Naples Teeth Whitening

Ready for a smile that’s several shades brighter? At Naples General & Cosmetic Dentistry, we’ll help you get there. We use the revolutionary KöR Whitening system to bring you dramatic results through a combination of at-home and in-office treatments. Or, if at-home whitening isn’t an option for you, we also offer Zoom in-office sessions.

What Is the Best Thing to Whiten Your Teeth?

There are two types of tooth discoloration, intrinsic and extrinsic. Extrinsic stains, which lie on the surface of your teeth, can be removed by brushing with whitening toothpaste. But the stubborn stains that make our teeth less than white—intrinsic stains—must be dissolved by a potent bleaching agent, like peroxide gel. To be effective in whitening your teeth, the gel must make contact with the teeth for an extended period without losing potency. We use the KöR Whitening system because it accomplishes this goal remarkably well. It uses a custom-fitted whitening tray filled with peroxide gel and worn over your teeth daily or nightly, for a specific amount of time.

Why We Love KöR Whitening

We love KöR Whitening for two reasons. For one, it’s backed by extensive scientific research. And for another, it works! Thousands of patients worldwide have achieved a brighter smile by following the KöR protocol, a unique program based on the science of what makes teeth whiter. Curious about what sets the KöR system apart? Here’s a look:

Peroxide Gel Potency

KöR uses proprietary formulation and delivery methods to provide a fully potent peroxide gel. Through the use of a special tri-barrel delivery system, KöR includes more stain-dissolving ingredients in its peroxide gel formula for greater effectiveness. From the time of manufacture, the gel is kept under constant refrigeration. This is necessary because hot—or even warm— temperatures cause hydrogen peroxide to break down, and the premature breakdown of peroxide in whitening gel drastically lowers the gel’s potency. By staying cool until application, KöR gel maintains its potency and effectiveness.

In addition, the KöR whitening tray is specially designed to prevent another undesired cause of peroxide breakdown, saliva contamination. When in contact with peroxide, saliva and gingival fluid will neutralize it. To solve this problem, KöR created a tray that seals out saliva and gingival fluid. By design, nothing stands in the way of the KöR peroxide gel doing its job.

Minimal Sensitivity

Remember how heat causes the peroxide in whitening gels to break down prematurely? When this happens, the gel becomes not only less effective but more acidic, increasing the risk of tooth sensitivity. KöR’s practice of constant refrigeration delivers potent whitening gel that causes little to no sensitivity. Another way the KöR program prevents sensitivity is through the use of a special desensitizer included in all treatment protocols. It works by sealing any open tubules in the dentin of your teeth. This keeps fluid in the tubules from moving around and causing your teeth to experience sensitivity.

Teeth Whitening: Our Process

Step 1: Exam

Before getting started with whitening, Dr. Bracho will perform a complete exam to make sure your teeth and gums are in good health. This is important, since issues like leaky fillings can lead to tooth sensitivity during bleaching. If you’ve had a recent exam, send us your x-rays and Dr. Bracho will do a quick, complimentary check. If everything looks good, we’ll move forward to creating your whitening tray.

Step 2: Tray Fitting

Next, Dr. Bracho will take digital impressions of your teeth so that we can create a custom-fitted plastic whitening tray for you. This tray will hold the peroxide gel in direct contact with your teeth, so it’s important that it fits snugly.

Step 3: The Protocol

Finally, we’ll give you all the information you need to know to begin your at-home whitening protocol:

1. Apply the desensitizer to your teeth.
2. Fill the tray, tooth by tooth, with peroxide gel.
3. Firmly push the tray onto your teeth so that it sits snugly against the gum line.

For night whitening, you’ll wear your tray overnight for two weeks. For day whitening, you’ll wear it 30-60 mins once or twice daily for two weeks. After two weeks, we’ll see you for a follow-up visit to check in on your progress.

Step 4: Follow-Up

At the follow-up visit, Dr. Bracho will discuss your progress, goals, and any sensitivity you’re experiencing. As needed and desired, you may continue your treatment for up to an additional 10 weeks.

Step 5: In-Office Treatment

The KöR protocol also includes an in-office session scheduled at the conclusion of your at-home treatment. Some programs also include an in-office conditioning session scheduled before your at-home treatment.

At-Home Treatment Not Your Thing?

If keeping up with a daily whitening protocol isn’t doable for you, we also offer in-office Zoom treatments in which a potent gel is applied to your teeth and a light directed at your smile. Before treatment, we cover your lips and cheeks and apply a special coating to your gums. During each 20-minute session, you can sit back and relax while the peroxide gel does its work. Your smile will reach a dramatic level of brightness which will fade somewhat, stabilizing to show your true results after a few days. Our complete Zoom protocol consists of three sessions.

For Your Brightest Smile

If your smile goals include whitening, we’d love to help you achieve them. To get started, give us a call at (239) 262-1535 to schedule your initial exam. (If you’ve had one recently, let us know—we’ll just need your current x-rays to move forward.) Or feel free to request an appointment online, and we’ll contact you to set one up.