“ZOOM WHITENING” continued

We are proud to announce the arrival of the zoom whitening procedure in our cosmetic dental office.  Your smile is always important to us.   It is one of the first things that you notice when you meet someone.  A whiter, brighter smile is beautiful.  It can make you feel better and you will be able to make a memorable impression.

The Zoom! In-Office Whitening System will make your teeth dramatically whiter in less than an hour.  The procedure is simple.  It begins with a short preparation to cover your lips and gums, leaving only your teeth exposed.  The Zoom! clinician then applies the proprietary Zoom! Whitening Gel, which was designed to be used with a specially designed light.  The Zoom! Light and gel work together to gently penetrate your teeth, breaking up stains and discoloration.  With proper care your smile will sparkle for years.

Your lifestyle and the aging process can stain your teeth over the years.  There are a lot of things we do that can contribute to the staining, such as drinking tea, coffee, dark soft drinks, red wine or smoking.  Zoom Whitening can change all that!

There are a lot of frequently asked questions about the Zoom product and procedure in our Glendale cosmetic dental office.  Here are some of them:

1.  What is Zoom whitening? Zoom is a bleaching process that lightens some of the discolorations in the enamel and dentin with hydrogen peroxide and the Zoom light.

2.  How long will the procedure take? The complete procedure takes about an hour.  There is a preparation period followed by the bleaching process, which is about 45 minutes.

3.  What will I experience during the procedure? While you are in the comfort of our dental chairs, you may watch cable TV or listen to one of the many music channels we have to offer to make your whitening visit as easy as possible.  If you have a severe gag reflex, this procedure may be uncomfortable for you.  Nitrous Oxide is available to help minimize this.

4.  Are there any side effects? Sensitivity during the procedure may occur with some patients.  The Zoom light generates minimal heat, which is the usual source of the sensitivity.  On some occasions, a tingling sensation may occur in the teeth after the procedure or sometimes during.  We have sensitive toothpaste that we can give you for afterwards.  Ibuprophine prior to the procedure and after can help with any tingling sensitivity.

5.  Is Zoom 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 teeth one of the safest cosmetic dental procedures available.  As with any tooth whitening product, Zoom is not recommended for children under the age of 13 or pregnant women.

6.  Can I use trays following the zoom procedure to reach a lighter shade if I desire? Yes.  For many patients, tray bleaching is required to reach the maximum lightness possible.  Variables include the darkness level of your teeth initially, how effective the Zoom procedure was and whether you are satisfied with the outcome.

7.  How does Zoom whitening compare to tray bleaching? If you are diligent with the tray wear, in most cases it can exceed the results with the Zoom procedure.  Zoom is terrific for patients who do not want to wear trays or who want to shorten the tray process.

8.  What is the cost of Zoom? Zoom Whitening is $500. Tray bleaching is $300.

9.  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, and occasional touch-ups.

10.  How does the Zoom In-office system work? The Zoom light activated whitening gel’s active ingredient is Hydrogen Peroxide.  As the Hydrogen Peroxide 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 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 26% or more, giving an average improvement of eight shades.

11.  How is the 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 therapy or other photochemotherapy, or 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 of homeopathic, should consult their primary care physician prior to the procedure. 

Here are photographs of the Zoom procedure