Last fact-checked: 15 March 2020

If you’re vacationing in Colombia, snap up low-cost teeth whitening in Cartagena —Colombia’s colonial city on the Caribbean Coast. Once back home, you’ll step off the plane with a gleaming smile that creates a lasting first impression.

If you’ve been wondering how to improve your smile without undergoing drastic work, then teeth whitening treatment is probably the way to go. While there are plenty of over-the-counter treatments which may (or may not) slightly whiten your smile if you really want to make a big difference, a professional teeth whitening session at the dentist is your best option.

Cartagena has always been a popular destination, and now that Colombia has got its house in order there is even more reason to visit. You get the best of all worlds in the city—an historic Old Town, a newer area with round-the-clock entertainment plus some decent city beaches. A short boat is all it takes to arrive at a handful of idyllic, tropical Caribbean islands where coral reefs and nature reserves provide a fascinating insight into diverse nature found in Colombia.

Laser teeth whitening in Cartagena will save you some money—and booking through Dental Departures guarantees the best prices around.

Not everybody is suitable for laser teeth whitening. You will need to have healthy teeth and gums because underlying problems, such as teeth cavities or gum disease may lead to increased sensitivity or further damage to your mouth. It must also be remembered that teeth whitening is a medical procedure, and it should be treated as such.

Teeth whitening only works on external tooth stains. So, if you have staining on the inside of the tooth, for example from antibiotic staining, then the procedure won’t have any effect. In this case, look at alternative treatments, such as dental veneers, if you want to correct this problem.

Many dental clinics also offer home whitening kits. Although the whitening effects are not as dramatic as laser teeth whitening, they are significantly better than over-the-counter products.

? If you are looking for a quick-fix that will immediately brighten your smile and make a huge difference, then laser teeth whitening is a good option to have as a dental tourist. The treatment only takes a couple of hours and there is minimal discomfort after the procedure, although you may experience some increased sensitivity for a couple of days afterward.

? If you are opting to have the take-home whitening treatment, you will need to schedule two appointments at the dentist—one to have impressions of your mouth (which are sent to a laboratory where your custom-made trays to hold the whitening gel are made to fit), and the next appointment to pick up your gel and trays.

Laser Teeth Whitening: This is carried out at the dentist’s office. The dentist will first hold a shade chart up to your teeth so you can see the corresponding color of your teeth before the treatment starts. Next, your teeth will be thoroughly cleaned and a rubber dam placed around the teeth so the gums and soft tissues in your mouth are protected from the bleaching gel. You will also need to wear protective glasses to shield your eyes from the laser.

Next, the gel is applied to the teeth. The laser is used to activate the whitening products in the gel. At this point, depending on what system your dentist uses, there may be slight variations in terms of what happens next. In some systems, the gel is applied for 15 minutes and removed, and then reapplied for 15 minutes several more times. Other systems require only one 45-minute application.

Once the final application of gel and laser is complete, all traces will be removed by the dentist with teeth cleaning again. You can assess how much whiter your smile has become by comparing your new shade with the corresponding color on the shade chart.

At-Home Whitening Kits: Made-to-measure trays that fit over your teeth are filled with whitening gel. You wear them overnight while you are sleeping, removing them in the morning and cleaning your teeth and trays so they are ready to use again the next night. The treatment should last around two weeks, or until you have reached the degree of whitening you require. More gel can be obtained from your dentist at home if you want to top-up your whitening from time-to-time.

Yes. The best dentists and laboratories in Colombia are of a good standard, particularly those that are geared toward dental tourists. It’s worth remembering that the dental clinics here strive to provide good-quality care because dental tourism is an important part of the economy. If the services were not up-to-the-mark, then overseas patients would simply stop coming for dental care. It is in the interest of dental providers to ensure their services are reliable and cost-effective.

Dentists are well-trained and clinics are often contemporary and modern, equipped with the latest technologies. The materials and systems used are the same internationally-renowned brands that your dentist at home uses. This includes laser teeth whitening brands like Zoom® and Britesmile®.

By booking an appointment through Dental Departures you can be sure you will be seen at a clinic that has been quality-checked. We carry out our own checks, including onsite visits, verifying dentist qualifications, confirming professional memberships and collating patient reviews. If we are not happy about any aspect, you won’t see the clinic listed on our site. This means you can search for your dentist on Dental Departures’ directory with complete confidence.

Notable clinics in Cartagena for teeth whitening include:

? Centro de Implantes de la Costa by Julio Oliver

? Sonrisa Perfecta Dental

Book your appointment online right here on our site, or talk with Dental Departures’ Customer Care Team to find out more about teeth whitening in Cartagena. They can also provide a free, no-obligation quote to get you started on your way to a new-and-improved smile while in Colombia. There is never a charge for our services!

Sources:

Leadbeater, Chris & Haines, Gavin. 21 Reasons Why Colombia Should Be Your Next Holiday Destination. The Telegraph. 20 July 2018. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/south-america/colombia/articles/21-reasons-why-colombia-should-be-your-next-holiday-destination/

Rosario Islands, Cartagena, Colombia. Rosario Islands. Website accessed 31 January 2019. http://www.rosarioislands.com/

Megadiverse Countries. Biodiversity A-Z. Website accessed 31 January 2019. http://www.biodiversitya-z.org/content/megadiverse-countries

Bern, Marija. 114 Incredible Before & After Transformations Of People Who Wore Braces. Bored Panda. Website accessed: 3 April 2019 https://www.boredpanda.com/dental-braces-before-after/

Brains, James. The best teeth whitening kits you can buy. Business Insider. 14 December 2017 
https://www.businessinsider.com/best-teeth-whitening-kit

Pleis, Donna. How Custom Whitening Trays Brighten Your Smile. Colgate. Website accessed: 3 April 2019. https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/cosmetic-dentistry/teeth-whitening/how-custom-whitening-trays-brighten-your-smile-0914