Laser teeth whitening vs. whitening trays
Have you recently been hearing more of your friends and family are investing in professional laser dumfries teeth whitening? It is true, the professional teeth whitening approach is becoming increasingly more popular. You may be wondering how laser whitening works and why is it more popular than other methods? Below is more information for you about laser teeth whitening treatments, including how the treatment works and how the treatment method differs from traditional whitening approaches.
How does laser treatment work?
It may be a bit odd to think about a dentist using a laser to whiten teeth. In fact, the laser treatment approach to whitening is quick and pain-free. The treatment is completed in just a few simple steps:
- Once the patient is prepped, the dentist will apply a peroxide whitening paste to the surface of the teeth.
- Next the dentist will heat the paste using the laser. While this sounds uncomfortable, the patient barely feels a thing.
These steps can be completed over several treatment visits, each about 30 minutes in length. After just a few visits, the teeth will be stain-free.
Laser teeth whitening vs. teeth whitening trays
The most common approach to teeth whitening is the use of custom-made professional whitening trays. Whitening trays are usually custom ordered from a dentist after a molding of the teeth is taken. These whitening trays also use peroxide paste or gel, similar to the laser treatment, that is absorbed into the enamel of the teeth to break down stains. The trays need to be worn nightly for a few days up to a few weeks.
Pros and Cons of laser teeth whitening
Just like all dental treatments, there are pros and cons to laser teeth whitening treatment. Here are few to consider:
Pros
- Quicker results: As opposed to whitening trays, laser treatment usually takes 2-4 treatment visits which are almost always under 60 minutes.
- Professional oversight: The dentist is responsible for the application of the treatment and can monitor its effectiveness.
- Longer results: The results usually last longer than the results of wearing trays for several weeks.
Cons
- Cost: The cost of laser treatment is almost double the cost of whitening trays. A complete laser treatment can cost approximately $1,000, making this the most expensive of the various teeth whitening treatment methods.
- Annual follow-up: Laser treatment is not permanent, and annual treatment is required.
- Dental visits: Multiple dental visits are required for laser treatment, while tray whitening treatments can be done independently in your own home.
If you don’t mind the price, professional laser treatments are performed by trained professionals and require less time to reach desired results. If you can’t stomach the extra costs, your dentist will be able to provide you professional guidance to help you with your professional whitening trays. They will order you trays and help you determine how often and how much whitening gel you need to get your desired results. The cost of professional whitening with trays may be expensive up front, but the added cost of the maintenance treatment after the trays are made is minimal, approximately $30 per year.
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