ZOOM teeth whitening

ZOOM whitening, made popular thanks to the show Extreme Makeover, is a proven and safe method of whitening your teeth up to eight shades!

Once the teeth are cleaned, a liquid dam is applied to isolate the gums and soft tissues. The whitening product is then applied on your teeth during four cycles of 15 minutes and an LED lamp is placed to activate the product.

What’s the difference between whitening in a dentist’s chair and whitening in a beauty salon? Why the difference in cost?

Although aesthetic in nature, teeth whitening is a procedure that requires technique and supervision. The higher the concentration of the whitening product, the faster the result. In dental offices, we use 35% hydrogen peroxide to obtain optimal results. At this concentration, it’s crucial your gums and soft tissues are isolated properly as contact of the product with your mucus membranes will lead to an immediate chemical burn.

What’s the difference between in-chair whitening and at-home whitening?

At-home whitening involves getting custom-made mouthpieces to apply the whitening product. Once the mouthpieces have been tested out, we will provide you with 9.5% hydrogen peroxide, which you will have to apply inside your mouthpieces 30 to 45 minutes a day over the course of two weeks.

Do whitening products sold at the drugstore work?

Whitening products, such as Crest Whitestrips, generally use 10% carbamide peroxide, which is the equivalent of 3.4% hydrogen peroxide (so 10 times less concentrated than what’s used in the chair). Results can be seen in the long-term, however you can imagine the time necessary to obtain the same results as whitening in the chair.
Whitening toothpastes can be good for removing extrinsic stains (on the outer surface of the tooth), however they will not work on the internal coloration of the tooth.

What are the contraindications of teeth whitening?

Although safe and efficient for improving the appearance of your teeth, some cases exist where whitening will not produce the desired effects. These include:

  • Devitalized teeth: these will not respond to whitening.
  • Heavily restored teeth: The teeth will whiten but the fillings will stay the same color.
  • Teeth highly sensitive to heat and the cold.
  • Teeth with exposed root surface.
  • Smokers: we recommend you stop the use of tobacco during at-home whitening treatments.

How long do results last?

On average, results last 3 to 5 years. Following your whitening appointment, we will provide you with mouthpieces fit to your mouth. To prolong results, we recommend coming in for a touch-up 3 to 5 days per year.

Before proceeding with a whitening treatment, you will need to undergo an examination.