Zoom teeth whitening Archives

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.

My white smile is fading only a couple days after Zoom whitening!

September 7, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I have been hiding my ugly, discolored teeth for awhile now. So I finally decided to get Zoom whitening done. But I have to say, although I was really happy at first, that all faded in only a few days. I feel like this is unfair. I don’t think I should have to pay for the treatment since I am unhappy. Why did my whitening fade after only days?

– Vicki in Wisconsin

Vicki,

Teeth whitening results can vary greatly among people. Your dentist really has no way to predict the exact shade. Although, the dentist should have done a better job of explaining what would happen after the procedure. Zoom whitening is typically done in three separate, fifteen minute whitening sessions. In some cases, the dentist will opt to do a fourth if the patient is cooperative. The Zoom whitening system uses a special Zoom light to when teeth and it actually dehydrates teeth. This gives your teeth a bright white effect immediately and then as the teeth rehydrate over the next few days and weeks, the whiteness can fade. This actually happens with almost all teeth whitening cosmetic dentistry treatments. It is very difficult to predict exactly how much it will fade. Many dentists will send patients home with teeth whitening trays so touch up treatments can be performed at home. This technique helps to maintain the whiteness that was achieved in the office. Don’t feel cheated or ripped off. What you have described is quite common. It is unfortunate that you were not better prepared for what would happen after you left the office.

I wanted to ask a cosmetic dentist about the Premium Home Whitening brand products?

September 3, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I saw a Groupon discount offer for something called Premium Home Whitening. It is advertised as a professional grade teeth whitening brand. I wanted to ask a cosmetic dentist if it would be worth it to give it a try?

– Paul in New Jersey

Paul,

Thank you for your question. It is not uncommon to see all sorts of teeth whitening offers on sites like Groupon. They can range from simple take home whitening trays, like Crest Whitening strips to Zoom whitening and everything in between. Also, most dental offices will use this marketing tactic to draw in new patients by offering free teeth whitening. But as far as the particular brand, Premium Home Whitening, here are my two cents.

The main teeth whitening agent in the Premium Home Whitening system is carbamide peroxide at 35 percent. This whitening agent will whiten your teeth. That said, the “cold blue light” probably won’t do anything to intensify or increase the effectiveness of the product. Nothing in the ingredient list or instructions really sets them apart from any other teeth whitening system.

But, I’d caution you to make the purchase for a few reasons. The cost is pretty high, although you didn’t mention the Groupon discounted price. The retail cost is high when you look at professional teeth whitening that you’d get at dentist’s office. When your whitening is overseen by a reputable dentist, the results will be more effective and they will likely double check that you don’t have any immediate issues that need to be addressed prior to treatment.

Then, there’s the safety issue of the formula and process. There have been cases of patients that ended up requiring a root canal treatment after using an over-the-counter whitening system. From a safety perspective, teeth whitening under the supervision of a dentist will ensure your safety. Other issues with take-home whitening systems on the market include damage to gums or existing dental work, cracked or leaky fillings or other sensitivity problems.

Also, you need to take into consideration the fit of the tray from this brand you are considering, will not give you a perfect fit. This is because it isn’t made to fit your teeth perfectly like it would be at a dentist’s office. This could lead to the possibility of the gel leaking and also an uneven coloration. If there are leaks, than the effectiveness goes down too. Gum irritation from an inadequate fit of the tray is also a concern.

So, if you are looking for an endorsement from a cosmetic dentist on this product, you likely won’t get it. That said, most dentists do a good job of whitening and you don’t necessarily need to see an expert cosmetic dentist for teeth whitening treatment. It may be worth your while to call around town to see if you can compare prices between dentists. That way you may end up saving a little money and also have the professional supervision that will ensure your safety, as well as a beautiful white smile. Good luck!

Tooth pain and sensitvity after Zoom whitening.

August 31, 2021 by Brian Sartin

Why do my teeth hurt after getting Zoom whitening done? I didn’t anticipate not being able to eat normally, drink, or heck – even breathe after getting the treatment. Is there something wrong or did my dentist mess up? What is going on? The tooth pain is so intense I’m considering going to urgent care to see if they can do anything. My dentist is gone for the week and I’m left feeling helpless.

– Vic in California

Vic,

Sorry to hear you are having a difficult time after Zoom whitening. Do you typically have sensitive teeth? From the sounds of it, there is a good chance that you do. And for someone that does have sensitive teeth, this is pretty common. The pain should only be temporary and can be managed. It is surprising that your dentist didn’t prepare you for this possibility, especially if you have sensitive teeth.

Your teeth are covered in tiny, microscopic pores or what are referred to as tubules. These pores were opened during the Zoom whitening process so that the whitening agent could penetrate deep into the teeth. It is not uncommon for sensitivity to occur after any teeth whitening treatment for a couple of days following the appointment. Since these tubules were opened, this also means that anything else that you expose your teeth to may irritate the teeth and cause some pain. That is because the food, drink, or even your breath as you mentioned, is reaching the inside of your teeth. It is also important to avoid anything that may cause immediate staining like tea, red wine, and berries for several days immediately following the whitening appointment. All that to be said, some people have more sensitivity than others. Others won’t even notice anything out of the ordinary.

Here is what you can do to manage the discomfort.

Take an over-the-counter ibuprofen or pain reliever as needed for a couple days.
Do your best to breathe using your nose instead of your mouth.
Drinking from a straw will help.
Avoid extreme hot or cold food and drink.
A fluoride rinse can be used to reduce tooth sensitivity. Although, this is typically more effective when it is started prior to getting Zoom done.

In rare instances, patients may have another dental problem that is causing the pain. If the pulp of the tooth is inflamed than you may be dealing with the pain for a longer period of time, up to two weeks. The treatment for this condition is similar. But if the pain doesn’t subside within a few days, call your dentist. They will be able to check you out to make sure there isn’t anything else going on that is causing your discomfort. If the dentist is out of town, there should be another back-up number to call.

As always, if the tooth pain is waking you up at night or is too intense to handle, contact your dentist right away. Professional treatment may include a stronger pain medication or desensitizing treatment.

Thank you 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.