Thinking of Professional Teeth Whitening? Here’s What Laser is Really Like
I don’t know about you, but once I hit my 30s, my smile looked dull and yellow. I suppose the endless coffee dates, wine on the weekends and fizzy drinks throughout the week in my 20s finally took a toll on my smile.
If you’re anything like me, you would have already tried out tooth whitening toothpaste and at-home strips, which never whitened my teeth one shade, let alone worked at all. So, in a bid to transform my smile, I looked to professional tooth whitening, where a world opened up before my eyes, only leading to more questions about which product to use.
Hence, the inspiration for this article is that I thought I would help other users navigate their way through professional tooth whitening and which products to use, whether it be laser or bleaching.
What You Need To Know About Laser Teeth Whitening
- Laser whitening is referred to as power whitening.
- Bleaching products are painted directly onto our teeth; then, a laser is used to activate the whitening.
- It only takes an hour and is effective for 78% of users.
- If laser whitening does not work, your next best option is veneers.
- Offers deeper stain removal as the bleaching gel attacks the discolouration on a molecular level.
- It’s the most expensive form of whitening but can last up to 3 years.
- Lightens teeth up to 8 shades lighter.
Pros and Cons of Laser Teeth Whitening
Advantages:
- Experience faster results.
- Safe and gentle treatment for your teeth and gums.
- Minimal to no sensitivity during the laser whitening process.
- Select your preferred shade with laser treatment.
- Longer-lasting outcomes (results don’t fade quickly).
- Available on finance.
- Takes 15-60 minutes.
- More immediate and intense.
- The peroxide mixture that contains 35 to 44 percent hydrogen peroxide — far stronger than the 10-percent solutions
Disadvantages:
- Carries risks like burns, gum or tooth damage.
- The results, whilst long-lasting, are not permanent.
- Treatment is costly and might require multiple sessions (2-4).
- Results can be uneven.
- Adapted diet for the first 48 hours.
Laser Teeth Whitening Vs. Teeth Whitening Trays
What I did in the end
Whilst laser offered longer-lasting results, in the end, it didn’t seem to be a faster process than at-home professional whitening kits. I would still need multiple sessions to achieve my desired shade, and I felt it would be safer to opt for whitening trays, which meant I could have better control over the whitening process whilst still under the guidance of a dentist.
Whitening kits I would recommend:
- Enlighten Evolution
- Boutique Whitening (I prefer By Day, rather than By Night)