Laser Teeth Whitening

Laser teeth whitening is one of the fastest and most effective ways to get dazzlingly white teeth. Most Laser whitening is accomplished in less than an hour. You will see dramatic results immediately afterward, and your teeth will be several shades lighter. However, Laser whitening has a downside, with side effects including tooth sensitivity. The effects from Laser teeth whitening may not last long, either.

Laser teeth whitening is a bit of a misnomer, as the lights involved are not actually Lasers. Instead, bright lights are used to accelerate the effects of the bleaching agents. This is also known as light-assisted bleaching, or power-bleaching. Some dentists use halogen lights to perform this procedure, while others use LEDs or plasma arc lights. Studies have shown that halogen lights are the most effective.

Dentists accomplish Laser teeth whitening by applying oxidizing agents to your teeth and then using the lights to excite the molecules and increase the rate of oxidation. Stains and discoloration are oxidized, resulting in extremely white teeth. The most common oxidizing agent is hydrogen peroxide, which is applied as a gel. This substance has a very high concentration of peroxide, and so your dentist should apply some sort of protective barrier to prevent chemical burns to your gums. Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful oxidizer that works much faster when exposed to light. This is why peroxide is commonly sold in dark-colored bottles.

Another chemical used for Laser teeth whitening is carbamide peroxide. This is a solid crystal chemical which breaks down in water to form hydrogen peroxide. The concentrations of peroxide used for power-bleaching are much higher than the concentrations found at your local drug store. These powerful oxidizers dissolve the stains from your teeth, and with the help of lights can bleach even deep stains.

One of the big problems with light-assisted bleaching is that the oxidation combined with the bright light can heat your tooth pulp and surrounding gum tissue. Scientists have discovered that lights in the blue spectrum have high enough energy to excite the peroxide molecules without creating too much heat. Most Laser teeth whitening is accomplished in a single visit to the dentist, and can take as little as thirty minutes.

The worst side effect of power-bleaching is tooth sensitivity, which happens to many people. This is partially caused by the dehydration of the teeth, which makes the tooth pulp easier to irritate. Some people describe the sensation as single teeth exploding like firecrackers. Other people are not bothered as much. The sensitivity usually only lasts a few days.

The same dehydration that causes sensitivity can also cause your new pearly whites to get less white. About a week after a Laser teeth whitening session, your teeth will return to their normal, hydrated form. This usually makes them get darker. Immediately after power-bleaching, your teeth will be extremely white. After a few days they may darken to nearly their original color. If you are whitening your teeth for a special occasion, you will want to plan for this effect by scheduling your Laser teeth whitening appointment shortly before the occasion.