Professional Trays vs Laser Teeth Whitening Services

If you have stubborn stains stuck on your teeth that you can’t get rid of you may be considering having your teeth whitened. There are several different approaches that you can take to have this take place. For a long time, the most popular way of whitening your smile was professional or at home teeth bleaching. More recently though, the popularity of another treatment, laser teeth whitening, has begun to grow. Both have their pros and cons, which should be considered thoroughly before choosing.

Why get your teeth whitened?

If you have found that you have stubborn stains that won’t go away with regular dental visits and cleanings, you may feel like you are a good candidate for a whitening procedure. Whiter teeth are a sure fire way to improve your confidence and feel comfortable with your smile. If you think you are a candidate you should consult your dentist first, before determining which method of whitening is right for you.

What is the laser method?

The laser method is a new procedure that is quickly taking the dental field by storm. The process works by covering your teeth in a condensed bleaching gel similar to gels used in the more traditional tray method. Once the gel has been put on the teeth, a laser is used to heat up the peroxide. The laser is a way to accelerate the bleaching process.

Laser vs. Traditional Trays

Although the laser method is becoming popular, there are some pros and cons to consider when comparing it to the traditional tray whitening method. In terms of the amount of applications, the laser treatment requires many less application. Most laser whitenings can be completed in two to four sittings. The professional trays however can take many more treatments to get the same level of whiteness. Additionally, the laser method is always done under explicit dental supervision to minimize the complications of tooth sensitivity, which is a common side effect of traditional bleaching trays. Dentists use various tools to minimize the effects of the laser treatment.

There are several cons to the laser method however. For one, your treatments must be spaced out one to two weeks apart. This means that although, you have less total treatments, you may end up waiting the same total amount of time that you would for traditional bleaching. Additionally, the treatments have to be done in a dental office, which can be intrusive on your schedule, unlike at home bleaching trays, which you can do when you want, or at night. One of the biggest cons is the cost. Traditional, professionally molded trays that are customized to your mouth can run around five hundred dollars. Laser teeth whitening on the other hand can cost well over one thousand.

When considering which method is right for you, it is important to consult your dentists. Ultimately, the laser method is faster with more dramatic results, but is quite expensive. The traditional whitening trays are a little slower, but cost a lot less and can be done at your own convenience. Either way, a brighter smile will await you.

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