Procedure
In reality, laser whitening treatments do not specifically require the use of a laser, merely a strong light source. Lasers work well for this type of procedure, however, because of their ability to precisely deliver high intensity light beams. For laser whitening, the dentist first will first apply the whitening solution to your teeth, which may come in the form of a paste or a gel. Next the dentist will expose the whitening compound to an energy source, such as heat, or light. Laser whitening uses laser beams to provide this energy. The energy is absorbed by the chemicals in the whitening compound and allows them to work faster and penetrate deeper into the teeth, which speeds up the process and allows for a teeth whitening treatment that only take 60 to 90 minutes to perform.
Whitening Compound
There are many different kinds of compounds that are used for teeth whitening. The most common ones are peroxide based. Peroxide is a weakly oxidizing acid. Oxidizing compounds are able to engage in certain chemical reactions with other substances, such as stains on the teeth (bleach also is an oxidizer). However, the peroxide solutions need to be weak to minimize the risk of damaging the teeth or other nearby tissue. When the laser light hits the peroxide compound, it causes the peroxide molecules to react more quickly with the stains and pigments on the teeth. This chemical reaction can destroy or loosen the stains and causes "bleaching" of the teeth, making them noticeably whiter.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Laser whitening has a number of advantages over other tooth whitening methods. For one thing, it provides longer lasting results and can often show significant results with just one treatment. The main drawback of laser whitening is its cost. According to the Charles Dental Group, laser whitening can cost between $5 to $1500. Laser whitening may also cause increased tooth sensitivity compared to other teeth-whitening procedures.
