What is the ZOOM! Teeth Whitening Procedure?

A. ZOOM! is a proprietary light-activated bleaching process that lightens the outer layer of the teeth as well as any discolorations in the enamel. It is an in-office procedure that is in the category of “power bleaching”.

How long does the ZOOM! Chairside Whitening take to complete?
A. The complete procedure takes about an hour. The procedure begins with placing a barrier over the gums to isolate the teeth and then a special gel is placed on the teeth. This is followed by about three 45 minute sessions of bleaching. (Previous techniques involved only doing one quadrant at a time, whereas the new process allows us to do both upper and lower arches at the same time.)

How does the ZOOM! In-office system work?

A. The ZOOM! Light activated whitening gel’s active ingredient is 32% Hydrogen Peroxide and a proprietary activator. As the Hydrogen Peroxide is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin, bleaching colored substances while the structure of the tooth is unchanged.

What will I experience during the ZOOM! In-office procedure?

A. During the procedure, patients may comfortably watch television or listen to music. Some individuals with a strong gag-reflex, or anxiety, or who have sensitive teeth, may have difficulty undergoing the entire procedure.

How long to the results last?

A. By following some simple post-whitening care instructions, your teeth should always be lighter than they were before the procedure. To help maintain them, we do recommend flossing, brushing after meals and using some take-home trays occasionally with gel to touch up the whitening.

Are there any side effects?

A. Temporary sensitivity during the treatment may occur with some patients. The ZOOM! Light generates minimal heat which is the usual source of discomfort. ON rare occasions, minor tingling sensations are experienced immediately after the procedure, but always go away. You should also ask us for the anti-sensitivity toothpaste to use one week prior to treatment.

What causes discoloration in the first place?

A. There are many potential reasons the teeth have gotten darker. It could be from coffee, tea, wine, smoking, or colas. In addition, anything that would stain a white shirt could stain the teeth. There are certain nuts, medications or berries that could also contribute to staining. During tooth formation, consumption of tetracycline or excessive fluoride may also cause tooth discoloration.

Who may benefit from tooth whitening?

A. Almost anyone can benefit from whitening their teeth. While the treatment works great for some, there are some people who have teeth that are resistant to the gels or maybe as mentioned earlier, have sensitivity and may not want to whiten. In addition, if you have a few porcelain crowns now in the front of your mouth, since those will not whiten with this process, it might be something you can discuss with your dentist about other options. We always advise a thorough oral exam and cleaning prior to considering whitening your teeth.

Is whitening safe?

A. Yes it is. There have been several extensive clinical studies that have shown not only the effectiveness of whitening, but this procedure has been around for many decades and the delivery system has just gotten easier and more convenient. As with most elective procedures, it is not advised for pregnant or lactating women, and nor is it recommended for children under 13 years of age.

How can I maximize the results of the bleaching process?

A. If you have a professional cleaning done shortly before you whiten, you will find you will get better results. (It would be comparable to washing your car before you wax it.) Avoiding foods that stain your teeth for a few days before and after the procedure will also improve your results.