Dr. Dennis offers take-home and the KöR whitening system. Another whitening option is Zoom. This is an in-office system that is light enhanced to provide strong whitening action in a relatively short period of time. After offering Zoom for a while, we decided that, since KöR is more effective, we would not be offering Zoom. For more information, please see our KöR whitening page.
Teeth Whitening at a Glance
When we are children, our permanent teeth come in with their own unique coloration. The pigment that causes this color resides under the tooth enamel in the dentin layer. Brightly colored foods, tea, coffee, tobacco, and wine all introduce new pigmentation into the dentin as we grow older. In order to remove these stains, a strong peroxide solution needs to penetrate the enamel and release oxygen, which oxidizes the stains permanently. Peroxide will even oxidize some of the original pigmentation to obtain teeth that are whiter than they ever were. Over-the-counter whitening products are not very effective because they either don’t stay on the teeth long enough to penetrate or do not provide a strong enough peroxide.
The Zoom Whitening Procedure
As with the other teeth whitening methods we offer, Dr. Dennis will begin by completing an exam to make sure your teeth are clean and that you have no cracked teeth or loose fillings that could lead to sensitivity. Then we will prepare you for the Zoom whitening session. First we’ll protect your lips and cheeks, gums and other soft tissues so they are not affected by the process. Once that’s done, we’ll coat your teeth with a peroxide gel and place the special Zoom light in front of your mouth. This light speeds the progress of oxidation, so your teeth become whiter faster.
Once your treatment is complete, you’ll notice a dramatic difference. This bright whiteness will typically fade a bit over the course of the first few days, but still leave your teeth whiter than they were before. The number of treatments you need to achieve the whiteness you desire will vary, but you should either follow up with at-home whitening or count on a few different treatments. The whitening effect is permanent, but you’ll continue to accumulate new stains, so you’ll want to have a touch-up treatment every once in a while. We have a White Teeth for Life program, so you’ll receive these touch-up treatments for free.
The Pros and Cons of Zoom
Zoom whitening is very effective, and it can whiten your teeth more quickly and easily than the take-home method. And you won’t have to remember to wear your teeth-whitening trays at home. But it is more expensive than the take-home method, and it can cause sensitivity in some patients. This sensitivity usually resolves itself within a short period of time, but it can feel like a strong zinging sensation immediately after treatment. However, the use of ibuprofen before the zinging starts can prevent this.
The Zoom light also desiccates the teeth, giving a frosty, white look at the end of the appointment which fades after a few days. There can be a sense of disappointment in patients when that whiter look fades.
You can learn more by reading our teeth whitening page and our KöR Whitening page. If you would like assistance in deciding which treatment is right for you, just give us a call or request an appointment. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and get you set up with an appointment time that works for you.