The LaserSmile ™ teeth whitening system utilizing the LaserSmileT diode laser.

The LaserSmile ™ teeth whitening system is manufactured by Biolase Technology, Inc. In dental circles this company is probably best known for manufacturing the Waterlase ® dental laser. The LaserSmile ™ teeth whitening system, however, utilizes the LaserSmileT diode laser.

What type of tooth whitener is used with the LaserSmile ™ teeth whitening system?

The LaserSmile ™ teeth whitening system uses a hydrogen peroxide-based bleaching gel. This whitener comes prepackaged and ready to use. It has a 37% hydrogen peroxide concentration and a pH of around 7.
(More about the characteristics of professional teeth whiteners...)

What kind of laser is used with the LaserSmile ™ teeth whitening process?

The LaserSmile ™ teeth whitening system requires the use of their LaserSmileT diode laser. As you might expect, the emission spectrum of this light unit is very precise. Its emissions lie in the 798 to 815nm range which is part of the near infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The requirement that this laser must be used implies that the company believes that emissions of this specific wavelength "photo-activate" the LaserSmile ™ whitener and therefore increases the efficiency of the whitening process.
(More about bleaching lights used with profession teeth whitening systems and why they may not be needed...)

Does the LaserSmile ™ laser produce a heating effect on the teeth being whitened?

Since the emissions of the LaserSmileT laser lie in the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum there certainly could be concern that a heating effect might be produced. As it turns out however, during the teeth whitening process a heating effect is avoided because the laser is only exposed to a few teeth at a time and even then only briefly (about 15 seconds). During the entire whitening process (about 24 minutes) it is likely that each tooth will only receive about 2 to 4 minutes of exposure to the laser's output.
(More about why it is important that a bleaching light does not produce a significant heating effect...)

How much did your dentist's LaserSmileT diode laser cost?

Just out of curiosity and for your own information, your dentist probably paid in excess of $20,000 for their LaserSmile ™ laser. This laser does, however, have other dental applications so your dentist can use it for other procedures too, not just teeth whitening.
(More about lasers and lights used with profession teeth whitening systems and why a bleaching light may not be needed...)

How long does it take your dentist to perform a LaserSmile ™ teeth whitening treatment?

Biolase Technology, Inc.'s promotional materials suggest that LaserSmile ™ teeth whitening treatments usually take less than an hour from start to finish. Each bleaching session is broken down into two individual applications of the LaserSmile ™ teeth whitener, with the duration of the first application being 16 minutes and the second 8 minutes. This means that the cumulative exposure of the patient's teeth to the LaserSmile ™ teeth whitening gel is 24 minutes. Pre and post treatment preparations and activities round the total treatment time up to about an hour or slightly less.

Does the LaserSmile ™ teeth whitening system make use of at-home teeth whitening treatments?

Continued bleaching with an at-home teeth whitening product after the completion of the LaserSmile ™ treatment is an option left up to the discretion of the dentist and the patient but is not a formal part of the system's protocol.
(More about the use and purpose of at-home teeth whiteners after professional teeth whitening treatments...)

What are the individual steps of the LaserSmile ™ teeth whitening system?

The procedure your dentist follows when performing LaserSmile ™ teeth whitening system treatments does not vary greatly from those general steps we illustrate and describe for the typical professional teeth whitening process. Although in, a fashion different from all of the other professional teeth whitening systems we discuss on Animated-Teeth.com, the LaserSmile ™ system employs the use of a laser as the bleaching light.

Should you choose the LaserSmile ™ professional teeth whitening system?

This is a question that should be directed to the dentist performing the whitening treatment. In regards to the system itself, LaserSmile ™ should be able to provide results similar in nature to those achieved with other professional teeth whitening systems. One advantage of the LaserSmile ™ system is that the treatment time generally runs less than an hour whereas most other systems require 60 minutes or more.
(More about how to choose a professional teeth whitening system...)