Laser Teeth Whitening

Once your mouth has been prepped, your dentist will apply a thick gel-like barrier around your gums and activate a bleaching compound on top of your teeth. A laser will then speed up this process while lifting away stains off of them.

Home bleaching trays typically contain lower concentrations of peroxide than professional-grade whitening gel, and using laser light accelerates chemical reaction more rapidly.

Cost

If your smile has become discolored due to medications, age, genetics or poor dental choices, whitening procedures could be just what’s needed to restore its radiance quickly and affordably. Unfortunately, however, laser whitening procedures are typically not covered by insurance and in-office sessions may be costly.

This process uses a peroxide whitening gel applied directly to teeth and then activated with laser light, increasing oxidation levels for increased effectiveness, so patients can get whiter teeth faster than using DIY solutions.

Before beginning laser treatment on soft tissues in the mouth and gums, a protective coating must be placed over teeth and gums in order to safeguard these areas from bleaching gel coming into contact with other parts of the mouth. Cheeky retractor systems or liquid or rubber dams may be employed during bleaching sessions in order to keep it away from other parts of the mouth and safeguard their health during three 15 minute sessions. In between treatments, mouth must be rinsed out thoroughly in order to preserve health of soft tissues.

Once laser whitening has been completed, your dentist may provide you with a maintenance kit to take home and use as needed for touch-up sessions or maintenance afterward. Unfortunately, this extra expense can quickly mount up over time; so before selecting laser whitening as a method for improving your smile it is wise to carefully consider your budget before making a decision.

Side Effects

Laser teeth whitening involves applying peroxide gel directly to the teeth, followed by exposure to ultraviolet or blue light which activates its bleaching agent. Treatment typically lasts less than an hour, and patients can see noticeable differences in the shade of their smile. It’s important to keep in mind that results won’t last forever and may fade over time.

Tooth sensitivity is one of the primary side effects associated with laser whitening treatments. To combat this side effect, dentists typically apply fluoride treatments prior to commencing any laser whitening sessions and recommend that patients avoid foods and beverages likely to stain their teeth following a session of laser whitening.

Laser whitening may cause gum irritation as its process exposes gum tissue to oxygen molecules. To minimize this symptom, dentists may place rubber dams around the mouth to keep saliva away from coming in contact with whitening gel and increasing redness and irritation.

Studies have linked laser usage with increased expression of substance P, leading to greater sensitivity. This increase is believed to be caused by heat generated during laser bleaching; more intense effects were noted with argon (488 and 415nm) and KTP (35% HP) lasers than visible green LED (470-810nm) lights; however some studies also indicate that carbamide peroxide-containing whiteners such as Carbowax may help decrease sensitivity independent of any laser wavelength used.

Safety

A whiter smile can boost your self-confidence and help you to advance in life. People will be more inclined to approach you with business opportunities or take risks in relationships when they see that your smile looks healthy-looking; laser teeth whitening could also benefit your overall health and well-being, leaving you more energised to face life’s challenges head-on.

Laser teeth whitening may offer many advantages, yet isn’t right for everyone. As it involves both chemical-containing bleaching gel and intense laser heating, which may result in mouth sensitivity, gum irritation and possibly cracks or damage to enamel of teeth – it is best to wait at least a few hours after treatment before eating or drinking anything hot or cold – it’s wiser.

Note that teeth whitening treatments aren’t covered by insurance, making the cost prohibitive if multiple sessions are needed to reach desired results. Many dentist practices offer payment plans or credit cards for this process to make things simpler – still, be sure to take your time when considering all available options before making your choice.

Results

Laser whitening may be worth exploring if you want whiter teeth. While the costs can be more prohibitive than using whitening trays, laser whitening will produce quick and dramatic results in just days, working on even stubborn stains more effectively than trays do. And its results could last several months or more depending on your habits and diet.

This procedure employs a bleaching gel with hydrogen peroxide as its active ingredient, heated up by laser to increase its reactivity and speed up the whitening process. Photosensitizers (chromophores that absorb light and cause photochemical reactions) may further increase this gel’s responsiveness to further accelerate whitening efforts.

Laser teeth whitening offers impressive results when performed correctly, brightening teeth by up to 15 shades and eliminating longstanding stains that have accumulated on them for years.

However, laser whitening may not be suitable for everyone and may pose risks. It should be avoided in those with sensitive teeth and done exclusively within a dental office setting.

Most people will experience some mild to severe sensitivity after their treatment; this usually subsides within seconds. If more serious sensitivity persists, an Advil might help. To maximize results and minimize potential side effects, always visit a dentist with experience performing laser whitening treatments to assist.