A dental-assisted teeth whitening treatment is always the best way to whiten your teeth. Laser teeth whitening is a treatment to remove stains and improve the appearance of discolored teeth.
Foods and drinks like coffee, red wine, and tea can cause tooth staining. Cigars and cigarettes contain ingredients that adhere to the pores of the teeth, which can cause a brownish or dark appearance. Some medications also stain the teeth, like tetracycline and other antibiotics.
If you work in an industry that requires you to interact with a large number of people, you must have your teeth whitened to make a good impression. But how do you choose the right teeth whitening method for you? Many people consider the downtime and the cost of teeth whitening when deciding which type or method is best for them. However, it’s also essential to consider the treatment’s effectiveness and the expected results.
The following article will provide you with useful information about laser teeth whitening.
Table of Contents
Laser teeth whitening
The laser teeth whitening session is not incredibly long; it lasts less than an hour.
First, the dentist inserts a mask into the patient’s mouth that protects the gums during treatment.
Then all the teeth are sprinkled with the hydrogen peroxide gel.
Everything is ready for the laser to intervene, with which the dentist heats the gel and activates the hydrogen peroxide.
In this way, oxygen is released and penetrates the tooth, destroying the hyper-pigmented molecules responsible for stains and yellowing.
Once the laser’s intervention is complete, the gel must be left on for at least twenty minutes to exhaust its
action.
Teeth whitening with laser – Not much beneficial
- The application of the laser in dental whitening, in reality, does not involve particular benefits compared to the classic method used by dentists.
- However, it has the defect of increasing costs. But let’s see how teeth whitening with the laser is practiced.
- As for the classic method, it is necessary to proceed with a thorough dental cleaning.
- The principle of bleaching with the laser consists of hydrogen peroxide bombarded by the laser beam, which causes,
with the contribution of energy, the release of free radicals that have the power to break down. - The pigmented molecules that make up the gray or yellowish teeth you want to get rid of.
- Therefore, the operation phases consist of determining the color of the teeth using a standard colorimetric scale.
- The teeth are photograph to demonstrate the starting point from the point of view of tooth coloring.
- A mouth retractor tool is applied to maintain the pose during the treatment.
- Therefore, the hydrogen peroxide-based gel is useful to the teeth, which gel needs to be activated by the laser beam.
Types of lasers for teeth whitening
There are three types of lasers approved by the American Food & Drugs.
- One is the diode laser, the most common.
- The second is the Argon laser which has the advantage of not causing thermal rises.
- The third, little used, is the carbon dioxide laser which has the defect of causing thermal gradients and risks causing gum and pulpit problems.
The most technologically advanced and safest laser is also the most expensive, ultimately going to the treatment cost.
Saving money on this type of treatment, therefore, could lead us to have unpleasant consequences.
Dental bleaching with laser, and how it works?
- The fundamental elements of this treatment are two:
Gel
- A substance applied to the teeth containing hydrogen peroxide, which functions as a whitening agent;
Laser
- An intense and directed light, which increases the gel’s temperature, activates the hydrogen peroxide.
Results and effectiveness
- The laser whitening results are immediately visible, but the maximum effectiveness is reached after a few days (about a week).
- At this stage, it is essential to avoid ingesting foods with artificial colors (such as cola) and to stay away from cigarettes.
- The duration of the whitening effect over time, on the other hand, depends on various factors (eating habits, the onset of particular pathologies, genetics of the teeth).
- In general, however, I can also maintain an excellent gloss level for a couple of years.
What to eat after the laser whitening
What foods and beverages are not allowed after a laser teeth whitening treatment?
- In the first days following the treatment, it will be necessary to pay close attention to what you eat and drink.
- The teeth will be susceptible and delicate in the sense that they absorb the pigments more efficiently than what you eat.
- All “white” foods, such as chicken or turkey meat, apples, white pasta, white rice;
- Drink only water, avoid all colored drinks (if you need to take them, better do it with a straw, and minimize
contact between the juice and the teeth).
List of foods and drinks not to eat
Check them out below:
- Coffee and tea, two of the beverages that stain teeth the most;
- Drinks like Coca Cola, which stain your teeth;
- Chocolate;
- Licorice, which tends to leave black on the teeth;
- Avoid all acidic foods, such as lemon or vinegar, which are too aggressive in the days after treatment;
- Avoid overly colored vegetables and fruits, such as blackberries and raspberries, and spinach or red carrots.
Professional methods for teeth whitening
Dentists are the most qualified professionals to perform teeth whitening procedures. Here are the most important facts you need to know about professional teeth whitening methods:
- Professional tooth whitening does not damage the enamel of the teeth.
- The enamel, or the shell that protects our teeth, will remain intact and not damaged.
- Whitening is not painful. It does not hurt. It only temporarily makes the tooth more sensitive (48/72 hours).
- After teeth whitening, some patients complain of a more acute dental sensitivity.
- It is entirely normal phenomenon, that disappears in a short time, and that does not leave any negative consequence.
- During this time, it is necessary always to clean your teeth, avoid smoking and eat and drink white foods whenever possible.
Who can do professional teeth whitening?
- The treatment can be done on all patients who do not have caries, tooth sensitivity, or other serious pathologies.
- Whitening may not be possible on devitalized teeth or teeth that have undergone trauma: if you have any doubts, it
is advisable to ask your doctor. - It is good to remember that professional teeth whitening does not replace dental cleaning.
- They are two different practices, one aims at aesthetics, the other at our teeth’ well-being.
- It should also emphasize that the SSN services reimbursed fall within the necessary assistance levels (LEA) and, therefore, subject to a ticket.
Takeaway
Laser teeth whitening comes in a variety of types, effectiveness, results, and methods. Choosing the best laser teeth whitening treatment for you necessitates taking important factors into account, such as the root cause of stains on your teeth. Consult a professional dental health expert to discuss the different teeth whitening options you can try that’s within your budget and will deliver the desired results.