Zoom Teeth Whitening

Zoom Whitening: See the Light and Unleash Your White

Zoom is a bleaching process widely used throughout the country and around the world 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 structure of the tooth unchanged.

Zoom Tooth Whitening 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, as well as 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 also may require you to undergo tooth whitening if you are planning other cosmetic dental procedures, such as veneers or composite bonding, in order 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, tooth 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 In-Office Whitening Procedure
The complete procedure takes less than an hour, but a regular teeth cleaning is recommended prior to the actual Zoom teeth whitening session.

The procedure begins with a short preparation to cover the lips and gums, leaving the teeth exposed. The dentist or dental assistant then applies the Zoom hydrogen peroxide whitening gel, which works together 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. During this time, you can relax, watch TV or listen to music.

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 afterwards, a sensitivity-reducing fluoride paste-gel is applied to the teeth.

Zoom Whitening Aftercare: Maintaining Whitening Effects
You will be given a Zoom home-use touch-up kit that includes custom-fitted whitening trays. Follow your dentist's instructions for when and how to use this touch-up kit.

To help maintain the whitening effects of your Zoom teeth whitening treatment, your dentist may advise you to avoid certain foods and beverages, or consume them in moderation to avoid staining your teeth. This includes tea, coffee, red wine, cola, etc.

Additionally, tobacco products will stain teeth, even after whitening treatments. As such, your dentist will suggest you quit using them. Maintain an appropriate oral hygiene (brushing and flossing) regimen to prevent stains from reforming, and see your dentist and hygienist regularly for scheduled teeth cleanings.

Toothpastes containing whitening agents also may be suggested by your dentist to maintain the results of the procedure.

Zoom Whitening Considerations
Sensitivity during treatment may occur in some people. The Zoom light produces minimal heat, which is usually the source of discomfort. Rarely, minor tingling is experienced immediately after the procedure, but always dissipates. Ask your dentist for an anti-sensitivity toothpaste prior to treatment to lessen sensitivity.

As with other tooth whitening products, Zoom whitening is not recommended for children under 13 years of age, or for pregnant or lactating women. Also, it is important to remember that whitening treatment may not be as effective for some people as it is for others. Only your dentist can determine if Zoom teeth whitening is right for you after performing a thorough oral examination that includes a shade assessment.

Zoom Teeth Whitening Cost and Treatment Time
The average cost of Zoom teeth whitening treatment is $500; this includes the supplemental take-home trays designed to maximize results. Most cosmetic dentistry treatments are not covered by dental insurance. Zoom whitening costs are therefore unaffected by most insurance plans.

Zoom teeth whitening treatment time varies; however, average chair time is approximately one hour.

CEREC Melrose, MA

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers (sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve your appearance. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their color, shape, size, or length.

Dental veneers can be made from porcelain or from resin composite materials. Porcelain veneers resist stains better than resin veneers and better mimic the light reflecting properties of natural teeth. Resin veneers are thinner and require removal of less of the tooth surface before placement. You will need to discuss the best choice of veneer material for you with your dentist.

What Types of Problems Do Dental Veneers Fix?
Veneers are routinely used to fix:

-Teeth that are discolored -- either because of root canal treatment; stains from tetracycline or other drugs, excessive fluoride or other causes; or the presence of large resin fillings that have discolored the tooth
-Teeth that are worn down
-Teeth that are chipped or broken
-Teeth that are misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped (for example, have craters or bulges in them)
-Teeth with gaps between them (to close the space between these teeth)

What's the Procedure for Getting a Dental Veneer?
Getting a dental veneer usually requires three trips to the dentist – one for a consultation and two to make and apply the veneers.


What Are the Advantages of Dental Veneers?
Veneers offer the following advantages:

-They provide a natural tooth appearance.
-Gum tissue tolerates porcelain well.
-Porcelain veneers are stain resistant.
-The color of a porcelain veneer can be selected such that it makes dark teeth appear whiter.
-Veneers offer a conservative approach to changing a tooth's color and shape -- veneers generally don't require the extensive shaping prior to the procedure that crowns do, yet offer a stronger, more aesthetic alternative.

Dental Insurance "Use it or Lose it"

Today being the first day of Fall, we would like to remind our patients with dental insurance that your dental benefits do typically "expire" at the end of the year. Dental insurance is not like most other insurances in that if you do not use your yearly benefits, they do not carry over in to the next year. It's a "use it or lose it" situation.
At this time of year with holidays around the corner, appointment times can be sometimes difficult to get. Remember, the procedures usually have to be finished before the end of the year to use this years benefits. We will do everything possible to get you in and utilize the benefits that you have already paid for, but we can not, and will not , change dates in treatment records. That is outright insurance fraud.
If there are procedures that you feel may fall into this category, we recommend that you set up appointments immediately. If you are not sure, call and set up an appointment so we can review your case and do what is best for you.
Melrose Family Dentistry

George A. Surabian DMD
Gabriel Schweier DMD and Staff