You may have noticed your teeth could be a brighter white. There are many products available to whiten your teeth, which is considered a cosmetic procedure. One product on the market is called Zoom, manufactured by Philips.
Your dentist can recommend one of several Zoom treatments to whiten your teeth — from procedures at the dental office to at-home solutions. Your dentist will oversee your Zoom treatment, giving you additional reassurance that your whitening treatment is safe and effective.
In this article, we’ll go over how Zoom teeth whitening works, how long it lasts, and what it costs.
There are a few types of Zoom whitening treatments. Some you get at your dentist’s office and others you do at home, after consulting with a dentist.
These procedures all involve a whitening substance containing hydrogen peroxide. The quickest and most effective treatment also includes the application of LED light during the procedure to brighten your teeth.
The Zoom WhiteSpeed treatment can make your teeth noticeably brighter after a 45-minute process at your dentist’s office. It involves both a whitening gel and an LED lamp.
The Zoom QuickPro treatment only takes 10 minutes at the dentist’s office. It relies on just a whitening substance that sits on your teeth for 30 minutes.
Two at-home options utilize trays filled with whitening gel that can whiten your teeth in 2 weeks.
You’ll want to make sure your teeth are clean for the procedures, so be mindful of the food and drinks you consume prior. Your dentist may also recommend limiting your food and drink intake immediately following the procedure.
Philips Zoom WhiteSpeed
This is the most effective Zoom treatment that leaves your teeth much brighter in less than an hour. It requires the application of a whitening gel and the use of a special LED lamp over a 45-minute period. It can whiten your teeth by several shades.
Your dentist may recommend a professional cleaning prior to the whitening procedure. Then, your dentist will:
- put a whitening gel on your teeth
- turn on the Zoom WhiteSpeed LED light and point it at your teeth
- repeat this process two more times
- apply an enamel-protecting gel
After the procedure, your dentist will provide at-home whitening treatments and any instructions for caring for your teeth after the procedure. These supplies and materials are included in the cost of the Zoom WhiteSpeed treatment.
Philips Zoom QuickPro
This procedure takes a half an hour, and your dentist can apply the treatment in just 10 minutes. It doesn’t whiten your teeth as much as the Zoom WhiteSpeed option, but it requires less in-office time and is lower in cost.
For the Zoom QuickPro treatment, your dentist will:
- apply a whitening substance to your teeth after your regular cleaning
- add a sealant on top of the whitening substance to protect your teeth
- provide you with instructions for aftercare
You can then leave your dentist’s office after the application. You’ll need to brush off the applied whitening substances after half an hour.
There are two types of at-home Zoom treatments. Your dentist will recommend the best option for your needs and send you home with the supplies for your treatment.
Your dentist may also recommend one of these whitening methods following a Zoom WhiteSpeed treatment to brighten your teeth even more.
Philips Zoom DayWhite and Philips Zoom NiteWhite
Zoom at-home whitening options will include custom trays to fit over your teeth. For Zoom DayWhite, you wear the trays during the day for a half an hour to an hour and a half once or twice a day. Zoom NiteWhite treatments occur at night, and you wear the trays overnight.
Both at-home treatments occur over a 2-week period of time.
Your at-home procedure will involve:
- brushing your teeth
- adding a small amount of the whitening gel to the trays provided by your dentist
- putting the trays over your teeth
- wearing the trays for the prescribed length of time
- removing the trays and rinsing them with cold water
- brushing your teeth again
Your dentist may also provide another gel to use after the whitening procedure to protect your tooth enamel.
Zoom whitening can last several months or even more than a year. One study found that Zoom WhiteSpeed treatment followed by Zoom DayWhite treatment lasted for 12 to 15 months.
Zoom whitening products shouldn’t hurt during the procedure. You may have to get used to the feel of the trays in your mouth during at-home treatment, but they shouldn’t be painful to wear.
Your teeth may be more sensitive following tooth whitening, but this isn’t commonly reported with Zoom treatments. One study found that only 1.8 percent of participants had tooth sensitivity following Zoom treatments.
Another study found that only 2 out of 9 participants reported sensitivity following treatment.
Your dentist will provide you with specific instructions following your procedure. Zoom QuickPro requires you to brush off the varnish applied to your teeth after 30 minutes. You should brush your teeth after at-home treatments.
Your dentist will likely recommend you avoid foods and beverages that could stain your teeth, as these could impact how long your teeth stay white. Beverages like coffee, tea, and soda can stain your teeth. Tobacco products also stain your teeth.
The Zoom WhiteSpeed costs around $500. This includes the 45-minute treatment at the dentist’s office along with further at-home treatment. Zoom QuickPro costs around $125 to $150 depending on your dental office.
At-home treatments will cost less than WhiteSpeed and QuickPro options. These treatments require the consultation of your dentist, who’ll give you a price based on your treatment plan.
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure, and most insurance plans don’t cover the costs. Therefore, you’ll pay for it out of pocket.
You may notice your teeth have become more discolored with age, the consumption of certain foods and beverages, or from a medication you take. If you want a brighter smile, talk with your dentist about Zoom whitening treatments.
Your dentist will make sure your teeth are in good condition prior to giving you any whitening treatment. They’ll also ask you about your health history and any allergies you may have. Your dentist will also discuss the effects of the treatment with artificial or repaired teeth.
Adults are better candidates for teeth whitening than children. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry doesn’t recommend cosmetic teeth whitening for children and adolescents.
Zoom teeth whitening procedures may be a good way to brighten your smile. Your dentist will oversee your treatment, making sure you get the results you expect in a safe way.
Some treatments brighten teeth in under an hour, while others take a few weeks to see results. Talk with your dentist about options for whitening your teeth.
