Laser Teeth Whitening

When you want significantly whiter teeth in just a few hours rather than days or weeks, Laser teeth whitening is often the best solution. This process has become wildly popular in the past decade, receiving a great deal of attention from both the media and public alike. First it must be noted that laser whitening systems such as Zoom and BriteSmile, are actually “light activated” tooth whitening systems, as there are no real lasers involved. Both Zoom, BriteSmile, and any other procedure that your dentist might use all work similarly, and have been proven to produce great, noticeable results. Laser teeth whitening generates nearly instantaneous results: up to 10 shades in just a one-hour appointment. Unlike many home teeth whitening systems, laser teeth whitening is done in a single session for instantly brighter teeth. While some deep-set stains do require a second appointment, the technology is so effective that it nearly always whitens teeth instantly to the desired bright white shade.

Laser teeth whitening varies very slightly from system to system. For the procedure, a translucent whitening gel must first be applied to the teeth. Then, a special light (not a laser) is used to activate the crystals in the gel. These absorb the energy from the light and then penetrate the teeth enamel, increasing the whiteness of the teeth. After about an hour the procedure is complete and the teeth are significantly whiter.

Laser Teeth Whitening has many advantages over other methods of teeth whitening. For one, it is by far the quickest procedure, taking only one visit to the dentist. The procedure usually lasts approximately one hour, and return appointments are usually not necessary. Another advantage is that it does not require you to do anything, as home systems can be complex and uncomfortable. Instead of dealing with different home whitening systems every night for weeks on end, this procedure fixes dull smiles instantaneously with no effort on the patient‘s part. This means that it can be done before special events such as weddings or parties, where it is important that your smile looks its best.

Another positive is that there is very little risk involved in the procedure. Laser teeth whitening has been proven to be not dangerous at all to one’s health or teeth. Other teeth bleaching systems, especially self-performed ones may have more risks or side effects than laser teeth whitening, which is performed by a professional. This leaves little room for error, as all teeth whitening companies train and certifies the dentists who perform their procedures. Laser teeth whitening also does not have side effects that bleaching can sometimes have, like sore gums and teeth. Bleach is a harsh chemical; some people are more sensitive to it than others, but the gel used in Laser Whitening usually does not irritate. Although some may worry about a laser being pointed at their mouth for an hour, in reality it is just a simple light tool, one that does not cause any pain or discomfort.

There are some things to look out for however, when choosing to get your teeth whitened with a laser teeth whitening system. The primary concern for most people is the cost of the treatment. It is by far the most expensive procedure for whitening teeth available, at up to $1,000, but it is also the quickest. Dental insurance usually does not cover laser teeth whitening. Therefore, if you want to get your teeth instantly whitened and you don’t want to have to deal with weeks of work, it is certainly going to cost you. A minor disadvantage with laser teeth whitening is that since it is instantaneous, after the procedure, people are likely to notice a difference when you smile. Many people do not like this, as it is obvious to others that they just had their teeth whitened, instead of maintaining a natural brightness. This effect only lasts a short period of time as people get used to your bright, friendly smile.

Choosing a System

The two main systems on the market today are the BriteSmile and the Zoom System. These technologies have boomed in the last 5-10 years due to a great deal of media coverage, and shows such as Extreme Makeover. Because of this, many people began asking their dentists for teeth whitening services, meaning that today many dental offices provide at least some sort of laser teeth whitening procedure.

People question which works better, and which service to choose. As we examined in the article about Zoom Whitening, some feel that it can be painful for those with sensitive teeth following the procedure while Britesmile is not known for this side effect. Regardless, both systems have shown to work well, and very similarly; one is not particularly better than the other. The best thing to do is to research each system, and find what locations near you offer.

Another thing to note is the cost of the system. Because it can cost between $500-$1,000 to get the procedure done, it is important to shop around. The cost varies on how much the teeth need to be whitened, as deep set stains often require more work. Another variable is whether the dentist feels that a home whitening system is also necessary. While there is no question that the one-hour method is effective at whitening teeth, some feel that more appointments are necessary to achieve maximum whiteness.

Controversy

There has been some debate recently about whether a “laser” or light activating tool is actually required for teeth whitening. Some studies have shown that the whitening gel performed just as well without the light activation as with it. There is a general consensus that the light activation is not dangerous in any way to the patient, but simply that the light activation tool that costs tens of thousands of dollars, and therefore increases the cost of the procedure, is not really necessary. Products such as Opalescence Xtra Boost and Niveous are two professional systems similar to the popular Britesmile and Zoom systems, which do not require an activating light tool, or “laser”.