Teeth whitening is an extremely popular non-invasive cosmetic procedure because to possess a perfect white smile is extremely desirable in today’s society. As people get older, their teeth become darker as the mineral structure of the tooth alters, while the consumption of drink, food and tobacco can also stain teeth. Teeth whitening offers a possible solution to this problem.
Laser teeth whitening, sometimes referred to as ‘power whitening,’ is one way to address the problem of tooth discoloration. It has been growing in popularity in recent years, due to the fact it works quickly and safely, causing no damage to the structure of an individual’s teeth or gums. Laser teeth whitening cannot be performed at home, and requires the services of a dentist who will assess whether this particular method of teeth whitening is appropriate.
The procedure itself involves placing a rubber dam in the patient’s mouth to protect their gums, and then applying a bleaching gel with a neutral pH level to the teeth. The gel is then exposed to a laser which activates the mineral accelerant contained within it. The whitening gel is transformed into oxygen which covers the enamel of the teeth allowing the whitening gel to penetrate the lower levels of the tooth in order to create whiter teeth. Laser whitening can make teeth up to five or six shades lighter. Essentially, the laser helps to speed up the whitening process as a result of its interaction with the whitening gel, and the procedure generally takes an hour to perform.
The main advantage of laser teeth whitening is that even though it takes only an hour for the procedure to be completed the effects are immediately noticeable. There is also the benefit of having a dentist, someone who ought to know what they are doing and know what is best for their patient, carry out the procedure. However, having a dentist involved requires money and may not be the cheapest option in terms of teeth whitening products and procedures. Laser teeth whitening may also not be suitable for everyone, particularly if they have sensitive teeth and gums, receding gums, or other significant problems with their teeth, or if they are under the age of 16 or pregnant.
People may also discover that the procedure leaves their teeth whiter than they had anticipated, although this may not be a problem because laser teeth whitening is not permanent. Consequently, stains may return requiring further laser treatments to be carried out, which can become increasingly expensive. The immediate whitening effect of laser teeth whitening, however, is unquestionable.