Teeth Whitening Options

Pearl32 Dentistry and Wellness in Laguna Hills offers three ways to whiten: KoR deep whitening for stubborn stain, custom take-home trays for everyday yellowing, and internal bleaching for a single tooth that has darkened from the inside. All of them lighten natural enamel only. None of them change the color of crowns, veneers, fillings or bonding, and we plan around that before you start.

The short answer

If whitening strips did little for you, or your staining dates back to childhood antibiotics, KoR is the option to ask about. If your teeth have simply yellowed with coffee and age, custom trays with dentist-strength gel usually do the job over two to three weeks. If one tooth is dark and the rest are fine, the answer is internal bleaching, not more whitening of the whole mouth.

The three options

KoR deep whitening

Custom sealed trays worn overnight at home for two weeks, refrigerated peroxide gel, and in-office sessions to start and finish. The sealed trays keep saliva out, which is what lets the gel keep working through the night. It is the system we use for tetracycline staining and for people who have tried everything else. Full detail is on our KoR whitening page.

Custom take-home trays

We scan your teeth and make trays that fit closely, so the gel sits on the enamel and not on the gum. You wear them for an hour or two a day, or overnight with a milder gel, for two to three weeks. The result comes on gradually, which suits people who do not want a sudden change or who have sensitive teeth.

Internal bleaching for one dark tooth

A tooth that has had a root canal, or a knock years ago, often darkens from the inside. Gel is placed inside the tooth and sealed in, then changed every few days until the shade matches. It takes one to three visits. Our internal bleaching page covers it.

What whitening cannot change

Crowns, veneers, fillings and bonding keep their color. Gray staining from tetracycline lightens less than yellow staining and takes longer. White spots on enamel can become more obvious at first before the surrounding enamel catches up. Whitening does not treat decay or gum disease, and we treat those first if they are present.

Sensitivity, and how we manage it

Brief sharp twinges in the teeth during treatment are common and settle within a day or two. We apply desensitizing gel before and after, and with trays you can skip a night. If you already have sensitive teeth, we start with a lower strength and a shorter wear time.

Cost

Each option is quoted in writing after an examination, because the right one depends on the cause of the stain. Take-home trays cost less than KoR. Internal bleaching is quoted per tooth. Whitening is a cosmetic treatment and dental plans do not normally cover it. Third party financing is available through the plans on our financing page, and the practice is not the creditor.

Whitening before other cosmetic work

If you are planning bonding, veneers or a smile makeover, whitening comes first. The new shade needs about two weeks to settle before restorations are matched to it. The wider picture is on our cosmetic dentistry page.

Questions people ask about teeth whitening

Which whitening option is right for me?

Custom take-home trays suit everyday yellowing that has not been treated before. KoR suits staining that has already resisted over the counter products, tetracycline staining, and anyone who wants more change than trays alone give. Internal bleaching is for one tooth that darkened after a root canal or an injury. We match the option to the cause of the stain.

Does whitening damage enamel?

Professional whitening at dentist-supervised strengths does not damage enamel. Peroxide passes through the enamel and lightens the pigment beneath it. Sensitivity during treatment is common and temporary. Overuse of strong gels without supervision can irritate gums, which is one reason we fit custom trays that keep gel off the gum.

How long does teeth whitening last?

Results usually hold for one to three years, depending on coffee, tea, red wine and smoking. Trays let you touch up for a night or two when the shade drifts. With KoR, periodic home maintenance is part of the system and keeps the result stable for longer.

Can I whiten if I have crowns, veneers or fillings?

You can, but they will not change color. Whitening lightens natural enamel only. If you have visible porcelain or resin on front teeth, we plan around it, whitening first and then remaking or re-shading the restoration to match two weeks later if it stands out.

Why is one of my teeth darker than the others?

A single dark tooth usually has a dead or root-treated nerve inside it, or an old injury. Whitening from the outside barely reaches that stain. Internal bleaching places the gel inside the tooth and lightens it from within over one to three visits. Our internal bleaching page explains it.

Does teeth whitening hurt?

Some people feel sharp, brief zings in the teeth during treatment, more often with in-office sessions. It settles within a day or two. We use desensitizing gel before and after, and with take-home trays you can slow the pace. Whitening is paused if you have untreated decay or gum disease, because those need treating first.

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. What is right for you can only be decided after an examination.