Laser Tooth Whitening

Laser tooth whitening uses a light, combined with the peroxide bleaching gel, to maximize the speed and power of tooth whitening.

Some brand names of systems that use this technique are Zoom and BriteSmile.

Historically, this was the original technique used to lighten teeth. We started using this in my office in the mid-1980s. Then the tray bleaching systems were developed, and they were so convenient that the power light fell out of use. Now, with recent improvements in these power systems, they are becoming more popular again because they achieve results more quickly than trays, and they are more powerful.

Laser tooth whitening results

With the power light bleaching, your teeth will be dramatically whiter after only one visit. Here are before-and-after photographs of a patient treated by one of our mynewsmile.com network dentists, Dr. Susan Hollar of Arlington, Texas.


Here is a young patient immediately before the laser tooth whitening procedure.	This is the same patient, one hour later.

Advantages of Laser Whitening as Compared to the Tray Technique

	It whitens faster and more thoroughly than the tray technique. Although, if you are diligent enough and have enough determination, you can get your teeth just as white with the tray technique. You just have to keep bleaching and bleaching. But most people don't have that kind of discipline.
	It is more convenient, because the dental office staff do everything for you. When you use the trays, you have to take them home and apply the gel yourself, and remember to use it.

Disadvantages

	For thorough bleaching, you will either need several appointments or will need to follow up the laser whitening appointment with home treatments.
	There is a greater tendency to sensitivity. Some people, after the power bleaching appointment, feel sharp zings in their teeth for a day or two afterward. The zinging is eased by taking two to four ibuprofen immediately at the end of the appointment, before your teeth actually begin to zing.
	It is more expensive.

Click here to read about the laser tooth whitening procedure.

This information is provided for you by the mynewsmile.com cosmetic dentist referral service, and was personally written by Dr. David Hall. If you would like to be referred to a cosmetic dentist who would be expert in all of these questions about tooth bleaching, please see our cosmetic dentist referral page.

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