The Zoom Teeth Whitening Experience: Everything You Need To Know
Teeth whitening with Zoom has become wildly popular in the last 10 years or so. Zoom technology was invented by the Philips Oral Healthcare company. You may recognize the brand name from their popular products like the Philips Sonicare electric toothbrush.
Zoom allows dentists to provide their patients with instant teeth whitening treatment. As in, you’ll actually see same-day results.
Tooth discoloration is normal as we get older. The foods and drinks you consume (such as coffee) can even speed up the rate your teeth start to yellow.
We know that a lot of people in Los Angeles are looking for a quick and permanent solution to change yellow teeth. However, before you book your teeth whitening procedure, you may want to know exactly what you’re signing up for.
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What is Zoom Teeth Whitening?
Did you know that at-home teeth whitening products work because of one ingredient? That ingredient is hydrogen peroxide.
And while some of these products can work to whiten your smile, it takes a long time— and may not work at all.
Dentists use a hydrogen peroxide concentrate of 10-40%. On the other hand, your CVS whitening products contain less than 10% and your standard bottle of hydrogen peroxide is only 3% concentrate. This is why DIY teeth whitening takes longer. If you have intrinsic staining on your teeth, then chances are you won’t be able to see any difference at all.
On the flip side, Zoom technology uses a combination of high concentrate peroxide and their special Zoom Advanced Power Chairside Lamp to whiten your teeth.
Your teeth can actually get up to 8 shades whiter in just 45 minutes!
How It Works
The combination of the Zoom lamp (sometimes called a Zoom laser) and a high concentration peroxide gel allows dental experts to get you immediate results.
The lamp’s ultraviolet lights break down the whitening gel. As it oxidizes, the gel attacks the stains on your teeth, making teeth appear whiter.
The shape of the lamp is another reason why this procedure is so effective. It covers your entire set of teeth, making it possible to get an even, white smile.
Sounds too good to be true, right? There has to be a catch!
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Is Zoom Painful?
The number one concern we get about this treatment (besides the price, which we’ll get into in a minute) is pain.
Fortunately, Zoom whitening is safe for your teeth. The only side effects you may experience from this type of intense whitening is:
- Gum sensitivity: This should subside after a few hours.
- Irritated soft tissue: This is why reading dentist reviews is so important. Make sure your dentist is experienced in Zoom treatments or else you may experience white spots, chemical irritation, or soreness after your whitening.
- Thinning Enamel: This treatment strips away the discoloration on your tooth’s top layer, known as the enamel. However, this also means the enamel is thinner which can cause hot/cold sensitivity. Stay away from foods that are bad for your teeth and don’t overdo it with at-home teeth whitening products.
Is it the Best Option?
Just because your whitening toothpaste or Crest Whitening strips aren’t working right away doesn’t mean you need to go all-in on professional treatment. It can take weeks, if not months, to see those results.
So if that’s the route you want to try first, we definitely recommend it! You just have to be patient.
If you don’t see a significant difference in your teeth shade within 6-8 weeks, book a consultation with your dentist. Some reasons you may not see results from DIY teeth whitening are:
- You have dental trauma: Tooth damage can affect the nerves in your teeth and cause permanent discoloration.
- You have cavities: Yes, you can get cavities on your front teeth, too! These will need to be fixed with a tooth-colored filling. Afterward, you may need to whiten the rest of your teeth to match your filling.
- Your enamel is done: Meaning, years of smoking, drinking coffee, or simply aging have destroyed your enamel. When your enamel thins out, it exposes the underlying dentin, which is yellow. If this is the case, you may need veneers instead.
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Zoom Treatment Versus Teeth Bleaching Kits
So far, you know that the reason Zoom teeth whitening is so effective is because of the fancy lamp technology. But now there are over-the-counter teeth bleaching kits that come with these LED lights.
Shouldn’t they produce the same results?
Nope! And the reason for that is because there’s actually a legal limit to how much hydrogen peroxide an over-the-counter product can use. Here in the U.S., it’s 6% while in the UK it’s only 0.1%. A higher concentrate may be available if the whitening ingredient is carbamide peroxide which isn’t as potent (or effective) as hydrogen peroxide.
There are actually some “illegal” teeth whitening products being sold on places like Ali Express with the promise to whiten your teeth akin to a professional procedure.
These products are deemed illegal because they are dangerous. Too high of a concentrate of hydrogen peroxide can cause problems such as:
- Inflammation
- Long-lasting hot/cold tooth sensitivity
- Damaged enamel
- Pain
But back to your question. Let’s assume you want to use the ADA-approved teeth whitening kit by Auraglow. While we highly recommend this at-home product, it’s still not going to produce the same results as Zoom teeth whitening.
Just take a look at the differences between the two.
- Auraglow Teeth Whitening: This comes with 35% carbamide peroxide gel. While the concentration is high, carbamide peroxide isn’t as effective as hydrogen peroxide (which is about 3.5 times stronger). It can take 7 days to see results (7 shades lighter). Unguided use and repeated use can cause sensitivity, white spots, and the other problems listed above.
- Zoom Teeth Whitening: It takes 45 minutes to see better results (10 shades lighter as opposed to 7). There is little irritation because of the professional-grade Zoom teeth whitening lamp. Zoom dentists also use up to 40% hydrogen peroxide and administer a sensitivity gel right after the procedure. You’ll also be sent home with a custom tray (similar to Auraglow’s) with minimal upkeep.
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Zoom Teeth Whitening vs Laser
Dentists who don’t offer Zoom whitening treatments may offer laser teeth whitening instead. These may sound the same, but there is a significant difference.
Zoom teeth whitening uses ultraviolet light that targets all of your teeth at once in 15-minute intervals.
Laser teeth whitening, on the other hand, targets one tooth at a time. They also use a laser light which is harsher than the light provided by Zoom technology. It’s generally safe, but it can cause more sensitivity if not properly administered.
The procedure for laser teeth whitening is also different. Laser whitening uses peroxide that foams after it’s administered.
That’s why we invested in Zoom teeth whitening at Lasry Dental Clinic. We honestly recommend finding a dentist that offers Zoom over laser whitening services.
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Your Consultation
If there are any questions we haven’t answered by the end of this, you can always book a Free first-time consultation at Lasry Dental Clinic.
However, we (or whomever your dentist might be) won’t be able to tell if you’re a good fit for teeth whitening without seeing you in person and knowing your past dental history.
What we recommend is first getting a consultation to discuss your whitening goals. From there, we’re going to recommend that you come in for a cleaning.
This not only knocks one of your bi-annual cleanings off your To-Do list, but we’ll be able to analyze whether or not Zoom teeth whitening is even possible for you.
The truth is, you might need other procedures performed first. Maybe you have a cavity the requires a filling. Or maybe you need veneers, crowns, or a root canal. We will more than likely recommend teeth whitening after these kinds of treatments because we’ll need to get your regular teeth to match your veneer or filling.
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Zoom Teeth Whitening Procedure
One of the best things about this treatment is how long it takes. Zoom teeth whitening treatment usually takes under an hour depending on your sensitivity levels and the current shade of your teeth.
Here’s how the process works.
Step 1. Cleaning your teeth
You should come prepared with clean teeth already, but we’ll do a brief cleaning regardless. We’ll need to make sure there isn’t any plaque or debris on your teeth before we move on to step 2.
This is also when we’ll ask you to pick out the shade of white you’re hoping to achieve!
Step 2: The Fitting
You’ll get to wear some cool, protective eyewear during your short appointment. Your dental hygienist will also need to fit you for a protective cover that leaves only your gums and teeth fully visible.
Step 3: Lights, Gel, Action
Next, we’ll coat your teeth in our high concentrate hydrogen peroxide whitening gel. Then, you get to lean back and relax for 15 minutes while the first round of lightning treatment is done.
Zoom teeth whitening is done in 15-minute intervals. This not only gives you a bit of a break, but it also gives us a chance to check on the progress of your teeth. We may add more gel or adjust the light settings based on what we see.
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Aftercare Instructions
After your 45-minute session, you’re free to go! You’ll be instructed not to consume food for a few hours after your procedure. It’s especially important to avoid teeth-staining drinks like coffee, wine, or soda for a few days after your Zoom treatment.
Your dentist will provide you with custom-fitted trays and gel for at-home upkeep. You’ll only need to use these about once a month or as recommended by your dentist.
Sensitive and or whitening toothpaste is recommended for aftercare for your Zoom whitening treatment.
How Much Does Teeth Whitening Zoom Cost?
On average, you can expect your teeth whitening Zoom treatment to cost a minimum of $500. This is not true for every dentist, so make sure you ask the price during your consultation.
Prices depend on your location, your dentist’s experience and equipment, and the state of your teeth.
Let’s compare the price of professional teeth whitening to over-the-counter products:
Option #1: Crest White Strips
- Cost: $40 for about 20 strips
- Repeat sessions: Daily for 7-30 days
- Time to see results: Up to 1 month (Varies per person)
- Cost x Repeat purchases: $40 x 12 = $480/year
Option #2: Auraglow
- Cost: $80 for about 20 uses
- Repeat sessions: 30 minutes a day for 7-14 days
- Time to see results: 1-3 months (Varies per person)
- Cost x Repeat purchases: $80 x 4=$320/year or $80 x 6= $480 year
Option #3: Zoom Teeth Whitening
- Cost: $500
- Repeat sessions: Once every 1 or 2 years
- Time to see results: 45 minutes
- Cost x Repeat purchases: $500 x 1 = $500/year
As you can see, time is a huge factor in whether or not Zoom teeth whitening is worth the cost. You’ll spend more time and the same amount of money doing DIY whitening methods at home.
So if you’re looking for teeth whitening with the least amount of maintenance and money, Zoom whitening is your answer.
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How Long Does It Last?
Teeth whitening with Zoom last anywhere from 12-24 months. Your oral hygiene routine, how well you follow aftercare instructions, and what you consume will determine the length of your whitening results.
Zoom Teeth Whitening Results
Here are a few before and after Zoom teeth whitening results from Lasry Dental Clinic’s patients!
Such a shit. The pictures before and after show two different persons. They doesn’t present the real effect of the whitening.
I appreciate the detailed breakdown of the procedure, the potential benefits, and the precautions to take. It’s reassuring to know that the Zoom teeth whitening process is safe and efficient when administered by a professional.