Laser Teeth Whitening | Dr. David Rodrick Laser Dentist Centennial Colorado

Laser Teeth Whitening results in bright, white teeth Immediately after the procedure is finished.

the consumer’s guide to laser teeth whitening

A Complete Guide To Laser Teeth Whitening, How It Works, Benefits & Costs

By Dr. David Rodrick, Expert Laser Dentist in Centennial, Colorado

Welcome to this Laser Teeth Whitening Consumer Guide. It’s no surprise that teeth whitening, as well as laser teeth whitening, have become so popular in recent years. Healthy white and bright teeth look attractive and can transform a smile. A bright, white smile affects both personal and professional success: there’s plenty of research that confirms that looking good helps you find a better job or get that promotion. Having a beautiful, white smile from teeth whitening, particularly laser teeth whitening, can also help a person’s confidence in their personal and professional life – and laser teeth whitening is a very affordable and easy dental procedure.

What Is Laser Teeth Whitening?

Laser teeth whitening is a technique that lightens teeth to a whiter and brighter color with the use of a strong dental bleaching gel that is activated by a laser beam. Laser bleaching is done at dental offices, and it takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour for the procedure to be completed. (The laser teeth whitening bleaching gel used in dental offices is stronger than those sold at pharmacies.)

How Does the Tooth Bleaching Work?

Tooth bleach most often contains an active ingredient called carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide in concentrations anywhere from 10 to 22 percent. This bleaching material removes deep stains in teeth and surface stains on teeth. The oxygen molecules in these whitening agents react with the dark and discolored molecules in the tooth enamel and break up the chemical bonds that hold teeth stains together and dissolve them. Teeth stains can be external types or internal type stains. External stains can be removed by toothpastes and are found on the outside of the teeth. Internal stains must be removed with tooth bleaching gel. The gel works to penetrate into the tooth layers to remove these internal stains.

Laser Teeth Whitening Process | Dr. David Rodrick Laser Dentist Centennial Colorado

With laser teeth whitening, patients just relax while the laser does its work.

What’s It Like To Get A Laser Teeth Whitening Procedure?

First, the laser dentist works to determine what the original shade of the teeth was before starting the procedure. After that is determined, a rubber-like material is applied to cover the gum tissue around the teeth to protect them from the bleaching gel. This rubber-like material is first put on the gum tissue in a liquid or gel form. Then after it’s in place, a curing light is directed at the tissue and it immediately hardens up to form a protective shell over the gum tissue and so only the tooth enamel where the laser teeth whitening will take place is exposed. It also will cover any exposed root surfaces if the patient has receding gums that leave the tooth root exposed. A plastic lip retractor is also placed to separate the lips from the area that is to be treated. After the protective gum layer is placed, the laser bleaching gel is placed on the teeth surfaces and the bleaching material is spread out evenly over all these tooth surfaces. Then the laser dentist directs the laser wand at the teeth to activate the laser bleaching gel which causes it to foam up and lift the dark stains away. The bleach also will penetrate into the enamel tubules and whiten the teeth below the surface. These enamel tubules remain open for 24 to 48 hours after the procedure and then the tooth surface is re-mineralized. This is why it is important not to drink red wine or cola products right after the procedure because it can re-darken the teeth. Once the laser bleaching gel has been activated, the gel will be allowed left on the teeth for several minutes and then it will be rinsed off and re-applied and the laser will again activate the new layer of bleaching gel. This process is repeated as many as three times to get the desired results. After the process is finished, the bleaching gel is rinsed off and then the rubber-like protective layer is removed. Also the plastic lip retractor is removed and the patient’s mouth is rinsed out. For those who want to whiten their teeth throughout the year, molds can be taken of the teeth, and patients can use traditional teeth bleaching in between laser teeth whitening procedures.

Laser Teeth Whitening | Dr. David Rodrick Laser Dentist Centennial Colorado

This laser curing tool is part of the process of laser teeth whitening.

Are There Any Downsides or Risks In Laser Teeth Whitening?

In a small amount of patients, temporary tooth sensitivity may manifest during laser teeth whitening. Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold can happen afterwards particularly if take-home bleaching trays are applied for too long. However, sensitivity is temporary (1-2 days), and it can be managed with a tooth paste for sensitive teeth, or with anti-inflammatory medication if necessary. There also can be gum irritation if bleaching gel leaks through the rubber-like material. However, it is uncommon for this to happen. The bottom line is that tooth sensitivity from laser teeth whitening is temporary, and relief occurs usually in a matter of minutes after the teeth are rinsed off.

How Does Laser Teeth Whitening Compare To Traditional Tooth Bleaching At Home?

Laser teeth whitening is done at dental offices by dentists. Dentists use a stronger product than those sold in pharmacies; therefore, they provide better results and are faster than regular bleaching trays used for home teeth whitening The results of laser teeth whitening are seen immediately after the procedure is finished right in the dental chair. The laser process is fast, safe, and comfortable…and the results are immediate. With tray bleaching, the dentist will first take dental impressions and then later pour the impressions up in plaster. These plaster models are used to make the clear bleaching trays that will fit over the patient’s teeth. Then the trays are given to the patient along with the bleaching gel that they will use inside the clear bleaching trays. A small drop of bleaching gel is then placed in each tooth area on the bleaching tray. Then they will place the bleaching trays in the mouth for 30 minutes to one hour.

Laser Teeth Whitening | Dr. David Rodrick Laser Dentist Centennial Colorado After laser teeth whitening treatments, patients are amazed that their teeth are immediately bright and white.

What Are The Benefits of Laser Teeth Whitening?

  • Results In Bright, White Teeth Immediately: Laser teeth whitening can have an immediate impact on your smile and greatly improve your appearance in a very short time. It has become very popular way for people to quickly improve their “smile power.”
  • More Self Confidence: Laser teeth whitening Improves your self-confidence because if you know you look good, you usually feel better about yourself. If your teeth are dark and stained, you may be afraid to fully smile for fear that this will be noticed.
  • Improves Your Attractiveness To Romantic Partners: Laser teeth whitening makes you more attractive. Most people would prefer to kiss someone with bright, healthy teeth than someone with dark or stained teeth.
  • Reflects Your Healthy Lifestyle: Healthy smiles and white teeth are usually seen with those individuals with healthy lifestyles and healthy habits. Plus, new research has come to light in recent years that confirms that healthy teeth and a healthy mouth affect your overall health.
  • More Approachable: A person with a white healthy smile has a more friendly appearance and appears to be more youthful and approachable than an individual with dark, stained teeth.
  • An Affordable Appearance Improvement: Laser teeth whitening is more affordable than ever before. The prices for the procedure have actually been going down in most dental offices.
  • No Harmful Side Effects: There are no harmful side effects to getting your teeth whitened. There may be some slight sensitivity afterwards that can be controlled by anti-inflammatory medication like Aleve or Advil. The whitening process does not damage the tooth enamel. It simply removes tooth stains and whitens the enamel.

What Does Laser Teeth Whitening Cost?

Laser teeth whitening can range from $300-$1,000 per session. Prices vary from dental office to dental office, so it’s wise to comparison shop for your laser teeth whitening procedure.

How to Choose a Laser Teeth Whitening Dentist

There are many ways to find a quality laser dentist for laser teeth whitening:
1) Ask friends, neighbors, and family about a qualified dentist who performs laser teeth whitening in your area.
2) Google Laser teeth Whitening plus the city in which you live. Example: “Laser teeth whitening Centennial Colorado.”
3) Research the laser dentists you find and investigate their experience, credentials, and training in laser dentistry.
4) Contact the laser dental office and ask to come over, meet the laser dentist, and do a consult on how laser teeth whitening can give you a better appearance.

Laser Teeth Whitening Consumer Guide Summary

Laser teeth whitening is a powerful tool in dramatically and quickly improving your appearance at a relatively low cost. This procedure is both affordable, has no harmful side effects, does not harm your teeth, and is more affordable than ever thanks to the user of dental lasers.

Dr. David Rodrick - Expert Laser Dentist in Centennial, Colorado

Dr. David Rodrick is an expert general & laser dentist in Centennial, Colorado.

About Dr. David Rodrick, Expert Laser Dentist

Dr. David Rodrick has 30 years of experience as a dentist, and has been offering laser dentistry since 2003. He has a passion for making patients relax, and helping solve their dental problems using effective, comfortable laser dentistry equipment and techniques. Dr. Rodrick offers:

  • General dentistry services
  • Laser dentistry services
  • Root canals
  • Non-surgical laser gum treatments
  • Cosmetic dentistry & implants
  • Traditional & laser teeth whitening
  • Non-surgical laser snoring treatments…and more.

Dr. Rodrick is both an expert general dentist, and is one of the leading laser dentists along Colorado’s Front Range. He was one of the first dentists to offer laser dentistry in Colorado. He earned an Associate Fellowship in Laser Dentistry by the World Laser Clinical Institute, and he also has completed extensive continuing education using “Fotona” dental lasers. In addition to his 30 years of experience in dentistry, Dr. Rodrick has completed close to 300 hours of continuing education in laser dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, laser endodontics (root canal therapy) and dental implants. He is a member of, and also has earned an associate fellowship in ASIRD (American Society of Implant and Reconstructive Dentistry). In 2005, he received an award from Nobel Biocare for excellence in dental esthetics.

In 2015, he was the first dentist in the state of Colorado to learn and perform a non-surgical laser snoring treatment known as NightLase™. Dr. Rodrick was born and raised in northern Illinois. In 1977, he moved to Denver and attended the University of Colorado at Denver — graduating in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He then attended the University of Colorado School of Dentistry and graduated as a general dentist in 1984. In 1985, he opened a solo practice in Englewood, Colorado.

Dr. Rodrick has a passion for laser dentistry for many reasons: “I am passionate about laser dentistry for so many reasons. First, laser dentistry truly offers the best quality of dental treatment available, with the least possible amount of discomfort for my patients. Second, by offering laser dentistry that’s more comfortable and effective, it keeps my patients coming back regularly to care for and maintain their teeth,” he said.  “In addition, laser teeth whitening offers an affordable & very fast way to get a beautiful smile with bright, white teeth.”

For information on Laser Teeth Whitening in Centennial, Colorado, please contact the dental practice of: David L. Rodrick, DDS, Experts in Laser Dentistry: 303.793.0793, or visit www.DrRodrickDDS.com.