Zoom bleaching Archives - Coleman Dental

Is the mall teeth whitening really Zoom?

September 11, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I have been thinking about getting my teeth whitened and have called to a couple dentist offices about Zoom. Unfortunately it’s too expensive for me. One of the dentists I called said he could give me some take home whitening system but it wasn’t Zoom. I came across this mall kiosk that offered bleaching and I think it said it was Zoom. But how can they offer Zoom whitening for only a hundred bucks? Is it too good to be true?

– Gina in Georgia

Gina,

Your instincts are probably correct. The mall kiosk whitening system is likely not Zoom whitening. Maybe they had a sign that said it was comparable or like Zoom. But Zoom whitening is created to be done by a professional dentist. They need to oversee the whitening process to ensure everything goes well. It is difficult to give you much more info on that mall whitening kiosk because there is no way to know what kind of whitening agent or active ingredient it contains. It is possible it is hydrogen peroxide or possibly carmaide peroxide. If it does actually contain these agents, it may be effective. Again, there is just no way to know for sure without going back and asking more about it.

Many people jump into a deal like the one at the mall and then have problems because the staff typically aren’t dental professionals. At a dental office the whole treatment and visit will be closely monitored and you know without a doubt their products are strong and will deliver dramatic results. A dentist cannot offer this type of system without certain safety processes in place.

There are Zoom-like systems outside of dentist offices that have left people with horror stories like burned gums and extremely sensitive teeth. So although the teeth whitening deal is good, it’s still best to go through a dentist’s office.

Another important factor that isn’t controlled in a mall setting is the sterilization. There is a good chance the equipment to properly sanitize the equipment and instruments is not available in a retail setting. Again, you are also dealing with potentially untrained staff. So there is likely an increased risk for infection occurring in a non-controlled environment.

At the off-chance the mall retailer you are referring to does offer Zoom whitening, remember it’s the professional that is administering it that is the most important. So be careful. Maybe it would be wise to look into the take-home trays that the dentist you called was mentioning. Although, the results take a little longer, take-home professional teeth whitening is very effective if done correctly. Take home trays are also less expensive.

Can false teeth be whitened?

September 5, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I was born without my two lateral incisors. I wanted to get dental implants in the next few years but currently I have two false teeth that are attached to a retainer to fill the gaps. My teeth are discolored and I have been wanting to get them whitened. Does teeth whitening work on false teeth?

– John in Kentucky

John,

Unfortunately, false teeth cannot be whitened. Actually, any kind of prosthetic or restoration will not whiten, including porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns, or dental bonding. This is because the teeth whitening agents are only effective on living surfaces. The oxygen is released to penetrate deep into the tooth. This also means that if a tooth has had a root canal, the only way it can be whitened is with internal whitening because nerves inside the tooth are no longer living. Zoom whitening will not work either.

You can use teeth whitening on your teeth prior to getting the permanent dental implants. At that time you can choose the shade you want and then have the implant dentist match the shade of your whitened teeth. If you can’t wait to whiten your teeth and want to do it now, you can always get a new retainer made and have the false teeth made to match.

Thanks for your question!

How white will Zoom whitening go?

August 29, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I have been waiting for a long time to get my teeth whitened. Well, two days ago I did Zoom! I think the appointment went well. But I honestly thought the results would be more dramatic. I can still see a brown discoloration if I look closely. I thought they would be dazzling white like all the brochures say. Did the dentist do something wrong? Or is there a limit to what Zoom whitening can accomplish?

– Sheila in Washington

Sheila,

It sounds like you had an experience that is uncharacteristic to Zoom whitening. Typically, Zoom gives significantly whiter teeth right after the appointment. The results are immediate and can fade over a couple days.

Although, there are limitations to what Zoom can do. If you had severe staining, then you may need to undergo more than one treatment. It may end up taking two appointments to achieve the dazzling white smile you are after. Zoom can also give you some side effects, like sensitivity from the powerful whitening agents. So be careful with how soon you seek additional treatment. Also, the week following Zoom, the color does stabilize so be sure to avoid food or drink that stains teeth for the best results.

Was your dentist an experienced cosmetic dentist? Because if you weren’t a candidate because of severe discoloration, the dentist should have managed your expectations. Or possible recommended a different cosmetic dentistry solution. It sounds like you need to follow-up with your dentist in a few days to monitor the coloration. If you are unhappy after some time has passed, ask your dentist if the treatment can be repeated to get to your desired whiteness. Also, did your dentist provide take-home teeth whitening gel to continue the whitening? If not, request that the take-home method is used.

Sorry to hear you don’t have raving reviews for Zoom. It sounds like there needs to be some follow-up to your dentist to see what happened. Good luck and thanks for sharing your story.

Do I need sedation for Zoom?

August 28, 2021 by Brian Sartin

My teeth are very, very sensitive! But I have been wanting to whiten my teeth for awhile and I am finally moving forward with getting Zoom! Since I have never had a cavity filled or really any other dental issue (aside from sensitivity) I don’t have anything to compare it to. I’m kind of freaking out about having the Zoom done because I’m afraid it will hurt my super sensitive teeth. I’ve read about people having sensitivity after the procedure so I think mine will be intense. I also had a friend that had Zoom whitening and she said she has never been in so much pain before! Do you think the dentist would do sedation dentistry for me since my teeth are already sensitive?

– Trisha in California

Trisha,

Sensitivity is not uncommon after professional teeth whitening techniques, like Zoom whitening. That said, it is virtually unheard of for a dentist to use sedation dentistry for this type of procedure. Sedation is more commonly used for restorative work like crowns or root canal treatments, that sort of thing. There are people that use sedation if they have had a bad experience in the past and they are particularly fearful. So although it’s not out of the question, it probably wouldn’t be recommended.

Oral sedation will make you indifferent to what is going on and will actually feel like you were asleep during the procedure. But it really is unnecessary for a non-painful procedure like Zoom whitening. Your sensitivity may be heightened for a couple days following the procedure, but it shouldn’t be painful. You may feel a couple zings or unique sensations, but nothing too bothersome. You can talk to your dentist about any recommendations like fluoride treatments or fluoride mouthwash that may help with desensitizing the teeth after the procedure. The cosmetic dentist may actually be able to prescribe a stronger fluoride formulation than you could get over the counter. So be upfront with your dentist about your concern. And if you feel any discomfort during the procedure, tell your dentist right away. The use of the Zoom light can be limited or discontinued if necessary.

Try not to get yourself worked up! It won’t hurt and you will have a beautiful, white smile when it’s all said and done.

My teeth are tingling after Zoom whitening.

August 28, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I am wondering if it’s normal to feel extreme sensitivity after getting Zoom whitening done? I had my appointment yesterday. During the last round of treatment I starting noticing my teeth felt tingly. When I woke up, they are even more tingly than before. When I mentioned this to the dentist yesterday, he told me it is normal and usually lasts for a couple days afterwards. Have you heard of this?

– Jess in Missouri

Jess,

Sensitivity is common with Zoom whitening and really any kind of teeth whitening treatment. The peroxide is what most whitening products contain and it can cause sensitivity. In most cases, the sensitivity or “tingling” will subside in a week at the most.

If after two weeks, you still have the tingling sensation you are describing, make sure you contact your dentist and make an appointment to be seen. There may be other issues that need to be addressed. Sometimes extreme sensitivity may indicate a cavity, receding of the gums, or exposed dentin. These issues would have likely have existed prior to the Zoom whitening but may have been aggravated or worsened from the whitening agents and chemicals in the formulas.

Try not to worry too much about it. The sensitivity almost always goes away on its own. Over the counter toothpastes like Sensodyne or fluoride rinses may help in the short-term.

Can Zoom whitening be used on a child’s yellow teeth?

August 15, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I had Zoom whitening done and love it. My son had a set of beautiful white teeth as a toddler. I loved seeing his beautiful smile in photos. As teeth started falling out, and the permanent ones came in, I can’t help but to notice how yellow they are! I don’t know why his teeth are yellow, especially since we have a good brushing routine. Honestly, they just grew in that way! He’s only nine years old. But, I don’t want his yellow teeth to be a problem for him when he gets a little older. Can we do something like Zoom whitening for him at this age? Or anything else to help whiten his teeth?

-Sandra in Connecticut

Sandra,

Thank you for your question. One of the biggest observations parents make when kids start growing their permanent teeth (around 6-7 years old), is how much darker they are than baby teeth. That is actually quite normal, so no need to panic!

This is just one of many ways that primary and permanent teeth differ. Permanent teeth have a much larger amount of dentin (the inner hard part of the tooth), which is yellow in color. Since enamel (the hard outer surface of the tooth) is translucent, that yellow color shows through more. Primary teeth not only have much less dentin, but the dentin is much lighter in color; thus giving them a whiter appearance. The new adult teeth may appear extra yellow as they grow in right next to a light baby tooth, making it almost impossible not to compare.

New adult yellow teeth are perfectly normal, and even expected! But, to answer your question, it is not recommended to look into Zoom whitening. That includes any kind of teeth bleaching trays, or other whitening products until much later into their teen years, should this still be an issue. Once all the permanent teeth grow in, they will blend much better, and won’t have such a yellow appearance.

Thank you for your question. You are not alone in having this concern.