If given the opportunity, most people would welcome a whiter, more lustrous smile. Even among people who take great care of their teeth on a daily basis, discoloration is a common problem that diminishes a smile’s shade. A professional teeth whitening procedure is therefore a great way to quickly and effectively tackle this problem.
At our office, we offer Zoom Teeth Whitening! Zoom is a whitening product for professional-grade treatment that will both remove stains from teeth and brighten enamel. Use the following information as a guide for the whitening process and to understand exactly what treatment entails.
Zoom!® In-Office Whitening
When you come into our office for teeth whitening, you benefit from a quick and easy procedure. Within an hour or less, you can achieve a smile that is up to eight shades brighter that will last for years. From start to finish, Zoom teeth whitening uses the following steps:
- First, gums, cheeks, and lips will be blocked off from teeth, in order to prevent accidental contact with the whitening gel.
- The gel will then be carefully applied by the dentist over each tooth.
- The gel will be left on for approximately 15 minutes, during which time a special light will also be directed onto teeth. This light “activates” the gel, facilitating its absorption by enamel.
- The gel will be removed and a new coat will be applied. This process repeats two times for a total of three 15-minute whitening sessions.
Once the third application of gel has completed, you should see a noticeable difference in the shade of your teeth. At this point, you are free to head home or even go back to work, as no recovery is needed. However, patients do tend to experience increased tooth sensitivity after treatment, lasting one or two days. To gain a better understanding of what your sensitivity will be and what you can do to lessen it, speak with your cosmetic dentist.
Zoom!® Treatment at Home
Although professional whitening is traditionally performed at our office, we also offer a take-home kit that can provide similar results. This kit is a great way for patients to whiten on their own schedule, and allows patients to use a lower concentration of bleaching agent at any one time. As a result, treatment can be more convenient as well as more comfortable.
When you receive your whitening kit, a mold of your teeth will also be used to create a customized set of trays. These trays will serve as the device with which the gel will be applied to teeth. Zoom!’s®NiteWhite technique allows patients to simply fill their trays with gel, place the trays over their teeth, and go to sleep as they normally would. As patients sleep, their teeth will be very gradually whitened. Depending on one’s desired results and the gel’s strength, patients can finish treatment in three days to two weeks.
What Does Whitening Gel Contain?
Zoom!®gel primarily contains a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, potassium nitrate, and amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP). Hydrogen peroxide is commonly used as a bleaching agent, reducing surface stains and serving as the primary means of tooth whitening. Potassium nitrate and ACP reduce one’s sensitivity to the peroxide, and the latter also helps remineralize enamel to reduce any harmful effects of treatment. As a result, Zoom!® whitening gel is safe and helps patients experience less discomfort afterward.
How Long Will the Effects Last?
Our Zoom!® whitening treatment will permanently remove surface stains from your teeth, producing a smile that will also be brighter than if you had not underwent treatment. Still, if you currently have discoloration, there is a strong chance that more stains will accumulate in the future. On average, patients do not see any significant change in their results for up to five years after teeth whitening. Of course, positive hygiene habits and regular professional cleanings will help prolong the health and appearance of your teeth.
Contact Our Office
We are ready to assist you with any questions you may have about our cosmetic treatment options. For more information on our services or to inquire about a recent procedure, contact our office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kohler.