Laser Teeth Whitening – A Complete Guide

A complete guide to everything you should know about laser teeth whitening.

Laser teeth whitening is a popular procedure used by people to whiten their teeth. Teeth can become stained or coloured from many causes, including things such as smoking, red wine, coffee, not brushing properly, or simply with age. Most people complain about their teeth becoming a yellow brown colour, and even regular brushing with whitening tooth paste will not always solve the problem. Whitening of the teeth by laser is one of the best solutions to get them back sparkling white again. Most dental surgeries offer in-surgery laser teeth whitening. It is usually carried out by a regular or cosmetic dentist and can vary in price depending on the extent and length of treatment that you require.

Laser whitening works by applying a coat of special bleaching product on to your teeth. A laser is then focused on the teeth to activate the bleaching material. There are special steps taken to ensure that the teeth and gums are not damaged by the process, which involves a rubber dam being put on the teeth. It is said to lighten the colour of teeth from up to four to six times, which makes it a very effective treatment compared to others such as regular bleaching. Before the procedure can actually take place, a dentist has to check your teeth to make sure they are suitable for the procedure. This could involve checking for damaged enamel which would prevent the procedure from being possible. Once you have been given the go ahead, the actual whitening itself usually takes around one hour to complete, and is not painful or obtrusive, which is another reason why it is so popular.

After the procedure you will notice an immediate improvement in the lightness of your teeth, which can last for a varying amount of time, often lasting for as long as up to three years. However if you smoke or eat and drink products which can stain the teeth it the whitening effect can last for less time. Although most people experience no problems after receiving laser teeth whitening, there are possible side effects which you should be aware of. They include teeth becoming sensitive to cold, a discomfort in the gums and in rare cases a white line appearing around the gums. It also helps if after you have received the procedure you use whitening toothpaste which can help to maintain the whiteness of your teeth and remove any new staining. The best way to keep your teeth from staining again after the procedure is to brush regularly with a fluoride toothpaste, and avoid smoking or staining items like coffee and red wine.

Many people want to know whether the procedure can be applied to dentures, veneers or other false teeth. Unfortunately this is not possible. Only natural, healthy teeth are suitable for the laser teeth whitening procedure, however veneers, dentures and other false teeth can be cleaned by a dentist.