KöR vs. Zoom! Teeth Whitening

The world of teeth whitening is vast and, if you’re new to it, a little scary. We don’t blame you if you’ve felt overwhelmed in the past while researching whitening choices. Tons of people want to whiten their teeth which means the market has created a huge supply of options — some being better than others. Everyone wants a brighter, whiter smile with a reasonable price tag but wading through the pool of hundreds of whitening applicants is tiresome. This is why we’ve put together a surprisingly small list of good, reputable whitening options: Zoom! and KöR.

At Stanley Dentistry, our dentists primarily use Zoom! and KöR whitening because unlike at-home or non-professional treatments, these two actually present real, long-lasting results. Now that we’ve narrowed it down to two options, choosing which one is right for you is a lot easier. Still, Zoom! and KöR each have their own list of pros and cons that you should consider before scheduling a whitening appointment.

Zoom! Whitening for Easy Results

The fastest and easiest whitening option on the market is (per its name) Zoom!. This whitening process frequently takes only one short trip to the Stanley Dentistry office in Cary, NC. Your dentist will first apply a peroxide gel to your teeth. Then, they will place a specially designed low heat light close to your teeth. The light activates the whitening gel, prompting the hydrogen peroxide to connect to (and thus weaken) the stained molecules. Your dentist will complete this twenty-minute process a total of three times during your visit. The final results are stunning teeth that are up to eight shades whiter.

In truth, Zoom! is all about speed. A Zoom! whitening appointment is short and the results are nearly instantaneous. However, the Zoom! process isn’t optimal for patients with tooth sensitivity or deep-seated stains. If you have sensitive teeth, the Zoom! activation process will undoubtedly come with some pain that could keep you from completing the treatment. Speak with your dentist before to see if your sensitivity or the severity of your stains will impede Zoom! from working effectively.  

KöR Whitening for Deep Stains and Sensitivity

Zoom! definitely isn’t for everyone which is why Dr. Rod Kurthy invented KöR as a whitening alternative. KöR is great for patients who want a comfortable whitening process that yields more impressive results. However, KöR does come with some serious drawbacks. The biggest is the reason many people still use Zoom!: time.

KöR treatment includes both at-home and in-office processes. Two weeks before coming in for your KöR appointment, your dentist will give you an at-home kit that includes a dental tray and a special gel. The overnight tray allows for longer periods of gel exposure which makes for whiter end results. Patients have to be diligent about using the KöR at-home kit every night before their appointment. If they aren’t, the treatment won’t be as effective.

When a KöR patient eventually does come into the office, the appointment is fairly short. The final step in the KöR process involves a dentist applying a breathing gel to your teeth. Depending on your desired results, you may have to come in for a second office visit.

The Consensus

On average, KöR patients finish their treatment with teeth sixteen shades whiter than what they started with. Compared to Zoom!, that’s a huge difference. Although more expensive and labor intensive, KöR is undeniably the better whitening option.  

Of course, what it really comes down to is your needs and your budget. If you have sensitive teeth, KöR is your only option. If you’re getting married in a week (and don’t want to break your wallet), Zoom! is your only option. Before jumping into a quick decision, schedule a free consultation at Stanley Dentistry in Cary to see what our doctors think would be the best option for you. They’ll consider a variety of factors including your gum health, your finances, and the severity of your dental stains. Whichever option you end up choosing, we’re positive you’ll leave the office with a brighter, whiter smile.