WHICH ONE SHOULD I DO? Laser or trays?
Teeth whitening is probably the most popular and conservative cosmetic procedure we do. Most people are a candidate for teeth whitening. People often want to know which way is better. Doing the in-office laser whitening or using trays at home? The answer depends on many factors.
First one must make sure they are a candidate for teeth whitening. Most people are. Things that would exclude a patient are previous dental work on teeth needing whitening. Dental work does not change color. So if you have any crowns or fillings on your front teeth they will not change color and you'll be left needing to replace dental work to match your new shade. This is why many over-the-counter products should be avoided because you may be in for a surprise when certain teeth don't bleach. This is easily detected by a dentist so that you are aware of this before hand. This is why anyone needing dental work should make sure they are happy with the color of their teeth and if not, they should whiten before the work is performed.
Also, certain types of staining will just not bleach. Tetracycline staining or other major internal staining will not bleach out and may require veneers to change the color of the tooth. Also teeth with very thin or no enamel will not bleach as well.
When it comes to whitening, concentration of bleach and time are the 2 most important factors. Over-the-counter concentrations are not strong enough to make much difference. Only a dentist can provide a concentration strong enough to significantly whiten teeth.
In office laser whitening uses the highest concentration. It's so high that we can't send it home with you for fear of damage to the gums and surrounding tissue. That is why we retract the lips and put barriers on all the tissue so no bleach comes in contact with anything other then the teeth. The procedure takes about an hour and definitely produces the quickest results. Sensitivity is minor or non-existent as desensitizer is placed on the teeth during the procedure.
Take home whitening uses custom made trays that are used to hold the bleach close to the teeth for a couple of hours. This method is also highly effective but requires much diligence as some people take a long time to bleach. I recommend patients put the trays in and go to bed with them in. The bleach will eventually neutralize and you won't over bleach. This process can take up to 6 months or more depending on how well your teeth bleach and your desired final outcome. On average 6-8 weeks is required. Sensitivity is minimal due to desensitizer mixed in with our bleach.
For someone serious about tooth whitening we recommend a combination of the two. An in-office treatment combined with a short time of home whitening usually delivers great results. The take home trays can then be used for maintenance every so often.
Whitening is very safe and a great way to begin improving your smile. We are usually running promotions with teeth whitening, so check our office for more details.
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