Last fact-checked: 15 March 2020

Discover your dazzling smile with this guide to teeth whitening in Medellin. If you’re planning a trip to Colombia, then transform your smile with low-cost dental care while visiting one of the country’s top up-and-coming tourist destinations. Dental Departures guarantee the best prices and, with our quality-checked dentists, you can rely on the care you receive.

Colombia has been in the news lately, but for all the right reasons. The travel industry has rightly given the country the thumbs up for tourists, with Medellin, particularly, the recipient of plaudits for turning around its image to one that is attractive and, above all, safe for both locals and visitors.

Medellin is great if you love the outdoors as there are plenty of lush parks dotted around the city, not to mention the rolling green landscape that surrounds in all directions. Weather-wise, expect conditions to be spring-like all year round–hence its “City of Eternal Spring” nickname. The city is easy to get around using either the underground or the excellent cable car system; this allows you to easily zip across the city visiting interesting parts of the city, including El Poblado and El Centro.

Another reason to take the cable car system is for the terrific views the journey affords across the mountains and coffee plantations. For the more adventurous, adrenaline-inducing activities include paragliding, mountain-biking and all-terrain vehicle tours for hurtling over the hills. A four-day tour can take you to the lost city Ciudad Perdida, which is even older than Peru’s Machu Picchu, and, if you prefer things a little more sedate, don’t miss the huge Flower Festival in August.

As you can see, Medellin bursting full of things to see and do–and we haven't even got onto the city’s blossoming dental tourism scene yet!

? Laser Teeth whitening is an ideal treatment for dental tourists as it only takes a matter of hours to complete—so you won’t be spending too much time at the dentist instead of enjoying your trip.

? Unlike some dental procedures, you shouldn’t have too much (if anything) in the way of downtime after laser teeth whitening. The procedure is painless, with no swelling or other nasties, although some people do experience tooth sensitivity for a few days afterward.

? Laser teeth whitening is very effective. So, if you want a quick way of transforming your smile, then this is the treatment for you. Plus, in Medellin, you can save hundreds of dollars compared to the prices at home.

Compare the prices for teeth whitening in Medellin with dental clinics at home:

Laser teeth whitening is suitable for the vast majority of people. That said, it is still a medical procedure meaning you should  heed the advice of your dentist and use your own judgment, especially if you have already had whitening treatments (some people can overdo it).

Some dental health problems may preclude you from laser and other teeth whitening treatments. Tooth cavities and gum problems should be dealt with before any whitening treatment, otherwise, the bleaching gel may cause further damage, which could lead to sensitivity, or in some cases pain.

You should also be aware of the limitations of whitening treatments, as these can only remove stains from the outside of the teeth. Any internal staining, for example, antibiotic staining with tetracycline, will not be removed with whitening treatments.

What about Other Teeth Whitening Treatments?

Other teeth whitening treatments are available, such as at-home teeth whitening kits that you can pick up from the dentist. You will need to factor in two visits to the dentist for this—the first so the dentist can take impressions of your mouth for tailor-made trays to be made and subsequently fitted over your teeth, and the second to pick them up. The trays are where you put the whitening gel and they are usually worn overnight. These are then simply removed and washed out the next morning, ready for re-application in the evening. This process typically takes two weeks, after which your teeth should be whiter, although results are generally less prominent than having laser teeth whitening.

The standard of dental care in Medellin is generally good, especially at clinics that treat international patients. These clinics tend to have English-speaking staff and are more likely to have internationally-trained dentists. They are also likely to be equipped with the latest diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, as well as internationally-recognized hygiene and safety procedures.

Well-known brands, including BriteSmile® and Zoom!®, are available in Colombia, just like at home. So, there’s no need to worry you will be receiving inferior care.

We always recommend that you choose a dentist with care, regardless of whether that’s at home or in a foreign country. Obviously, when you go abroad, you haven’t got the luxury of friends, family and neighbors to ask for their recommendations, but you do have Dental Departures.

All of our verified clinics have been subject to our own background checks, which includes legal/criminal records and onsite visits. Our listings include patient reviews, and details of dentist qualifications and professional memberships. You’ll also find clinic photos, maps, prices and much, much more to help you make a choice that’s right for you.

Here are some of the clinics in Medellin where you can have laser teeth whitening:

? Colombia Care Dental

? Oralimagen

? Dental Home – El Poblado

Laser teeth whitening should take around two hours to complete.

1: Before treatment commences, the dentist will use a shade chart to assess the color of your teeth before and after the laser teeth whitening.

2: Next, your teeth will be cleaned to remove stains and tartar.

3: Your mouth will be prepared. The soft tissues are protected with a dam placed around the teeth so the bleaching gel only comes into contact with your teeth and not your gums or tongue.

4: Your eyes will be protected with goggles.

5: The dentist applies the gel to the teeth.

6: A laser beam is directed at the gel to activate the bleach.

7: After 15 minutes, the gel is removed.

8: Steps 5, 6 and 7 are repeated another two times.

9: The teeth are cleaned thoroughly.

10: The dentist shows you your smile, and holds up the shade chart so you can see the before vs after result.

It’s easy to book an appointment for your teeth whitening in Medellin through Dental Departures. Our Customer Care Team is also on standby for any questions you may have about dental care abroad, including other services we offer, such as financing or hotel booking. You can also book your appointment online directly with us any time of the day or night, at no charge to you.

Sources:

Vincent, Jessica. What You Should Know about Colombia’s Spectacular Flower Festival. Culture Trip. 30 May 2018.

https://theculturetrip.com/south-america/colombia/articles/what-you-should-know-about-colombias-spectacular-flower-festival/

Lee, David. The Ultimate List of Things to Do in Medellin. Nomadic Matt. 29 November 2018.

https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/ultimate-list-medellin/

Ciudad Perdida. Lonely Planet. Website accessed: 7 January 2018. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/colombia/ciudad-perdida

Fletcher, Becky. Teeth whitening: the Facts. Netdoctor. 7 November 2018. https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/beauty/dental/a29127/teeth-whitening-dentist-recommendation/

Amos, Heather. Teeth Whitening Can Cause Permanent Damage: UBC Prof. University of British Columbia. 6 January 2016.

https://news.ubc.ca/2016/01/06/teeth-whitening-can-cause-permanent-damage-ubc-prof/