Bleaching or whitening teeth with laser is a process that includes using bleaching gel activated by laser light. A dentist offering teeth whitening in North York explains that, the laser light itself does not affect teeth whitening, and only acting on the whitening gel activates it and makes it work faster and more effectively. It is also one of the most effective and safe methods for teeth whitening, and it is necessary to know that it results similar to other professional bleaching methods in the office.
Uses of Laser Bleaching
Laser teeth whitening can be used to whiten stained and discolored teeth for various reasons, including the following:
- Surface or deep stain on tooth enamel
- Tooth discoloration due to aging
- Stains caused by smoking
- Stains caused by improper diets, such as excessive consumption of wine and coffee
- Stains caused by dental fluorosis
- Discoloration due to tetracycline use
- Impact on the tooth pulp
- Discoloration caused by restorative treatments
Note: Professional bleaching alone may not be enough to treat discoloration caused by tetracycline.
In this case, a combination of treatments, such as bleaching and coating, can be used.
Note: Dental fluorosis may require treatment with laser bleaching and micro abrasion.
How Is Laser Bleaching Done?
First, the dentist must examine the condition of the patient’s mouth and teeth to start the restoration process after ensuring that the teeth and gums are healthy and determining the appropriateness of using this method.
Laser bleaching is done in the following steps:
- Dental scaling
The dentist first performs scaling of the tooth to clean the surface of any scale and plaque.
- Use gum protection
The dentist places a plastic guard in the patient’s mouth to help keep it open during bleaching. Then he puts a protector on the gums to prevent the contact of the whitening gel with the gums and irritation and damage to it.
- Use of glasses
Before starting the treatment process, protective glasses are given to the patient so that the laser light does not damage the eyes.
- Application of bleaching gel
At this stage, the bleaching gel is placed on the patient’s teeth and activated by shining the laser light on them. (The gel may foam, indicating activation.)
The gel usually stays on the teeth for a few minutes.
The dentist removes it and reapplies it to achieve the desired whiteness.
The total duration of the treatment may be between 30 and 90 minutes, and more than one office visit may be required.
For Whom Laser Teeth Whitening Is Not Suitable?
In some cases, laser teeth whitening is not a good option. These are:
- People who have decay or other problems around the root of the tooth.
- Women who are pregnant.
- People generally have many dental sensitivities.
- People whose gums have receded and their dentin has been exposed.
- People who have cracks in their tooth enamel.
- People who have repaired their front teeth using methods such as implants, laminates, bridges, etc.
- Elderly patients with gingivitis and yellowing of tooth roots.
Does Laser Bleaching Have a Good Effect on Teeth Whitening?
In the following, we have stated the most common factors that determine the success rate of laser teeth whitening treatment:
- Yellow or light brown teeth with surface stains are easier to whiten.
- Teeth with gray streaks, often discolored by antibiotics such as tetracycline, are harder to whiten.
- Dentin darkens with age, making it harder to whiten with bleaching.
- Teeth that are darkened by trauma are more difficult to whiten.
