Process Of Teeth Lightening

Although the process of teeth whitening is a relatively straight forward one and more so than ever these days, there is no guarantee that the teeth will bleach to a lighter shade. The only way of knowing whether teeth will respond is to try the treatment. There is always the possibility that further treatment will be required following the initial treatment.

Success rates of bleaching have been published by numerous researchers. However the success rates vary and there are many reasons for these differences. The question of the chances for success is always one of the things that a patient will want to know but there must always be the knowledge that the success rate is not 100%. Hopefully the dentist will discuss this before beginning the treatment.

Not all teeth are responsive to treatment and not all teeth respond at the same rate. Some peoples teeth can whiten to the lightest shade on the shade guide while the next person may only respond with the slightest degree of lightening.

Laser Teeth Whitening

Laser teeth whitening is a technology that brightens teeth quickly by the dentist. Smartbleach is a laser tooth whitening treatment performed by the dentist that promises you whiter teeth almost immediately. Smartbleach is carried out with the use of a laser light and peroxide gel.

The step by step application process sounds similar to a number of other products in use and are as follows:

• The teeth and gums are cleaned and dried by the dentist before a protective layer is placed on the gums.


• The special Smartbleach red gel is applied to the teeth.


• Each tooth is then exposed to the laser light for around 30 seconds. According to the advertising the patient should either feel a slight tingling sensation or nothing at all.


• The gel is then removed and the mouth is rinsed out.


• This process is repeated for three applications with the entire treatment taking from 1 to 1-1/4 hours.


• Finally the teeth are given a fluoride treatment activated by the Smartbleach laser to protect them and build up resistance against decay.

Although it sounds similar, the technology behind the Smartbleach laser teeth whitening process is subtly different. The Smartbleach laser produces a light from the green color spectrum which is then applied to a red gel. The gel is a non-acidic preparation of hydrogen peroxide. The idea is that the complementary colors of the laser and the gel interact to reach large, light absorbing molecules in the teeth which are changed into smaller molecules. A photo–chemical reaction takes place. The laser and gel penetrate through the outer enamel and into the dentin layer. The smaller molecules give more light reflective surface to the teeth. The result is whiter teeth.