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You are a modern man or woman on the go. You need the world to "bottom line it" so you can maximize your time, network with clients, socialize with friends and bond with your family. A beautiful smile is at the top of your action items, but again, you don't have the time, or inclination, to spend 10-12 weeks brightening your smile with take-home trays. You want a "bottom line" teeth whitening procedure.
Enter the ah-ma-zing laser -- it can whiten your smile in just one appointment at your dentist's office. Laser teeth whitening is the wave of the future (as is laser dentistry, in general). In just one appointment your teeth can lighten anywhere from 5-10 shades.
Wondrous as this is, laser teeth whitening has been a routine practice since it was approved for use in 1996 by the Federal Drug Administration. Many brands exist, but the fundamentals remain the same.
The How and the Why
Lasers were developed for teeth whitening in response to consumer complaints that traditional bleaching was too painful and resulted in inflammation. Lasers, on the other hand, can be focused on a very specific area to avoid these effects.
The process of teeth whitening is a lengthy one, involving several hours in a dental chair. A full third of this time, however, is taken to ensure the surrounding teeth and soft tissues of the mouth are protected with beeswax against the active ingredients used to whiten teeth.
The type of laser used will be selected by the dentist. When you discuss each option with your cosmetic dentist, he or she will explain the details of each process. The argon laser is most typically used for laser teeth whitening. The laser activates the chemicals placed on the teeth. The light emitted from the laser speeds up the chemical reaction and color change is attained.
Your dentist will then use a fluoride treatment on your teeth once the process in complete. This both strengthens your teeth and leaves a lustrous shimmer in its wake. Laser whitening is in the top tier in terms of tooth whitening costs, but this is more than made up for by the convenience and speed at which it can be accomplished.
As with any teeth whitening process, the effects will last based on how you take care of your teeth after optimal color has been reached. Dentists recommend the total avoidance of the top five culprits of tooth-tarnish: coffee, tea, blueberries, tobacco and dark soda. These should be abstained from completely for the first week.
With most laser teeth whitening, your dentist will give you a custom-fit tray to use for color maintenance.
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