Everyone is talking about whitening
If your smile makes you self-conscious due to yellow teeth, know that various factors, such as the consumption of tea, coffee, or smoking, can affect the whiteness of your enamel despite impeccable dental hygiene. Fortunately, there are simple solutions to regain a radiant smile: teeth whitening techniques, prescribed by a dentist, that can restore your confidence.
Teeth whitening encompasses a set of dental aesthetic methods aimed at lightening the teeth. Your dentist will recommend the most appropriate method based on your specific needs to achieve a naturally white shade.
You are probably wondering what these techniques consist of? Let's take a look at the options available to you.
UV lamp whitening
The principle of teeth whitening with a UV lamp is based on the use of light energy to activate the whitening agents present in the whitening gel applied to the teeth.
- Application of whitening gel : A dental whitening gel, typically containing hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, is applied to the teeth. This gel penetrates the dental enamel and works to remove stains and discolorations.
- Activation by UV light : A special UV or LED lamp is directed at the treated teeth. This light acts as a catalyst, activating the whitening agents present in the whitening gel. The light energy triggers a chemical reaction that accelerates the whitening process.
- Increased whitening efficiency : The use of UV light enhances the effectiveness of the whitening gel, which can lead to faster and more visible results compared to whitening methods without light.
- Exposure Control : The exposure time to UV light is controlled by the dental health professional, based on the specific needs of the patient and the type of whitening gel used. Typically, the treatment lasts between 15 and 30 minutes per session.
Laser whitening
Laser whitening works in the same way but without the drawbacks of UV lamps; moreover, its duration over time is extended and its whiteness is more pronounced.
The differences between UV lamp whitening and laser whitening
- Light source :
- UV Lamp Whitening: Uses a special UV or LED lamp to activate the whitening agents in the bleaching gel applied to the teeth.
- Laser whitening: Uses a laser light beam to activate the bleaching agents in the whitening gel.
- Wavelength :
- UV Lamp Whitening: Uses ultraviolet (UV) light or a LED light with a specific wavelength to activate the whitening gel.
- Laser whitening: Uses a laser with a specific wavelength to activate the whitening gel. Lasers can provide more precise control over light emission.
- Processing time:
- UV lamp whitening: Treatment sessions usually last between 15 and 30 minutes.
- Laser whitening: Treatment sessions can be shorter due to the concentration of light energy, often between 10 and 20 minutes.
- Effectiveness:
- UV lamp whitening: Can be very effective for lightening teeth, but may require several sessions to achieve the desired results.
- Laser whitening: Generally considered more effective due to the concentration and precision of laser light, often fewer sessions are needed to achieve visible results.
- Cost:
- Laser whitening is slightly more expensive due to the necessary equipment, the product used, and its more noticeable effectiveness..
Conclusion
In summary, although both UV lamp and laser teeth whitening techniques aim to lighten teeth by using a light source to activate the whitening gel, they differ in the light source used, wavelength, treatment time, effectiveness, and cost.