People with white teeth are perceived to be more attractive and healthier than those with discolored or stained teeth. They also tend to be preferred when hiring for customer facing positions where they are required to interact with clients with a smile. As such, it is becoming more desirable to have a pearly white smile. If your teeth are not as white as you would like, you can have them whitened. Two of the more popular methods of whitening teeth are laser and zoom.
Laser whitening
This is a very effective way of getting rid of discoloration and staining of the teeth. It makes use of laser technology and leaves them brighter and whiter than before. It works quite simply by having a gel with a peroxide base applied to the teeth. The dentist will take great care to ensure that your gums are not touched by it.
A laser is then used to induce a chemical reaction which will break down the stains and brighten the teeth. Since the laser emits a narrow light beam, the dentist has to do one tooth at a time. This means that the length of the procedure will depend on the number of teeth that need whitening.
Zoom whitening
This is also a bleaching process that turns your teeth white. The procedure will be carried out in the dental office, in the same way as a laser procedure. Again, a hydrogen peroxide gel will be applied on your teeth after the gums and lips have been protected. Once the gel is applied, a zoom lamp is activated for 15 minutes. The teeth are all targeted at the same time, and the heat from the lamp induces a chemical reaction that brightens them.
The recommendation is that one has 3 sessions each lasting 15 minutes. There is significant improvement to the coloration of teeth by the end of the 3rd session and many do not require any more sessions.
Differences between Zoom and laser whitening
There are several differences between the two as follows:
- Whereas laser whitening can only target a tooth at a time, zoom can do them all at once. As such, zoom gives an even rate of reaction and the results are more consistent.
- Laser whitening does not filter out infrared rays while zoom does. As such, laser produces more heat and exposes you to infrared rays for an extended period of time.
- Zoom whitening is faster than laser whitening. The results are faster with zoom whitening.
- If you have teeth that are fairly sensitive, you may have a difficult time with back-to-back zoom whitening sessions and laser may be a better option.
- If you need a specific tooth whitened, then laser works better because it is able to target one tooth at a time.
To discuss what is ideal for you, it is best to get in touch with your Tijuana dentist for a consultation. He or she will be better placed to advise on which of the two procedures would work best for your particular case.
