Laser teeth whitening: what you should know
In-office whitening is one of the most requested cosmetic treatments. It is meant for healthy teeth that have lost their natural brightness and become darker or stained. In-office whitening can give a noticeable result in a single visit, under a dentist's supervision and with strict safety rules.
"Laser teeth whitening" is a popular search term, and many patients assume the laser is what makes teeth whiter. In fact, the whitening comes from the peroxide gel; the light is an optional add-on whose benefit has not been clearly shown. The clinic of Dr Haim Aseriel does not use a laser: it offers in-office whitening, done in the dental chair with a professional gel and without a laser, and supervised at-home whitening with custom-made trays; the two can be combined.
As with all cosmetic dentistry, whitening is adapted to each patient: the condition of the teeth, the starting shade and the result you hope for. Dr Aseriel, a US-trained dentist, explains the process and answers your questions in English.
What is laser teeth whitening?
Laser teeth whitening is in-office whitening that combines a high-concentration whitening gel with laser light. The beam is aimed at the gel on the teeth to speed up the chemical reaction that breaks down dark pigment molecules. However, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis, activating the whitening gel with light does not clearly improve the color change and has no effect on sensitivity, whatever the concentration of hydrogen peroxide (Maran BM et al., Journal of Dentistry, 2018).
Whatever the system, professional whitening should be carried out with materials designed for dental use, with the gums carefully protected. The noticeable change in a single visit comes from the higher concentration of peroxide used in the office, not from the light.
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Up to two thirds of patients have temporary sensitivity at the start of whitening (ADA)
This sensitivity is mild to moderate and usually goes away; according to the systematic review, the laser does not reduce it.
How much lighter the teeth become varies from person to person and depends on the starting shade and the type of stains. Whitening only works on natural teeth, not on crowns, veneers or fillings. After treatment you receive detailed advice on keeping the result.
Why do teeth get darker?
Teeth darken naturally over a lifetime. Coffee, tea, red wine, cola and dark juices are among the most common causes of stains, as their pigments settle into the enamel and change the shade of the tooth. Smoking and tobacco are other major causes, known for stubborn yellow or brown stains.
With time, the outer enamel wears and becomes thinner, revealing more of the dentin underneath, which is naturally yellow or gray. Genetics also play a role: some people have thinner enamel or darker dentin from the start. Certain dental treatments, some medications (especially tetracycline antibiotics) and exposure to high levels of fluoride at a young age can also affect tooth color.
Some stains come from inside the tooth: developmental problems, an injury to the tooth or a past root canal treatment. These cases often need a different approach, such as internal whitening of a tooth that darkened after a root canal treatment, because external whitening acts mainly on the surface.
Understanding why teeth darkened also helps keep them white after whitening. The clinic gives advice on diet and oral hygiene to maintain the result. Not all stains respond equally well to whitening, which is why a professional diagnosis comes first.
Who should not have laser teeth whitening?
Before whitening, with or without a laser, the dentist checks for situations in which it is not recommended or should be postponed:
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Age under 18
- Decay, cracked teeth or significant enamel wear: treated first, because they increase sensitivity and the risk of side effects
- Marked tooth sensitivity or active gum disease
- Crowns, veneers and fillings on the front teeth: they do not change color with whitening (see below)
Good candidates have healthy teeth and gums and surface (extrinsic) stains caused by food, drinks or smoking.
If you have crowns, fillings or veneers on your front teeth, keep in mind that whitening will not change their color, so a shade difference may appear between natural teeth and restorations. Replacing those restorations after whitening is sometimes needed to match the new shade.
At the consultation, the teeth, gums and current shade are checked, and alternatives are proposed when in-office whitening is not the best option.
How in-office (laser) whitening is done
1. A full dental examination
The process starts with an examination: the extent of the stains and the current shade, possible sensitivity and any gum problems that could affect whether whitening is suitable. Not every patient is a good candidate, and sometimes an alternative better suited to the case is recommended.
2. Protecting the gums and applying the gel
Once whitening is confirmed as suitable, the soft tissues are protected with a barrier that keeps the gel away from the gums. A professional whitening gel containing a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide is then applied to the teeth; in light-activated systems, the gel is then exposed to the lamp or laser. At the clinic, whitening is done without a laser.
3. The role of the laser: what we know
Contrary to popular belief, the laser itself does not whiten teeth: the active ingredient is the peroxide in the gel. The light is meant to speed up the reaction. Deep stains, such as tetracycline stains, respond less well to whitening with any method, and another cosmetic solution is sometimes needed.
In-office (laser) whitening vs at-home whitening
The main advantage of in-office whitening, with or without a laser, is speed: the change in shade is visible after one session. At-home whitening systems require daily use for several weeks; the clinic offers both, with custom-made trays for at-home whitening. In both cases, how much lighter the teeth become varies from person to person.
Professional supervision and sensitivity
Treatment is carried out under a dentist's supervision, with the gums protected and the exposure time adjusted to how you respond. Temporary, mild to moderate sensitivity is common with every method.
How long the results last
How long the result lasts depends mainly on your habits: coffee, tea, red wine and smoking gradually bring stains back. For people with black stains on teeth or severe internal stains, whitening may give only partial improvement, and another cosmetic solution may be worth considering.
| Method | Where | Speed of result | What is known about the laser / light |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laser or light-activated whitening | At a dental office; not offered at this clinic | Change visible after one session | According to a systematic review, the light does not clearly improve the color change and does not affect sensitivity (Maran BM et al., 2018) |
| In-office whitening with gel only | At a dental office; offered at the clinic | Change visible after one session | The active ingredient is the peroxide in the gel, which works without light activation |
| At-home whitening with custom trays | At home, supervised by a dentist; offered at the clinic | Gradual, with daily use over several weeks | No light; side effects are usually mild and temporary, and more frequent at higher concentrations (Eachempati P et al., Cochrane, 2018) |
Examination, treatment plan and price quote
detailed and personalized
During the consultation, Dr Haim Aseriel examines your teeth, explains all the options and gives you a transparent price quote, with no obligation. The clinic is at 12 HaTnufa Street, Jerusalem.
Side effects of laser teeth whitening
Laser teeth whitening can cause side effects that are worth knowing about before treatment. Temporary, mild to moderate sensitivity to hot and cold is the most common: according to the ADA, it affects up to two thirds of patients at the start of whitening. It usually fades within a few days.
Gum irritation can occur when the whitening gel comes into contact with soft tissue, which is why the gums are protected with a dedicated barrier. Some patients also feel mild jaw discomfort from keeping the mouth open; short breaks during treatment help.
According to a Cochrane review of at-home whitening, side effects are usually mild and temporary, and more frequent with higher concentrations of whitening agent. Strong or lasting sensitivity is a reason to contact your dentist.
Preparing for laser teeth whitening
Good preparation helps get an even, predictable result.
Professional cleaning first
A professional dental cleaning before whitening removes tartar and plaque that could make the result uneven. In the days before treatment, it also helps to cut down on strongly colored foods and drinks such as coffee, tea, red wine and tomato sauces.
Share your medical information
Tell the dentist about any known sensitivities, medical conditions and medications you take regularly. Patients with very yellow teeth may need more than one session; the plan takes into account the starting shade, your age and the origin of the stains.
Laser teeth whitening before and after: realistic expectations
Before-and-after photos online can be misleading. No method, with or without a laser, can promise a set number of shades: the result depends on your starting shade and the type of stains. Surface stains from coffee, tea or smoking usually respond well; gray or internal stains respond less.
Keeping the result requires careful daily oral hygiene and limiting habits that stain teeth again. Cut down on coffee, black tea, red wine, beets and dark sodas; if you do drink them, use a straw and rinse your mouth with water afterwards. Smoking is one of the main causes of new stains, and people who stop smoking after whitening usually keep the result longer. Brushing twice a day, flossing and an alcohol-free mouthwash help too.
Touch-up treatments, when needed, are usually shorter and simpler than the first whitening and help maintain the shade over time.
A whitening toothpaste can help maintain the result by removing new surface stains, but it does not replace professional whitening; ask your dentist which one suits your teeth.
Teeth whitening in Jerusalem: what the clinic offers instead of laser
At the clinic in Talpiot, Jerusalem, teeth are whitened in two ways: in-office whitening with a professional gel, without laser, and at-home whitening with custom-made trays. The choice, or a combination of both, is made at the examination, based on the condition of the teeth, sensitivity and the result you want.
- The gel does the work, not the light: a systematic review found that light or laser activation does not clearly improve the whitening result or reduce sensitivity compared with the gel alone (Maran et al., Journal of Dentistry, 2018).
- Supervised by the dentist: decay, fillings and gum recession are checked first, because only natural teeth lighten; fillings and crowns keep their color.
- Controlled at-home whitening: the trays are made to fit your teeth, so the gel stays on the teeth and away from the gums.
Laser teeth whitening cost: what affects the price?
The clinic does not publish a price list. The cost of in-office whitening, laser-activated or not, depends on the method, how complex the case is, how deep the stains are and how many sessions are needed. Light- or laser-activated systems use dedicated equipment, which can make them more expensive; since the light does not clearly improve the result, it is worth asking what is included in the price.
Deep or stubborn stains may need more than one session, and in-office whitening is sometimes combined with at-home whitening using custom-made trays, which is part of the total cost. After the examination you receive a detailed written quote, and itemized receipts you can submit to your insurer; whether whitening is reimbursed depends on your policy.
Looking for teeth whitening near you? The clinic, which offers in-office whitening without a laser and at-home whitening with custom-made trays, is at 12 HaTnufa Street in Talpiot, south Jerusalem; hours: Sun 8:00–19:00 · Mon 9:00–19:00 · Tue–Wed 9:00–21:00 · Thu 8:30–21:00 · Fri 8:00–14:00. Read patient reviews or learn more about Dr Haim Aseriel.
Laser teeth whitening: frequently asked questions
Laser teeth whitening is in-office whitening in which a high-concentration whitening gel is applied to the teeth and exposed to laser light. The laser itself does not whiten the teeth: the active ingredient is the peroxide in the gel. The clinic does not use a laser: it offers in-office whitening in the dental chair, without a laser, and at-home whitening with custom-made trays.
According to a systematic review and meta-analysis (Maran et al., Journal of Dentistry, 2018), activating the whitening gel with light or a laser does not clearly improve the color change compared with the same gel without light, and does not reduce sensitivity, whatever the peroxide concentration.
Laser and other in-office whitening is not suitable for everyone. The clinic does not recommend it during pregnancy or breastfeeding, for minors under 18, or for patients with marked tooth sensitivity or active gum disease. Crowns, veneers and fillings do not change color with whitening.
The most common side effect of teeth whitening, with or without a laser, is temporary, mild to moderate sensitivity to hot and cold: according to the ADA, it affects up to two thirds of patients at the start of treatment and usually fades within a few days. Gum irritation can occur if the whitening gel touches the soft tissues.
The cost of in-office teeth whitening, with or without a laser, depends on the method, the number of sessions needed, how deep the stains are and whether at-home whitening with custom-made trays is added. The clinic, which does not use a laser, does not publish a price list: you receive a written quote after an examination.
Sources
- Maran BM et al., Journal of Dentistry, 2018 – View the study
- American Dental Association, Whitening (Oral Health Topics), 2022 – View the page
- Eachempati P et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2018 – View the study
