There are many things people try when they want to improve their appearance. Dieting and exercise are two we readily think of. But that takes a lot of time and effort and is often painful. Do you want to improve your appearance in about 60 minutes with little or no pain or discomfort? Try laser teeth whitening.

Everyday brings with it new technological breakthroughs, and nowhere is this more true than in the area of laser technology. Lasers are now a valuable tool in the field of cosmetic dentistry, where they are used to effectively deal with teeth that are stained and discolored.

Laser teeth whitening is one of the most popular whitening options available today, and that is primarily due to the fact that it is a fast and painless procedure that produces great results almost immediately. It has even proven highly effective on teeth yellowed by years of smoking or severely stained by heavy coffee drinking.

Though a simple process, laser teeth whitening is best administered by an experienced cosmetic dentist trained in the procedure. It begins with a thorough examination of your teeth followed by a good cleaning. Then a peroxide containing whitening gel is placed on your teeth.

The whitening gel is then energized, or activated, by a laser light. This is the key to the procedure’s speed and effectiveness. Great results are usually seen after just one treatment, but sometimes more severe cases of staining or discoloration may need additional treatments.

The old adage “you get what you pay for” is especially true here. Laser whitening is not inexpensive. In fact, at about $500 to $1000 for a treatment, it can put quite a dent in your finances.

Yes, laser teeth whitening is more expensive than popular do-it-yourself home whitening methods and products. But it is also much more effective, yielding as much as ten shades of whitening after just one treatment. Home whitening methods can take weeks to show any results, and even then your teeth will not be anywhere near as white as they would after laser treatment.

Are there any side effects with laser teeth whitening? Not usually, although sometimes temporary teeth and gum soreness is reported. It doesn’t generally last very long.

Is laser teeth whitening right for you? It depends. How much are immediate, long lasting results worth to you? If it’s worth as much as $1000 to you, and you can afford it, then laser whitening may be just the thing you need.