Teeth Whitening and Bleaching
Teeth whitening or bleaching teeth has become extremely popular in recent years. No longer must we accept the fact of yellowing teeth as we age. Tooth whitening has become very efficient and very economical, allowing everyone to have bright white teeth for their entire life.
At Palmyra Family & Cosmetic Dentistry we offer a choice of in-office ZOOM whitening or take home whitening trays to fit your lifestyle and budget. Read below to learn the differences and benefits of both types of bleaching.
Zoom - 1 Hour in Office Teeth Whitening
Zoom! is a revolutionary tooth whitening procedure. It's safe effective and fast, very fast. In just over an hour, your teeth will be dramatically whiter. The convenience of Zoom! in comparison to days of using strips or wearing trays makes it the perfect choice for the busy individual.
The Zoom! Whitening procedure is simple. It begins with a short preparation to isolate your lips and gums. We then apply the Zoom! Whitening Gel, which is activated by a specially designed light. Teeth typically become six to ten shades whiter. A five-minute fluoride treatment completes the procedure. You'll be amazed with the results. In most cases, teeth get even whiter the first few days after the procedure.
How does the Zoom! In-Office System work?
Zoom! light-activated whitening gel's active ingredient is Hydrogen Peroxide. As the Hydrogen Peroxide gel is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin, bleaching colored substances while the structure of the tooth is unchanged. The Zoom! light aids in activating the Hydrogen Peroxide and helps it penetrate the surface of the tooth. During the procedure, patients may comfortably watch television or listen to music.
Are there any side effects?
Some people experience temporary increased tooth sensitivity to cold during treatment. These symptoms usually disappear within 1-3 days after completion of the treatment. Tooth whitening is a well-established procedure in cosmetic dentistry. Hydrogen Peroxide, the active agent in Zoom! Has also been safely used for many years in the treatment of gums and other oral soft tissue.
The whitening process is effective on most discolored teeth but the degree of whitening will vary from patient to patient, depending on the structure of the teeth. Before scheduling the Zoom! treatment, one of our doctors sees the patient for a free consultation to see if we feel they are a good candidate for the procedure and to estimate how much lightening we expect will occur. If for any reason, you are not completely satisfied, we will credit the entire cost of the Zoom! treatment to Cosmetic Porcelain Veneers (Cosmetic porcelain coverings for the front teeth). Veneers must be completed within 1 year of the Zoom! treatment in order for the credit to be applied.
Take Home Whitening
Take home whitening may not work as fast as Zoom, but it can be very effective. Although you cannot expect to increase by 10 shades like some will with Zoom! you can get very good results with trays worn at home.
How does Take Home bleaching work?
First molds are taken of your teeth and then are used to fabricate custom bleaching trays that fit your teeth only. Then you are given the trays and take home bleaching gel that you wear at night to achieve the whitening you desire. Touch up kits are available at any time from our office.
The benefits of bleaching slower allows you to stop when you have reached the level you desire. It works very well if you have lighter crowns or bridges that you would like to match your natural teeth to.
To determine which process is best for you, contact our office for a free consultation. Give yourself the white smile you know you deserve!
