Zoom Tooth Whitening

Do you want Zoom tooth whitening?

Zoom!® was a revolutionary tooth whitening procedure when it was introduced, and received considerable publicity since its inventor was appearing on ABC's Extreme Makeover reality show. It's safe, effective and relatively fast. In about an hour and a half your teeth will be much whiter. The convenience of Zoom! in comparison to days of using strips or wearing trays made it the perfect choice for the busy individual.

Drawbacks of Zoom!

There are several drawbacks to the Zoom procedure. First, because the bleaching gel is left on the teeth for an hour many patients experience sensitivity or pain in one or more teeth for about 24-48 hours following treatment. Second, because the Zoom activation light is a UV light (i.e., a sunlamp, like you'd use to get a tan), and is omnidirectional (isn't focused just in the mouth), patients with any light sensitivity can get sunburned if not protected. For example, any patient using a Retin-A product like those found in most skin rejuvenation creams, or even persons taking water pills as part of blood pressure control, are more sensitive to artificial UV light.

How Does Zoom! Compare to Laser tooth whitening?

Laser whitening and Zoom! Whitening are quite similar and share the same benefits in comparison to days of using strips or wearing trays. However, laser whitening takes less time to perform. With Laser whitening, the whitening agent is specially formulated to respond to the focused energy of the laser, so that the bleaching solution is actually on the teeth significantly fewer minutes than with Zoom. And since post treatment tooth sensitivity/pain generally correlates with the amount of time the bleaching agent is in contact with the teeth, there is likely to be more incidents with Zoom than with a laser.

Click here to learn more about Laser Tooth Whitening!

Another advantage of laser tooth whitening is that it eliminates one of the key drawbacks of Zoom - it doesn't use a sunlamp to activate the bleach, so there is no possibility of sunburn to exposed skin. Instead, the laser light is focused and directed precisely onto the tooth surfaces for maximum whitening power in the least amount of time.

Which do we recommend - Laser tooth whitening or Zoom?

As a state of the art general dentistry and cosmetic practice here in Dallas, we could choose to offer Zoom, laser whitening, or both to our patients. However, we have found laser whitening to be faster for the patient (less time in the dental chair), with less chance of side effects such as sunburn or post treatment tooth sensitivity. Therefore, we only offer LaserSmile™ laser tooth whitening to our patients who wish whiter teeth immediately. If a patient has watched Extreme Makeover and really wants Zoom whitening, we'll be happy to refer them to a Zoom dentist.

* Learn more about laser tooth whitening
* Learn more about Dallas tooth whitening

Zoom!

For those of you reading who wish to learn more about Zoom, we thought we'd go ahead and let you see the Zoom story as presented on their website:

What is Zoom! tooth whitening?

Zoom! is a bleaching process that lightens discoloration of enamel and dentin. The Zoom! Whitening procedure is simple. It begins with a short preparation to isolate your lips and gums. The Zoom! clinician then applies the proprietary Zoom! Whitening Gel, which is activated by a specially designed light. Teeth typically become at least six to ten shades whiter, sometimes more. A five-minute fluoride treatment completes the procedure. You'll be amazed with the results. In most cases, teeth get even whiter the first few days after the procedure.

What causes tooth discoloration?

There are many causes. The most common include aging and consumption of staining substances such as coffee, tea, colas, tobacco, red wine, etc. During tooth formation, consumption of tetracycline, certain antibiotics or excessive fluoride may also cause tooth discoloration.

Who may benefit from tooth whitening?

Almost anyone. However, treatment may not be as effective or some as it is for others. Your dental professional can determine if you are a viable candidate for this procedure through a thorough oral exam, including a shade assessment.

Click here to schedule a complimentary consultation to find out if you would benefit from Tooth Whitening!

Do many people whiten their teeth?

More people than you might imagine. A bright, sparkling smile can make a big difference for everyone. The Zoom! Whitening System makes it easier and faster than ever before.

Is whitening safe?

Yes, extensive research and clinical studies indicate that whitening teeth under the supervision of a dentist is safe. In fact, many dentists consider whitening the safest cosmetic dental procedure available. As with any tooth whitening product, Zoom! is not recommended for children under 13 years of age and pregnant or lactating women.

How long do the results last?

By following some simple post whitening care instructions, your teeth will always be lighter than they were before. To keep your teeth looking their best, we recommend flossing, brushing twice daily with Zoom! Whitening Toothpaste, and occasional touch-ups with Zoom! take-home gel. These are professional formula products designed specifically to keep your teeth their brightest. They are available only through your dental professional.

Schedule a complimentary consultation here to discuss how long results provided by Dallas Laser Dentistry would last for you.

Is there any difference between over-the-counter tooth whiteners and Zoom!

Yes! Consulting your dental professional is always the first step to whitening your teeth safely. Plus, over-the-counter tooth whitening strips, brush-on gels and toothpastes take weeks or months to whiten your teeth just a few shades. Zoom! is clinically proven to whiten your teeth eight shades in one hour or six shades in just one weekend.* Only a dentist can get your teeth this white, this fast.

How does the Zoom! In-Office System work?

The Zoom! light-activated whitening gel's active ingredient is Hydrogen Peroxide. As the Hydrogen Peroxide gel is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin, bleaching colored substances while the structure of the tooth is unchanged. The Zoom! light aids in activating the Hydrogen Peroxide and helps it penetrate the surface of the tooth. A study has shown that use of the Zoom! lamp increases the effectiveness of the Zoom! gel by 33% or more, giving an average improvement of eight shades*.

What does a patient experience during the Zoom! In-Office procedure?

During the procedure, patients may comfortably watch television or listen to music. Many actually fall asleep. Individuals with a strong gag reflex or anxiety may have difficulty undergoing the entire procedure.

Are there any side effects?

Some people experience temporary increased tooth sensitivity to cold during treatment. These symptoms disappear within 1-3 days after interruption or completion of the treatment.

How is exposure to the Zoom! light controlled?

The Zoom! procedure requires that all soft tissue in and around the mouth be protected. The clinician is required to monitor the procedure to insure any exposed skin or tissue is isolated and protected. Protective eyewear is required during the procedure. Light sensitive individuals including those undergoing PUVA (Psoralen+UV Radiation) therapy or other photo-chemotherapy, as well as patients with melanoma, should not undergo the Zoom! In-Office procedure. Also patients taking any light sensitive drugs or substances, whether over-the-counter, prescription or homeopathic, should consult their primary physician prior to procedure.

How long does Zoom! In-Office Whitening take?

The complete procedure takes just over an hour. The procedure begins with a preparation period followed by one hour of bleaching. A five minute fluoride treatment completes the procedure (a cleaning is recommended prior to the actual Zoom! Whitening session).

* Individual results may vary. Take-home results based on overnight wear. Data on file.