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When Viagra was first given to human test subjects, it was initially intended to help with hypertension. Of course, it was soon discovered that the little blue pill had other effects on men, and it soon became one of the most popular medications in the world. Teeth whitening actually has a similar history—the way it’s done today is the result of a happy accident. Unfortunately, because it was basically stumbled upon, many of today’s treatments are stuck in the past and don’t utilize the latest findings and research. In fact, the only teeth whitening on Long Island that does apply modern science is Kor Deep Bleaching. What makes it special? What are the other treatments missing? Read on to find out.
A Very Brief History of Teeth Whitening
Many decades ago, a group of dentists were discussing how to help their patients’ gums heal after braces were removed, as they would often be irritated and swollen. They decided to use a common product called Gly-Oxide as a balm, and wouldn’t you know it, they found that the teeth consistently became whiter! Thus, teeth whitening was born. To make this treatment more effective and long-lasting, new “bleaching gels” were given higher concentrations of the active ingredient (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide), and dentists started exposing the gels to lights and lasers to help them break up stains faster. While these adjustments did lead to somewhat better whitening, the fact is that this approach ignores a lot of basic scientific principles.
A Very Brief Trip to High School Chemistry
When you were in school, do you remember studying endothermic and exothermic reactions? To sum it up, an endothermic reaction is one that absorbs energy, and energy is released during an exothermic reaction. A good example of an endothermic process is cooking, while an exothermic process can be seen in every action movie in the form of an explosion.
In essence, teeth whitening is an exothermic process. The active ingredient in the bleaching gel removes stains by breaking the molecular bonds that hold them together, releasing energy. For an exothermic reaction to happen, energy has to be removed, not added. But many treatments add energy using lights and lasers, essentially working against the actual whitening process. This is why many methods lead to results that are either underwhelming or don’t really last…the chemical reaction needed to brighten the teeth is compromised from the beginning.
How Kor is Different
The people who developed Kor Teeth Whitening figured this all out a long time ago, which is a big reason why their whitening gels are chilled until they are applied to the teeth. When the gel is exposed to the warmer air and a patient’s mouth, this stimulates the exothermic process needed to brighten the teeth. This is why Kor is able to remove stains that many other treatments leave behind (like those caused by tetracycline), and the results tend to last much longer as well.
Kor also combines in-office and take-home treatments to achieve the best results. Exposing the teeth to a highly-concentrated bleaching agent for a short amount of time versus a weaker one for an extended amount of time helps remove a wider variety of stains. By using both approaches, a patient’s smile can become up to 10 shades whiter as opposed to just 3 or 4.
Choose a Treatment with Science on Its Side
If you want to brighten your smile, why not choose a treatment that doesn’t actively work to sabotage itself with gimmicks? Kor whitening puts the latest findings and proven science into action to help a patient improve the appearance of their smile for years to come. And, to get it, all you need to do is contact a cosmetic dentist in your area, and you’ll be well on your way to a grin that will light up every room you’re in.
About the Author
Dr. Allan Mohr is a cosmetic dentist with more than 30 years of experience, and he’s proud to be a Kor Premier Provider. Over the years, he has helped countless patients achieve the dazzlingly white smiles they desire, and you can see a few examples right here. To learn more about Kor whitening and the many other cosmetic services available here at Smile Creations, give us a call today to schedule an appointment (be sure to ask about our wedding special!).
