Fast Laser Teeth Whitening
Laser teeth whitening is the newest method of whitening teeth – and the one that gives the fastest results. While you can still opt for over-the-counter whitening strips, over-the-counter gels, dentist provided gels and even in-office gel and whitening tray procedures, laser teeth whitening is quickly becoming popular among those who don’t mind the price tag and want fast, dramatic results.
The cost of laser teeth whitening runs from $1,000 to $1,300 on average, depending on where you live. That’s about twice to three times as expensive as in-office gel bleaching. For stained teeth, the in-office gel treatment might be supplemented with a kit that can cost from $150 to $400 that you need to use at home to eventually get to the shade you want. Laser teeth whitening, on the other hand, takes one session, and almost everyone is completely satisfied.
How is Laser Teeth Whitening Done?
Also called laser teeth bleaching, this procedure is done in the dentist’s office like other professional methods. A gel is applied to the teeth and then the laser activities crystals within the gel. These get into the tooth enamel and whiten it. While in-office bleaching can take a few sessions to lighten your teeth from 3 to 6 shades, laser teeth whitening can lighten your teeth by a whopping 10 shades in a single, one-hour treatment.
In rare cases where teeth discoloration is extreme, a second and possibly even a third laser treatment may be necessary to achieve the desired shade. But in most cases, one session is enough to get your teeth to the level of white you want.
Of course, because you walk in with teeth that are one shade and walk out with teeth that are up to 10 shades lighter, people will notice the difference immediately. It’s a much less subtle difference than other methods. But the results are there for you to see instantly, which can be satisfying.
When you’re considering laser teeth whitening, you should consider the ongoing cost. Teeth bleaching is not permanent. The teeth will almost always darken back to their original shade over time. The $400 paid for an in-office tray and gel bleaching treatment will have to be paid again, usually in 6 and 12 months. If you pay $1,000 or more for laser teeth whitening, you’ll have to repeat that procedure as well to keep your teeth the same, light shade. It lasts longer, but you’ll still be paying for the procedure at least every year-and-a-half and possibly annually, depending on your teeth and your habits.
When Laser Teeth Whitening is the Best Option
If you want to get your teeth whitened but you already have sensitive teeth, you may have been putting it off because of the side effects. Using the bleaching gel in the trays can make teeth more sensitive until after the treatment has stopped. For someone with sensitive teeth, this can be extremely uncomfortable. Laser teeth whitening only requires the gel to be on the teeth for an hour or so, so the potential for sensitivity is greatly diminished.
