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Facts About Teeth Whitening With the Use of Light

by Isobel Washington

Overview

Facts About Teeth Whitening With the Use of Light

The smile is often the first noticeable aspect of a person's appearance, and Americans are incresingly obsessed with achieving the perfect pearly-white smile. With the wide variety of teeth whitening products and treatments on the market, achieving a bright white smile is not a difficult task for most people with healthy teeth. Toothpastes, whitening strips, home bleaching kits and even new types of mouthwash bare the promise of whitening effects on their front labels. In response to market forces and the substantial increase in demand for whitening treatments, most dentists now offer laser whitening as a basic cosmetic service, which uses laser light to whiten teeth. Professional teeth whitening with the use of light is a quick and effective way to make teeth up to ten shades whiter with one treatment.
Causes of Darkening Teeth

Teeth begin to darken naturally as people age. The outer enamel of the tooth weakens and thins with age, and increasingly reveals the darker tissue beneath. This is a natural cause of darkening teeth, but most other causes are not natural, and can be easily prevented. The use of tobacco products has a major effect on the shade of the teeth, causing them to turn yellow, and after time and incessant use, turn brown, both on the front and back sides of the teeth. Coffee and tea also stain the teeth, especially when hevay caffeine habits are combined with negligent dental care. Some fruits cause the teeth to darken as well. Also, certain medications, such as tetracycline, effect the shade of the teeth. Patients should inquire on the side effects of their prescriptions, since teeth darkening is one side effect often left off of the label.

Professional Whitening Candidates

Laser teeth whitening can be effectively performed on virtually all adult teeth, including sensitive teeth. Because of its high cost, however, the majority of patients are those with drastically stained teeth that don't yield adequate visible improvement from off-the-shelf teeth whitening treatments. The procedure guarantees these patients dramatic visible results. Other patients simply use laser whitening as a fast, effective, and lasting method for brightening the smile to its "whitest" potential.
The Procedure

Whitening teeth with the use of light is a procedure that should be performed exclusively by dentists. A deep cleaning and total removal of plaque along the gum line is the first step. Then the dentist thickly applies a peroxide-based, professional strength gel over the teeth. The gel is activated by a special laser light, which activates and energizes the gel formula. Within an hour, the teeth turn up to ten shades lighter.
Cost

The cost of whitening varies greatly, ranging from $300 to $2,000 per treatment session (as of September 2009). The cost depends on a variety of factors, including geographic location and its local competition, the technology used and the patient's desired results. It also depends on the dentist, since a dentist trying to establish him or herself in a local market may offer a discount in order to attract new patients, while a reputable, highly successful dentist may sustain a price on the higher end of the spectrum.
Benefits

Professional laser whitening is an expensive option, compared to home products and treatments, but laser treatment's guaranteed effectiveness, and immediate results make it a favorable option for many patients. Whitening strips and bleaching trays, on the other hand, require daily use over an extended period of time, in order to produce effects that are not comparable to those yielded with professional laser whitening. This is also favorable for people with sensitive teeth, who only have to endure one treatment session, versus continued discomfort brought on by daily use of shelf-bought products.
Considerations

Professional laser whitening will not work on teeth with cosmetic coverings. Veneers and crowns, for example, are unaffected by professional laser whitening treatment, no matter how strong the formula or advanced the technology that is used. These materials are impossible to whiten, even slightly.