What is laser teeth whitening?

If you’re considering laser teeth whitening treatment to get your smile dazzling white, we have the information you need to help you make the best decision for you. We’ll explain how laser teeth whitening works, post-treatment care, side effect, laser teeth whitening cost and more. 

To start, laser teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental treatment that’s performed by a dental professional. It includes adding a whitening solution to your teeth, then applying a special laser light to the whitening solution to speed up the whitening process. 

Laser teeth whitening has become really popular over the years because of the fast, dramatic results it can give you. However, it’s good to remember that results will be different for everyone, so you should chat to your dental professional, who’ll be able to guide you on what you can expect after the laser whitening treatment. 

How does laser teeth whitening work?

Laser teeth whitening works by applying a whitening gel that contains a bleaching agent to your teeth, then applying a special laser light to your teeth to activate and speed up the whitening. This is what you can generally expect when you go for laser teeth whitening treatment:

Before the whitening:

  • Your dental professional will use a colour chart to determine the exact shade of your teeth. They’ll use this again once the laser teeth whitening treatment is finished to show you the results. 

  • Sometimes your dental professional may take a before and after photo to show you the comparison after the procedure. 

  • Before they start the procedure, they’ll make sure your eyes, gums, lips and the area around your mouth are well protected and don’t get exposed to the whitening solution and laser light.

The whitening procedure

  • Your dental professional will start the laser whitening treatment by carefully applying the whitening gel to your teeth. 

  • They’ll then use a specialised dental laser light to activate the gel and start the teeth whitening process. The laser light speeds up the chemical reaction of the whitening gel to break down stains and discolouration.

  • Depending on the type of laser whitening treatment your dental professional is using, they may need to reapply the teeth whitening gel and laser light more than once.

  • Once the laser whitening treatment is finished, your dental professional will thoroughly rinse the whitening gel from your teeth.

Post-treatment care

After your dental professional has finished your laser teeth whitening, they’ll take you through after-care instructions. This may be different from one dental professional to another, but here is some of the advice your dental professional might give you for the first 48 hours after your laser whitening treatment: 

1. Only eat and drink white foods and drinks and avoid any dark coloured food and drink to protect your teeth from stains, including berries, green vegetables, curries tea, coffee, red wine etc.

2. Try not to smoke or chew tobacco products as this can also stain your teeth.

3. Don’t use any coloured mouthwash or toothpaste.

Here are some things you can do do keep your teeth as white as possible and maintain your laser teeth whitening results in the months and years following your treatment:

  • Try to avoid too many dark-coloured foods and drinks because they can causing staining over time. 

  • Try use a straw to drink dark coloured drinks.

  • Brush your teeth with a good whitening toothpaste that’s safe for enamel and floss regularly.

  • Visit your dental professional regularly to professionally clean your teeth and for checkups.

What whitening agents are used in laser teeth whitening

Your dental professional will use one of two whitening agents during your laser whitening treatment. The first is hydrogen peroxide and the second is carbamide peroxide. Here’s a run down of each of them: 

Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide releases an oxygen molecule that penetrates below your enamel surface and causes a chemical reaction with stains. This chemical reaction resolves staining, both on your tooth surface and below the enamel, to give you whiter teeth without harming their structure. 

Carbamide peroxide

Carbamide peroxide is quite similar to hydrogen peroxide. It’s a mix of hydrogen peroxide and a chemical compound called carbamide or urea. Even though it’s slightly different from hydrogen peroxide, it works in the same way. 

When to use laser teeth whitening

There are many reasons why you might want to choose laser teeth whitening. Here are a few things that people often consider before deciding on laser whitening treatment:

1. Staining and discolouration: If you’ve used over-the-counter whitening products like whitening toothpaste, teeth whitening kits, teeth whitening pens or strips, but don’t feel they’re giving you the results you need, you might want to consider laser teeth whitening. 

2. Specific results: You might have a specific result in mind that you might not be able to get with over-the-counter whitening products. In this case, you should chat to your dental professional to see if you can get the result you’re looking for with laser whitening treatment. 

3. Fast results: If you want fast results, you might consider laser teeth whitening. You’ll usually get results in just one session, but sometimes it may take more. 

4. Professional supervision: If you’re worried about applying whitening products to your teeth by yourself and prefer your dental professional’s experience, laser teeth whitening may be for you. 

Laser teeth whitening side effects

Laser teeth whitening is generally considered to be safe, but some people may experience tooth or gum sensitivity for a short time afterwards. Your dental professional will talk you through any of the potential side effects and will also help you to manage any of the potential side effects. 

Alternatives to laser teeth whitening

At-home whitening kits

An at-home teeth whitening kit is a great way to get a brighter, whiter smile. Look out for kits from reputable brands that are clinically proven. Some kits will also come with LED lights that help to speed up the whitening process.  

Whitening strips

Teeth whitening strips are thin, flexible pieces of plastic or polyethylene that are coated with a whitening gel. You’ll “stick” the strips onto the top and bottom rows of your teeth to whiten them. 

Teeth whitening pens

A teeth whitening pen is a pen-like device that you’ll use to “paint” a whitening serum onto your teeth. They’re designed to be really convenient and easy-to-use. The pen usually consists of a plastic tube with a brush applicator that you’ll use to apply the whitening serum to your teeth.

How much does laser teeth whitening cost

Laser teeth whitening cost will differ from one dental professional to another. It will also depend on the specific type of laser whitening treatment you get. However, you can expect the laser teeth whitening cost to range between £200 to £1000. Get in touch with your dental professional for exact costs.