LASER TEETH WHITENING VERSUS PROFESSIONAL TRAYS

When you make the decision to whiten your teeth, you will find that you have a few different options for how to do so. There are certain, less invasive options that can be done at-home (such as whitening toothpaste), there are more intensive at-home options (like whitening strips) and then there are professional whitening services. In order to understand which is right for you, it’s important to have an understanding of what teeth whitening is, and what sets professional whitening apart.

What Teeth Whitening Is

If your teeth are yellow or simply aren’t the brightest shade possible, you may be considering different options for improving the shade of your teeth. All of these options are considered “teeth whitening” treatments. There are varying degrees of intensity for whitening, and not all patients need professional-grade whitening. For patients that have more severe discoloration that cannot be improved with an at-home toothpaste, mouthwash or gum, professional whitening options may need to be considered. While the over-the-counter whitening strips option is available, this degree of whitening should be done under the supervision of your dentist.

Professional Whitening Options

For patients that need a more intensive level of whitening, it is highly suggested to have a dentist complete the services. While at-home strips can provide good results, they can also be dangerous to a patient’s teeth. It’s important to have a dentist take a look at the enamel of your teeth before you undergo any form of advanced whitening (including whitening strips) to ensure your teeth are strong enough to handle the whitening solution.

If you decide to allow a dentist to help you with your teeth whitening, you will likely be given two different options, which are listed below:

Laser Whitening

Laser whitening is becoming very popular, as it allows a patient to see nearly instantaneous results. With as little as one visit, a patient can see a dramatic change in the appearance of their teeth. This is done by using a peroxide paste that is heated by a CO2 laser. While laser whitening provides excellent and fast results, it can also be much more expensive. Generally, each laser whitening will cost around $350. Because whitening is not permanent, these costs can add up over time.

At-Home Trays

Another option for patients is at-home whitening. At-home whitening allows for a very similar degree of whitening, but it takes a little longer to accomplish. With at-home whitening, your dentist will provide you with a tray and whitening solution. How long you are able to wear the tray each day will depend on the level of sensitivity of your teeth. Because of this, whitening may take a few weeks. Still, the cost is lower—generally around $250.

Which Is Right for Me?

The decision between laser teeth whitening and whitening trays will depend on a few different factors—including cost. Speak with your cosmetic dentist about which form of whitening is right for your specific teeth and budget.

Drs. Leal, Spangler & Johnson, located in Winston-Salem, NC, offer teeth whitening to help bring luster back to your smile. Contact our office for a consultation or to schedule teeth whitening today.

If you're interested in learning more about teeth whitening, here's some further reading on some of the options available to you.