How to Get Your Pearly Whites to Shine Bright Again Using Lasers
Posted on: 19 February 2015
Teeth naturally darken as you age. The effects of coffee, smoking, genetics, and aging can discolor your teeth and make them much darker than they were when you were young. There are many over the counter and natural home remedies you can use to try and brighten your teeth, but to get your teeth really white for a longer time, you should go to dentist. Some dentists are now using laser technology to brighten teeth. Here is how a dentist can use lasers to restore the bright smile you once had in your younger days.
Screening Process
Your dentist will make sure that laser whitening will be appropriate for your situation. Women who are pregnant and those who have not reached adulthood yet are typically not good candidates for this type of treatment.
Also, those suffering from gum disease to the point where the roots of their teeth are exposed are not considered to be good candidates as well. Your dentist will usually present other whitening options better suited to your situation.
Getting Your Teeth Ready
The dentist, or their assistant, will thoroughly clean your teeth before they start the procedure. The dentist will also make sure that any cavities you might have are filled before whitening. This will prevent the whitening agent from getting inside an exposed tooth.
Whitening your teeth using lasers has been known to cause inflammation and pain among some patients. The dentist might have you take an anti-inflammatory drug to reduce any discomfort that might occur as they treat your teeth.
Whitening Process
The dentist will typically insert a plastic guard in your mouth to keep it open while they work. Then the dentist will apply a gel-like substance to your gums. The gel will harden into rubber-like substance that will protect your gums from the effects of the laser. The whitening agent is usually pressed onto your teeth using a syringe. The laser is used to activate the whitening agent so it releases oxygen ions. You should expect the gel to foam up a little bit.
The ions get under the stains on your teeth and lift them up so they dentist can wipe them away. The dentist will usually use a vacuum tool to remove the gel and stain from your teeth. The dentist will remove the rubber-like barrier from your gums when they are done whitening your teeth and then have you rinse your mouth out to remove any remaining whitening agent and foam in your mouth.
Laser treatment should be done by a trained professional. If you are thinking of using laser to whiten your teeth, call a local clinic such as Advanced Family Dental Care LLC to answer any questions and set up a dental appointment.
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