FAQs – Laser Teeth Whitening and Tooth Enamel

Laser teeth whitening is a quick way to have whiter, brighter teeth. Even so, some people are still apprehensive about it. Most of them worry about what the treatment can do to the enamel. If you want to know more about laser teeth whitening and what it can do to your tooth enamel, here are the details.

What happens during laser teeth whitening?

Laser teeth whitening is a quick procedure. It takes about an hour or even less. The dentist will cover the soft tissues of the mouth, gums, and lips. Then, the dentist will apply the whitening gel to the teeth. Exposure to the laser light activates the whitening gel. The dentist leaves the gel on the teeth for about 15 minutes.

The dentist repeats the process about three or four times within the hour. Meanwhile, the patient can listen to music or relax. The light activates the hydrogen peroxide in the gel. Hydrogen peroxide breaks the carbon bonds of the stains. The dentist can adjust the intensity of the light to lower the level of tooth sensitivity. Any discomfort will disappear after the treatment.

What are the benefits of a laser teeth whitening treatment?

This type of whitening treatment causes less sensitivity. The dentist makes sure that the gums, lips, and soft tissues of the mouth have protection against the whitening gel. Over-the-counter whitening trays cannot provide this kind of shielding. The whitening gel tends to smear over all parts of the mouth. This tends to hurt the patient.

The whitening results of laser teeth whitening are instant. It takes 20 minutes to apply the gel and expose it to light. The procedure lasts for an hour if the patient includes cleanup and setup. The teeth can whiten up to four to six shades.

Is laser teeth whitening harmful to the enamel?

Laser teeth whitening is not harmful to the enamel. This whitening system does not damage the enamel at all. Dentin is the dental layer that provides the tooth’s color. The whitening gel seeps into the dentin. Here, the gel will break down the stains and lighten the dentin.

Why are there visible lines on the enamel of some patients after laser teeth whitening?

The lines have always been there. Seeing them after laser teeth whitening shows how thin the teeth are in some areas. Dentin is yellow by nature. As the enamel becomes thinner, it exposes the dentin layer.

It may also be a sign of mineral deficiency in the teeth or hypocalcification. This can happen if the patient does not maintain oral hygiene practices. White marks can appear after laser teeth whitening because of teeth dehydration. Thankfully, this is a short-term effect.