In-Office Teeth Whitening

Have you tried the at home teeth whitening products and have had little or no success? The over-the-counter methods of teeth whitening have smaller doses of peroxide, and although they are less costly, they can be much less effective than going to see your local dentist.

The at home versions are based off of professional options that your dentist can prescribe for you. But there are also quicker and more expensive methods that can be done right there in your dentist’s office.

Ever heard of laser eye surgery? How about laser face-lifts? Well, there’s also a thing called laser teeth whitening. First they clean the teeth thoroughly, removing most plaque and junk along the gum lines and on the enamel. The teeth are coated in a similar substance used in teeth whitening strips that contain a peroxide gel. The gel is shot with a laser which activates the chemicals and the bleaching procedure really gets underway. The whole ordeal can last up to an hour, but it is very effective in removing stains and brightening up your smile. Occasionally, if you have a serious case of discolored teeth, the procedure will have to be repeated.

If you have sensitive teeth or gums, the laser teeth whitening is still an option for you. Many people complain of complications or extreme gum sensitivity when using the peroxide overnight trays or even the strips, but the laser technique is usually only a one hour session, so the amount of time actually in contact with the chemical peroxide is much less.

The cost involved in a laser in-office teeth whitening procedure is usually high. It can run around a few thousand dollars for the one visit. But the results are consistently positive, quick, and economical in the long run.

The other methods which take more time, yet cost much less are the professional tray or strip treatments. The strips are used twice a day for thirty minutes each session for around 4 weeks. These strips usually don’t cover all of the teeth, but they are very effective and you only have to use them for an hour each day.

Alternatively, there are trays which have a higher dose of peroxide and are used throughout the night while you sleep, for around two weeks. This procedure involved keeping the chemicals in your mouth for a much longer period of time, which many patients complain about. It has the most side-effects of the three methods, and is known to cause gum irritation or sensitivity among other problems.