subject: How Does Laser Teeth Whitening Work? [print this page] Laser teeth whitening is a procedure performed by a dentist in their office. When you choose professional dental services to whiten your teeth you first have to find a dentist with whom you are comfortable.
You will want to plan on being in the dentist's office for at least an hour. If your teeth are badly stained, the appointment could take longer. It could also take more than one visit to the dentist to get the desired results. This again, depends on how badly your teeth are stained. The results are good and instant. But it can be quite costly and cost $100s per treatment.
Future treatment also depends on how much your teeth get stained after the first treatment.
For example, for smokers, the whitening effect may not last as long as it does for non-smokers.
How does laser teeth whitening whiten your teeth?
It is a very simple process. A bleaching gel will be applied to your teeth by the dentist. Before the gel is applied the dentist will clean your teeth to remove any plaque.
After the bleaching gel is applied, the dentist will use a laser to activate the gel. The light from the laser will cause a chemical reaction in the bleaching gel. This chemical reaction is what whitens your teeth enamel.
When you opt for laser treatments, your teeth will be noticeably whiter and brighter. Some side effects are associated with laser teeth whitening. The most common side effect is sensitivity to hot and cold liquids. After a few days this sensitivity will go away though.
What do you need to do after treatment?
There are some steps that you will need to take to keep your teeth white for longer after your laser teeth whitening procedure. You will need to make sure that you eat or drink less of anything that can stain your teeth.
For example, you may want to drink white wine instead of red wine and grapefruit juice instead of cranberry juice. Dark colored foods and drinks can discolor your newly whitened teeth faster. Smoking and chewing tobacco can also cause your teeth to look yellow after you have had them whitened.
You should be aware that the results from laser teeth whitening last between 6 and 12 months. You will need to schedule an appointment with your dentist 4 to 6 months after your first procedure for maintenance. Touch ups may require 1-2 further applications.
Is there a cheaper alternative?
There are many teeth whitening products available that you can use at home. The most common are trays, strips, powders and pens. Out of these, the pen is the easiest, least messy and most convenient to use. Results may not be as good or as instant compared to laser treatments. They are a lot cheaper though.
