While most in-office teeth whitening procedures use a special light to help whiten your teeth, laser teeth whitening is a little different. It’s even faster than a conventional teeth whitening at your dentist’s office.

Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), laser teeth whitening utilizes heat from the laser to activate the whitening agent on your teeth [1]. Laser teeth whitening is a fast, effective, and safe way to brighten your smile.

Here’s what you can expect during laser teeth whitening at your dentist’s office to get the whiter smile you’ve always wanted!

Before: Exam and Teeth Cleaning

While it’s tempting to want to whiten your teeth as soon as possible, there’s an important step that needs to be done before your teeth-whitening visit: a checkup and cleaning.

Your dentist will ensure you have no cavities and no signs of gum disease. The best candidates for teeth whitening are those with healthy smiles, so any signs of tooth decay or gum disease will need to be addressed prior to your teeth whitening procedure.

A professional teeth cleaning during your checkup will also help remove surface stains from your teeth. This allows you to see the true color of your smile so you and your dentist can decide on the best shade of white for your new smile!

During: Plan for About an Hour

When you return for your teeth whitening procedure, your dentist will first protect your gums from the whitening agent. This is typically done with a painted-on barrier that can easily be removed once the whitening process is done.

A device called a cheek retractor will be placed in your mouth to keep your mouth open, and your dentist will put wads of cotton in certain areas in your mouth to help keep everything dry. You’ll also be asked to wear protective eyeglasses during the procedure as a precaution.

Next, your dentist will apply a whitening compound to each tooth.

Finally, your dentist will use a laser to activate the whitening agents in the solution and make your teeth whiter. Laser teeth whitening should only be done by an experienced dentist, and will take approximately one hour [2].

Your dentist may reapply the solution and use the laser again to achieve your desired level of white. Typically, about two to three sessions lasting about 15 minutes each are done during your appointment. Laser teeth whitening can make your teeth many shades whiter in just one visit!

After: Rinsing and Aftercare

Once the whitening process is complete, your dentist will thoroughly rinse your mouth of the whitening agent and remove the protective layer over your gums.

Your teeth will look immediately whiter following the procedure, meaning you can begin enjoying your new smile! However, you should always follow your dentist’s instructions for aftercare. For example, it’s a good idea to avoid any foods and drinks that could stain your teeth for a few days following the procedure to help your smile retain its new color for longer.

Is It Time to Invest in a Brighter Smile?

Laser teeth whitening can make your teeth dramatically whiter in just one appointment. For anyone who’s wished their teeth were whiter, teeth whitening can be an excellent option to boost your confidence and give you that stunning smile. Is it time to invest in a brighter smile?

Ask your dentist about laser teeth whitening today!

Sources:
1. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/45459000_Applications_of_lasers_in_dentis
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2. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/teeth-whitening/