Laser Teeth Whitening Manchester – What Does It Entail?

10 August 2026

Laser Teeth Whitening Manchester – What Does It Entail?

There are lots of ways that a dentist can restore your smile. You might for instance need to seek assistance from an  after an accident, or alternatively you might want to commit to undergoing dental implants Manchester, as a form of tooth restoration. However one of the easiest ways, and indeed one of the most popular methods, to quickly rejuvenate a smile is laser teeth whitening. Manchester practices throughout the Greater Manchester area offer this service, but what exactly does it entail? Let’s take a closer look…

Firstly unlike home teeth bleaching kits which can take up to 4 weeks to see results, laser teeth whitening can achieve similar or better results in as little as one 45 minute session (although a patient may need 2 or more sessions if teeth are particularly stained). Also unlike take-home kits, laser teeth whitening is carried out at the dental practice.

In essence a type of tooth whitening gel containing hydrogen peroxide is applied to the teeth. When heated with a special light (known as a laser) it extracts oxygen ions which then set to work lifting exterior (extrinsic) stains from the teeth. It’s worth noting that laser teeth whitening isn’t a one time procedure and will need to be repeated from time to time. How often this is depends on how well you look after your teeth, the amount of dark liquids (coca cola, coffee, red wine etc) you drink, and whether you smoke.

If you do decide to have dentists usually follow a set procedure and this is as follows:

The screening process

First of all the dentist will check to see whether your gums have receded. This is often caused by periodontal disease or aggressive tooth brushing and is noticeable because a significant amount of the tooth root is often exposed. This being the case you could experience noticeable uneven colouring during the teeth whitening treatment because tooth roots are resistant to bleaching. As a result it might not be the ideal treatment and instead the dentist may recommend other alternatives.

Pre-treatment process

Usually during a second appointment the dentist/hygienist will look to thoroughly clean the teeth as well as ensuring that all cavities are filled and treated. The reason for this is that the whitening solution may penetrate through a cavity into the interior of your tooth causing unnecessary tooth  sensitivity. In addition, and prior to the first whitening session, your dentist may prescribe anti-inflammatory medication because the process itself can cause some tooth sensitivity particularly in those who already have sensitive teeth. This is nothing like the pain you’d experience if you were forced to seek an emergency dentist in Stockport due to an abscess or broken tooth, but it can feel slightly uncomfortable for some people.

The tooth whitening process

On the day itself your dentist will apply a plastic mouth guard to keep your mouth open thus exposing the teeth. Next the dentist will apply a protective gel to your gums which acts as a barrier to prevent the teeth whitening solution from penetrating these areas. The whitening compound is then applied to your teeth (usually with a syringe) and a pen-style laser is then used to heat up the compound. This may cause it to foam as the stains are gradually lifted away. The compound remains on the teeth for 30-45 minutes and is then wiped away using a small vacuum tool. Finally the protective layer is removed from the gums and your mouth is rinsed out.

After treatment

For the first few days patients may find their teeth are sensitive with varying degrees of sensitivity being reported. Some patients for example find that they experience zero sensitivity and others report feelings of incredible tooth sensitivity. However any sensitivity normally wears off after a few days. As stated earlier, patients may need follow up tooth whitening sessions in six months time while others may find they don’t need further sessions for a year.

So there you have it!

Laser teeth whitening Manchester can be used as a stand alone treatment, as part of a complete Smile Makeover, or after having  patients however should always seek advice first before proceeding.

For further information on this or any other treatments we offer contact on 0161 486 0743 and take the first steps towards rejuvenating that looking smile.