Zoom! whitening Archives - Coleman Dental

How can I ensure avoiding a teeth whitening disaster (a la Ross from Friends)?

September 9, 2021 by Brian Sartin

How can I ensure avoiding a teeth whitening disaster (a la Ross from Friends)?

-Becca in North Dakota

Becca,

Teeth whitening can be a smile brightening, pleasant experience. There are some questions you can ask before making an appointment so you don’t get the glow in the dark, blinding “Ross” look, or end up spending money getting no results at all.

First, you want to know how strong is the bleach that’s being used? The ADA recommends a 10% peroxide solution to be used in an in-home bleaching kit, and a 15-35% peroxide solution for in office bleaching such as Zoom whitening, or other chair side products. You also need to be aware of who’s administering the bleaching. Teeth bleaching should be done by a trained professional only. Certain med spas, and stands at the mall may want to be passed over when looking to have such a delicate procedure done, which is best handled by a trained dentist. Delivering a highly potent agent requires medical oversight, thus decreasing risks for over-bleaching which can cause gum irritation and tooth sensitivity. Also, a trained dentist can oversee the process making sure no other dental therapies are needed due to tooth discoloration (natural teeth vs. caps/porcelain veneers). If only Ross was more proactive when he decided to Zoom his teeth!

This post is sponsored by Houston cosmetic dentist Coleman Dental.

What’s with the blue Zoom light?

September 9, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I just have to ask the question because I can’t stop wondering what’s with the blue light with Zoom whitening? I love my newly whitened smile. I don’t think my smile has ever looked so good. When I was telling my friend about Zoom, she told me I fell for a gimmick and that the blue light is pointless. Is this true? What is the blue light used for in Zoom whitening? Please tell me I didn’t fall for a gag?

-Gentry in New York

Gentry,

It’s possible your friend may have come across the controversial blue light debate online. The blue light is actually LED lights. The lighting runs at different intensities. A home tooth whitening systems may utilize an LED light. In this manner, when it is not done professionally, the light really doesn’t have a purpose. It is for show. So that may be how Zoom’s blue light is getting a bad reputation. These lights on the makeover shows you see on television and in some home whitening systems, utilize a timer and provide the consumer a feeling like something more is happening.

The Zoom whitening systems uses the light to trigger a reaction in the teeth whitening gel. It increases the rate at which the cosmetic dentist will be able to deliver results. When a non-light, Zoom system is used, most dentists agree that the results are not as noticeable. The quality of the blue light matters as well. But to answer your question, the blue light does serve a purpose when used in a professional dentist’s office. The active ingredients are activated when the light is administered during treatment. Your dentist will send you home with Zoom whitening gel for you to use for touch-ups. The at-home treatments, do not require a light. The results you see in the office are much faster than any take-home whitening system and much more dramatic. This is largely due to the combination of the ingredients in the Zoom formula, used with the powerful Zoom light.

Hopefully this helps you build your defense with your friend. The bottom line is that you love your new white smile!

Looking for Zoom to complete my personal makeover.

September 6, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I’m kind of obsessed with makeover reality shows. That said, they did the trick to motivate me. I’m proudly down over 95 pounds and I feel like I deserve Zoom whitening like they show on those shows. I told myself if I met my goal, I could makeover my smile too. When I talked to my dentist, he doesn’t do Zoom. He uses something called Kor whitening. I am kind of disappointed because I’ve been fixated on Zoom whitening since I started my weight loss journey. Is it possible to purchase Zoom personally so I could do it myself? I want the real thing!

– Jo Ann in Missouri

Jo Ann,

That is excellent news about your fantastic weight loss journey. Congratulations!

It sounds like your dentist prefers the Kor whitening system over Zoom whitening. Different dentists have different preferences and typically they will offer one or the other. They are both about the same price, so it’s likely his personal preference. Kor proponents like that the ingredients are kept in their own refrigerator until they are used. It is a very strong whitening system and delivers impressive results.

Zoom also delivers incredible results. Unfortunately, it would not be a good idea to purchase Zoom on your own. You wouldn’t want to try to tackle this kind of cosmetic dentistry procedure on your own. It needs to be professionally applied and monitored by a dentist. There are some malls that have whitening kiosks, but there really is no way to ensure the product is the name brand nor the individuals applying it are trained to do so. The whitening agents in Zoom are very powerful and can cause damage to the surrounding gums and teeth if it is not done correctly.

So it sounds like you have a couple options to complete your transformation. You could search for another dentist that offers Zoom, if that brand name is particularly important. Or you could go with your current dentist and give Kor a try. You will see fabulous results with either teeth whitening system. Just don’t try to cut corners and try something like this at home. You deserve the real thing!

Can I Give My Leftover Zoom Whitening Gel to a Friend?

September 6, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I had Zoom whitening done about a year ago and the doctor gave me a tray and some gel to use at home for touch ups if I wanted. My teeth have retained their color and I’m still happy with them, but the stuff is just sitting around. My best friend has always wanted to try Zoom whitening, and I am thinking about giving her mine. I have four syringes left. That should be enough, I think. Is it safe for me to give her my kit?

Thanks,

Tina in Oregon

Dear Tina,

Your Zoom whitening take-home kit should not be shared. The first concern is the gel itself. Most of the time it’s good for about a year, but your dental office may have had it in stock for a while. There’s a chance that it has expired now, especially if you kept it in a bathroom or other warm environment. It should be clear, but if it’s cloudy or white, that means it’s no longer good. Of course, it still may be ineffective due to age, even if it’s not showing signs.

A second consideration is your friend’s oral health. It’s important to start with clean teeth, so that the gel can work properly. If she hasn’t had a cleaning in a while, trying to lighten her teeth now can lead to splotchy results. It’s also worth noting that the color of dental work won’t change. So, if she has fillings and crowns, those will remain the darker shade. It may not matter for back teeth, but it’s certainly a consideration if she’s had dental work anywhere that shows when she smiles.

Lastly, your trays were custom-made for you. You probably remember having impressions taken, and from those, a stone model was made that’s an exact replica of your teeth. The trays were made from that, and so they will not fit your friend. Even if she can get them on, they won’t be an exact match, which means she runs the risk of uneven whitening and possibly even sore gums from not being able to keep the gel off them.

The bottom line is that it’s a bad idea to share your Zoom teeth whitening kit. While it was a very thoughtful notion, it could leave her with bad results. It’s best if she visits a dentist and has a kit made especially for her, after having an exam and cleaning.

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 Can I Lighten the Color of a Filling?

September 2, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I went through a serious depression a couple of years ago and stopped taking care of myself entirely. I’m back to my normal self again, and I’m trying to update my appearance so I can feel better about the way I look. I wanted to do Zoom Whitening, but it was out of my budget and I wasn’t ready to go to the dentist yet. So, I started using one of those home systems you can buy online. I’ve been using it daily for a few months and my teeth are brighter, but I have a tiny filling on one tooth that didn’t change and it looks funny. Now I’m thinking I’ll have to have Zoom Whitening done. I’d like to go whiter, but if there’s a way to fix this at home for now, I’d really rather do that. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Melissa in Kentucky

Dear Melissa,

Glad to hear you’re doing better. Unfortunately, there isn’t tooth whitening available anywhere that will change the color of a filling – not even Zoom Whitening in the dental office. The color of a filling is permanent, and the only way to correct it is to have the old filling removed, and to replace it with a new one in a lighter shade.

On a side note, it sounds like you’ve been using the home kit quite a bit, probably more than the instructions call for. Some of the weak ones are safe to use daily, but stronger varieties can cause issues when you use them too much. The biggest complaints are chronic tooth pain, gum irritation, and discolored enamel. If you’re having any of these issues, you should stop treatment right away, because the tooth pain will get worse and can cause permanent damage. Some people also report uneven color, which is somewhat common with the systems you can use at home. Again, though, this depends on the strength of the product you are using.

For the best results, it’s a good idea to go and have a consultation with your dentist. Any kind of whitening system works better on clean teeth, and it’s certainly wise to have a checkup. Plus, the doctor will be able to evaluate your progress and help you troubleshoot any issues you are having. If you want to go brighter and the regular in-office system is out of your reach financially, you can have custom trays made with professional-strength solution for a fraction of the price.

Will Zoom whitening work to even out color of teeth.

August 30, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I was wondering if Zoom whitening will work to even out uneven color. My daughter just got her braces off, which was a bigger deal than Christmas around here. Unfortunately, the excitement was short lived because she has really white spots all over her teeth, now that her braces are gone. My brother-in-law is a family dentist and he suggested we try Zoom whitening. Nothing against family, but I want to ask a professional before finding someone here. We just moved here and don’t have a regular dentist in place. I just want to make sure I know what I’m looking for and don’t put my daughter through any extra stress. Was something done wrong during her orthodontic treatment?

-Jen in New Mexico

Jen,

Well, it’s always good to start with family. In this case, your brother-in-law is not correct. It sounds like his focus is likely general dentistry and in regard to your daughter’s issue, a cosmetic dentist is the way to go. Although Zoom whitening is a highly effective teeth whitening treatment, it will fail for uneven color issues. Many times Zoom or other teeth whitening used on white spots will actually make the white spots stand out more than they already do.

It is difficult to give you specific recommendations without having seen your daughter’s case in person. But under most circumstances, when there are white spots left after the braces are removed, it’s decalcification. This isn’t uncommon and usually occurs if there are some oral hygiene issues while the braces are in place. The best thing to do at this time is to have a consultation with an excellent cosmetic dentist in your area. You will be much better served with a cosmetic dentist over a general or family dentist. There is a product that may work well to re-mineralize those white spots, called Tooth Mousse. It is specially formulated to target white spots caused by decalcification, just like your daughter has. Or microabrasion is a possibility. But microabrasion does have some drawbacks because it tends to make the teeth look more creamy than white.

The best option, assuming you go to an expert cosmetic dentist, is direct dental bonding. The enamel that is damaged would be removed and a composite bonding material would be placed directly over those white spots. This method will help protect the tooth from any further decay and will look natural and beautiful.

Your daughter deserves to be smiling after putting in her time with braces. A cosmetic dentist is definitely the way to go. Thank you for your question.

Will Zoom whitening help even out the color of teeth?

August 29, 2021 by Brian Sartin

My youngest daughter is ecstatic about getting her braces off. Finally! But she was left with some spots all over her teeth. The dentist recommended we get Zoom whitening. Well, we did and the spots are still there. Did the dentist mess it up or something?

– Becky in Pennsylvania

Becky,

This is a loaded question and you didn’t even realize it. The elephant in the room is that there is a big difference from the way a general dentist and a skilled cosmetic dentist view things. A general dentist that doesn’t have any extra training in cosmetic dentistry can really mess things up. Fundamentally, dentists are trained to fix some sort of functional problem. But a true cosmetic dentist is an artist. They are of course concerned with function, yet want to provide absolutely beautiful results.

It sounds as if your dentist may not have been that experienced in using Zoom whitening. Zoom can significantly whiten teeth by several shades, but it is not appropriate for uneven coloration. White spots can actually be made worse with teeth whitening treatments. It’s not just Zoom, any bleaching has that affect.

Making an assumption that the white spots are because your daughter just had her braces removed, means that they were likely caused by decalcification. This can occur from poor oral hygiene while the orthodontics were in place. Tooth Mousse is a product that was created to fix this common problem for individuals that have spots left over from braces. Or microabrasion is another possibility, if indeed this is what the issue is. The only issue with the latter is that it may make the teeth creamier than whiter and brighter.

If you can find an excellent cosmetic dentist, dental bonding will work well to cover the spots. The enamel will be removed slightly where the spots are occurring and then composite is permanently bonded over those areas. Dental bonding will also help to prevent the tooth decay that has been forming in those spots. It will blend in perfectly. You will not be able to tell where the spots once were.

Great question!

What is the best to fix my white spots – Zoom, porcelain veneers or something else?

August 29, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I have had white spots on my teeth my entire life. My mom told me that they developed on my teeth when I was very young. I ended up with braces as a teen and I have a feeling that didn’t help my situation. The white spots on my front teeth are very noticeable. I’ve been with the same family dentist for as long as I can remember. He told me that my teeth are healthy. He said that my teeth are in good condition and I’m only in my twenties. So, I shouldn’t try to fix something that doesn’t need to be fixed. But, I hate my white spots. I find myself being self conscious. So, I’ve been researching different options and I keep coming back to teeth whitening with something like Zoom or maybe porcelain veneers. Would Crest Whitestrips be strong enough for something like this? I’m afraid Zoom would actually make the white spots whiter. Does that make sense? Maybe porcelain veneers would be the best fit. I’d love to hear your feedback?

– Carrie in New York

Carrie,

If it’s not broken, don’t fix it, is very typical of general dentists. His response is quite telling in his experience and understanding of cosmetic dentistry. He is being honest and likely has your best interest in mind. But, it truly doesn’t sounds like he is a cosmetic dentist. And that’s okay. Stick with him for your regular routine care. But, you need to find an excellent cosmetic dentist in your area to address the white spots. There is a fundamental different between general dentists and cosmetic dentists. A cosmetic dentist is like an artist. They believe that everybody deserves a beautiful smile. An experienced cosmetic dentist will also have extensive training beyond dental school. So, it sounds like it’s time to seek another opinion. A general dentist is trained to fix things and has a more functional mindset.

As far as the correct treatment option, teeth whitening treatments like Zoom whitening, will not work for you. Your instincts are right. Whitening the spots, may make them worse. Steer clear of any dentist that recommends whitening treatments.

An expert cosmetic dentist will be able to give you specific treatment options. If the spots aren’t too large, you may be a dental bonding candidate. Or, porcelain veneers may be the better option for you. It’s difficult to give recommendations without having seen your case in person. So, you need to find a reputable cosmetic dentist and ask to see examples of cases similar to yours. It is also possible to have the teeth whitened to brighten the majority of your smile. Then, you could get the spots fixed and the cosmetic dentistry could be made to blend in perfectly with the surrounding teeth.

Thank you for your question. Hopefully, this gives you some options to consider.

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.