If you’re like millions of Canadians with stained and yellowed teeth, how often have you wished your teeth could be white again? It’s the most common cosmetic dentistry goal out there considering how easily teeth are stained by so many things we eat and drink. Getting whiter teeth is achievable and in lots of different ways ranging from over-the-counter DIY kits to chairside bleaching and even laser-based teeth whitening in Red Deer.
Maybe you’ve tried using gums, mouthwash and even whitening strips from a grocery store to whiten your teeth. Were you impressed with the results? Or disappointed? Whitening strips and gels can produce some small and gradual whitening effects over time, but only after repeated applications over a lengthy period. For faster, more dramatic, safer and more comfortable results, you’re better off relying on professionals. Your dentist in Red Deer can produce whiter teeth quickly and comfortably without wasting time and money.
Even when it comes to getting professional teeth whitening near you, you have at least a couple of options: professional bleaching and laser whitening? What does each option involve?
What are the pros and cons of bleaching?
Your Red Deer dentist will apply a paste made of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to your teeth using dental trays. The paste releases oxygen that penetrates the stained sections of your teeth enamel to chemically break down discoloration on your teeth. Bleaching can be done by your dentist in their office, or your dentist near you can provide you with trays to wear at home. If you opt for that at-home option, you’ll wear each tray for half an hour to two hours for several days in a row to achieve the results you want.
One of the biggest advantages of bleaching is that it’s a relatively comfortable process you can perform while you sleep or carry on your day to day activities. Trays are thin, clear, comfortable and hold the bleaching products in precisely the locations required to whiten your teeth. Bleaching is a far less expensive alternative than laser whitening.
The main disadvantage of bleaching is that it will require more applications than you would need to achieve whitening with lasers. Ironically, though, you’ll probably finish the bleaching process faster than laser whitening because there will be gaps between your whitening sessions.
What are the pros and cons of laser whitening?
Whitening your teeth with lasers also uses bleaching trays that hold bleaching compounds on your teeth to dissolve stains. A carbon dioxide or argon laser is shone onto those trays to heat the oxygen and accelerate the bleaching process. Laser whitening is performed over 30-minute sessions separated by 10 days or so. In some cases, dentists will suggest you also wear trays at night to supplement the whitening effect produced by the lasers.
The main advantages of laser whitening are that they usually require just two to four treatments in less than an hour (albeit separated by a week or two). With laser whitening, you may see results immediately.
On the other hand, there are disadvantages of laser whitening. Two significant disadvantages are that you may experience significant tooth sensitivity and you may need to leave a week or two between appointments or teeth whitening in Red Deer. Beyond those comfort and timeline-related factors, the most significant disadvantage of laser whitening compared to bleaching is cost. Laser-based treatment is far more expensive than professional bleaching.
The bottom line is this: When it comes to whitening your teeth, you’ve got lots of options. Which one is best for you will depend on a lot of factors, including your budget, your timeline, the cause of the stains on your teeth, your goals, and your vulnerability to tooth sensitivity. To find out which option is best for helping you to achieve more beautiful teeth, make an appointment with a dentist near you.