth become more yellow the older we get.
Staining that occurs on the enamel is similar to a stain on a piece of clothing. Teeth whitening can loosen these stains on the enamel. Here are some of the culprits behind the staining of your teeth:
- Food — Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, even dark chocolate have natural pigments in them that can stain the enamel of your teeth.
- Drink — Coffee, tea, red wine, cranberry and other dark juices, even cola soft drinks all can stain your teeth.
- Smoking — Nicotine leaves yellow stains on your teeth.
- Fluorosis — If a child has too much fluoride, it can cause this condition, which stains the teeth. This staining is in the dentin.
- Drugs — In the 60s and 70s tetracycline was a heavily used antibiotic, especially in children. Unfortunately, in many kids it permanently discolored their teeth.
- Genes — The enamel on some people’s teeth is darker than others. Also, some people have enamel that is more porous and stains easier.
In Office Teeth Whitening
The KöR Ultra and Ulta-T Whitening Systems are revolutionary tooth whitening dentistry procedures; it’s safe, effective, and fast, very fast. In just over an hour, your teeth will be dramatically whiter. The convenience of KöR in comparison to days of wearing trays and gradual whitening makes it the perfect choice for the busy individual. KöR Whitening is ideal for anyone looking for immediate results.
What Are The Benefits Of KöR Teeth Whitening?
What’s the benefit of having a bright, white beautiful smile? After your eyes, our smile is what most people say they notice next. A bright, stain-free smile gives you confidence. It makes you happy to smile and converse in a group setting. When your teeth are stained and yellow, you subconsciously cover your mouth when talking or eating around another person. You probably know someone who does this when talking, maybe putting the back of his or her hand up in front of their mouth to mask the stained teeth.
Also, KöR teeth whitening allows our patients from all across Milwaukee to drink that great cup of coffee every morning and enjoy a glass of red wine with dinner, without worrying about staining their teeth. Raspberries, blueberries, and even dark chocolate can stain our teeth, but who would want to abstain from eating them all? Once your teeth become a little yellow or dingy, all you need do is come see us at Hampton Dental Associates, and in just an hour, you’ll walk out with bright, white teeth again.
How KöR Works!
The KöR light-activated gel was developed after years of research by Evolve Dental Technologies, the leaders in professional take-home and in-office tooth whitening dentistry. The gel is a scientifically formulated, pH-balanced Hydrogen Peroxide that, when activated by the KöR light, gently penetrates the teeth to remove deep stains and discoloration. With proper care and an occasional touch-up at home, your whiter smile will sparkle for years.
The KöR whitening procedure is simple and painless. It begins with a short preparation to isolate your lips and gums. We then apply the proprietary KöR Whitening Gel which is activated by a specially designed light.
Teeth typically become at least six to ten shades whiter, sometimes more. A five-minute fluoride treatment completes the procedure.
You’ll be amazed with the results. In most cases, teeth get even whiter the first few days after the procedure.
Keeping that Bright Smile
For selective patients whose lifestyles, careers, and personal interests demand a radiant smile, either of our doctors can prescribe the use of certain types of in-home whitening supplies that can deliver practically any degree of KöR maintenance imaginable.
How long will my teeth stay white? How often should I have them whitened?
There’s no “set” duration for how long your teeth will stay bright and white. If your teeth were stained by coffee and the like, they will become stained again. But you don’t have to give up that glass of red wine — when you feel your teeth are becoming a little dingy again, simply come back in and we’ll whiten them again.
Home hygiene also makes a difference. Using whitening toothpaste (ADA approved, of course), and brushing for two minutes twice daily is important. Plus, coming in for twice-yearly professional cleanings with the team at Hampton Dental Associates is equally important to keeping your teeth their whitest.
What Should I Avoid After KöR Teeth Whitening Treatment?
There aren’t any restrictions on what you can eat or otherwise do with your teeth following your KöR whitening treatment. Because the hydrogen peroxide whitening agent penetrates the enamel of your teeth to break loose and remove the stains, your teeth may be somewhat more sensitive to hot and cold for a day or two after your KöR treatment. But that resolves quickly.
Otherwise, do whatever you like. But be sure to smile a lot, as your teeth are now bright white and gleaming!
Are KöR Teeth Whitening Treatments Safe?
Teeth whitening has been used for more than a couple decades now and has proven to be totally safe. In fact, there are not any recorded instances of irreversible or structural damage caused by teeth whitening programs. There can be some initial tooth sensitivity after your treatment, but that is not an indicator of tooth damage, and it passes in a couple days at the most.
Are KöR In-Office Teeth Whitening Treatments Covered By Dental Insurance?
These are considered to be elective treatments and are not typically covered. However, dental insurance varies widely; some plans have a threshold of dollars spent. It’s best to check with your provider to ascertain your individual coverage. In most cases, whitening is not covered.
Are There Any Side Effects With KöR Teeth Whitening?
As mentioned above, your teeth may be a little more sensitive to hot and cold for a day or more after your KöR treatment, but this quickly passes. Teeth whitening in no way damages the tooth structure. We completely protect your gums during our KöR teeth whitening treatments. These are basically risk-free treatments.
Do You Provide At-Home Products Such As Whitening Toothpaste, and Whitening Strips?
At Hampton Dental Associates, we believe that you should never DIY your smile. As such, we do not provide any at-home teeth whitening strips or whitening toothpaste. You will have to visit your local store if you want to purchase these products.
How Long Is the Full Duration of the Visit?
Every patient who opts for having KöR teeth whitening treatment done has an impressioning appointment, delivery of custom trays and pre-conditioning followed by an in-office procedure to complete the whitening program.
What Is the Difference Between Teeth Whitening vs Teeth Bleaching?
A common misconception is that teeth whitening and teeth bleaching are the same procedure. This is not true as both have very different methods of helping people achieve a brighter smile. Teeth whitening has a large variety of treatments to help remove any unwanted stains and discoloration.
The end result is giving the teeth back their natural shade of white. Teeth bleaching puts more emphasis on whitening as it can go beyond a natural shade of white through the use of chemical agents, such as hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. The choice between which process is better is entirely up to the patient. The dentist will discuss the right program for your type and intensity of stain. If you have tetracycline staining, the KOR tet is a much more labor and time intensive process to try and get deeper into your enamel to effect change.
What Are The Risks of Teeth Whitening and Bleaching?
Both teeth whitening procedures are very safe, but there are risks you need to be aware of. The most common side effect is tooth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity is usually experienced on the first or second treatment, and goes away after a little while but for some people this sensitivity can last a week or longer. Another common side effect is gum irritation, which is caused by the intensity of the chemicals, such as hydrogen peroxide. If you have any uncommon side effects, such as poor results or persistent gum irritation, contact the dentist immediately.
Who Should Not Get Teeth Whitening or Teeth Bleaching?
There are certain factors that can disqualify a person from being a candidate for both procedures. If a patient has any cracks, openings, or unfilled cavities, they must be repaired beforehand. This is because if any of the gels or chemical agents used enters these openings, it can cause pain and discomfort.
Professional Teeth Whitening Before & Afters
Visit our Photo Gallery to see examples of teeth whitening procedures used in conjunction with our other reconstructive and makeover dentistry procedures.
Call 414-464-9021 for information or to schedule your whitening consutation. The cost of whitening can be between $495 and $895 for KOR and KOR MAX. This is not a quick, inexpensive option; it is for the discerning client that wants to get their teeth as white as we are able. All the best, Dr. Rick
Check out our Dental Blog >>
Read our Patient Case Studies >>
Hampton Dental Associates is proud to offer affordable dentistry programs to help you regain your perfect smile.
Learn more about our affordable dentistry options.
