Laser Teeth Whitening or Home Whitening?

A common question in cosmetic dentistry is: what is the difference between laser teeth whitening and home teeth whitening kits? This short article written by one of the lead cosmetic dentists of the Perfect Smile Spa dental practice should help answer the question.

There are 3 options:

Zoom Laser teeth whitening - a one hour treatment in the dental practice.
Home teeth whitening - custom trays made for your teeth which takes 10-14 days to work.
Combination of ‘zoom’ and home - both of the above, zoom 1st followed by home.

What’s best?
The combination treatment is the best as it works the quickest and lasts the longest, but it depends on what you want and it is important to consider the following issues.

Cost of teeth whitening
The combination costs more (£570), the laser on its own is £495 and the home on its own is £220. Depending on the individual, the home is best value for money but the combination is the quickest!

Time
The home whitening takes about 10 -14 days to work and you have to wear the trays an hour a day. The laser is done in an hour.

How long does teeth whitening last?
The ‘zoom’ laser whitening can last 1-3 years…The home whitening can last for many years as you can top up when you wish and the same for the combination treatment.

Be aware
Always go to a cosmetic dentist for teeth whitening and not an unregistered person. This will ensure the best diagnosis and treatment is carried out for you. Over the counter teeth whitening products have very little effect. A good dental practice will always give you good aftercare.

Alternatives to teeth whitening
If you do not wish for whiter teeth but just want the stains removed, visiting the dental hygienist will improve this. If you want instant perfect teeth that will not discolor then porcelain veneers are an option.

Why do teeth discolor?
Teeth can discolor due to age, medication, food colorings and drinks such as tea, coffee and red wine. Tobacco can also stain teeth.

Success rates
At Perfect Smile Spa we have a 100% success rate with teeth whitening as our cosmetic dentist will assess your mouth and advise what’s best for you! We consistently achieve an improvement of 6-10 shades and with minimal side effects. Contact us on 01708 442 114.