Wishing for teeth as ‘white as snow’ this holiday season? Try Laser Whitening.
Everyone wants whiter teeth. In the 19th century barbers, who also served as dentists, would frequently file the outer surface of a tooth and apply an acid to whiten their client’s teeth. Even in ancient times the average person desired a beautiful, white smile. Roman physicians would apply ammonia to teeth seeking a ‘pearly look.’ Surprisingly the source of the ammonia was in the form of urea.
Modern times have brought about improved methods for whitening teeth. Just visit any grocery store and you are likely to see an entire aisle that is dedicated to tooth whitening. From strips, to gels, to trays, a whole host of products are available.
In the past 15 years many dentists have also offered ‘in office’ tooth whitening. This usually requires the patient to sit, wearing eye protection, under a very bright light. The bright light slowly activates the bleach that is applied to the teeth. Results from this procedure are good or fair, depending on whom you ask.
For the most part, in my opinion, the average whitening product does a decent job. Common sense would say that any time a bleaching solution can have prolonged close contact with a tooth, better results should be expected. Based on this conclusion, custom made bleaching trays have become the most popular option and dentists frequently perform this service.
An even more modern method for tooth whitening now involves the use of laser technology. A laser can have multiple uses for dentistry like treatment of mouth ulcers, removal of unnecessary tissue lesions, or making it easier to access decayed tooth structure. A laser can also be used to whiten teeth. The dentist first cleans the plaque off the teeth, applies a protective gingival barrier, paints each tooth with bleach, and then activates the bleach with the laser. The laser emits a specific wavelength that serves to activate the bleach and break up the external stain of the tooth. No anesthetic is required. Results from this procedure have been good. The entire appointment usually takes about 45 minutes. Follow-up visits may be necessary.
At my office, we offer all forms of bleaching. Our in-office laser treatment includes a 45 minute laser session, take home ‘touch up’ strips, and fluoride strips to treat any sensitivity. If our patients prefer, we are willing to make bleaching trays instead of providing the ‘touch up’ strips. We are pleased to offer this service and would be happy to provide you with more information. Please call or email us if you would like to get scheduled.
Dr. C
