Teeth whitening is one of the simplest ways to quickly improve the way your smile looks aside from dental crowns. Over time, teeth can become stained or discolored. With the bleaching services we offer, you can remove that stain or discoloration that has accrued over time. Our office offers both take home bleaching and in-office bleaching to achieve a brighter, whiter smile.

Take Home Whitening

At-home teeth whitening treatments are performed by the patient at home using a bleaching kit that is purchased from a dentist. The kit contains a bleaching gel, mouth tray, and instructions. The patient will first brush their teeth, then fill the mouth tray with the bleaching gel and place it over their teeth. The patient will wear the mouth tray for a designated amount of time before rinsing their mouth and removing the tray.

Zoom Teeth Whitening

Zoom is a bleaching process widely used throughout the country and worldwide to lighten discoloration of enamel and dentin. Tooth discoloration may result from drinking coffee, tea, cola, and red wine or from smoking. The aging process also can stain and darken your teeth. The Zoom in-office tooth whitening procedure uses the Zoom Advanced Power Chairside Lamp – said to accelerate the bleaching process – to activate the 25 percent hydrogen peroxide whitening. As the hydrogen peroxide is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin to bleach the stained substances, leaving the tooth’s structure unchanged.

Consultation and Treatment Planning

Before deciding whether Zoom in-office teeth whitening is right for you, your dentist will conduct a comprehensive examination of your teeth and gums to ensure proper health and talk with you about your oral hygiene and lifestyle habits to determine if you will benefit from whitening. This will help you and your dentist agree on the whitening product or technique that’s best for you.

Your dentist may also require you to undergo whitening if you are planning other cosmetic dental procedures, such as veneers or composite bonding, to ensure a better match between the restoration and your natural dentition or after the removal of braces. Depending on the condition of your teeth and your goals for changing the look of your smile, whitening may not be your best option.

During your consultation and evaluation, your dentist also will note existing dental work, such as crowns and veneers, which will not respond to conventional whitening agents.

The Zoom Procedure

The procedure takes less than an hour, but a regular teeth cleaning is recommended before the Zoom teeth whitening session. The procedure begins with a short preparation to cover the lips and gums, exposing the teeth. The dentist or dental assistant then applies the Zoom hydrogen peroxide whitening gel, which works with the Zoom light to penetrate the teeth and break up the stains and discoloration. The gel remains in place for 15 minutes while the light is activated. You can relax, watch TV or listen to music during this time.

The gel is applied for three 15-minute sessions of light activation for a total treatment time of 45 minutes. Individuals with a strong gag reflex or anxiety may have difficulty undergoing the entire procedure. Immediately afterward, a sensitivity-reducing fluoride paste-gel is applied to the teeth.