Zoom!® Teeth Whitening in Traverse City

Everyone wants a lovely, sparkling white smile. If you are self-conscious because your teeth are not as white as possible, join the millions of individuals who choose Zoom!® Chairside White System for immediate teeth whitening that provides safe results. It is currently the most popular non-invasive cosmetic dentistry procedure available. It gives us self-confidence and encourages us to smile more often, connect with others, and share our positive attitude.

The ZOOM! In-Office Whitening System can whiten your teeth an average of six to eight shades in a little over an hour for most patients. If you have a special event on the horizon and want immediate results, Zoom!® may be the answer. Zoom!® gives you the most significant change in the shortest time possible. Although not as effective as a custom-made tray and at-home bleaching over time, it offers instant results you cannot get elsewhere.

Benefits of Zoom!®

Hundreds of teeth whitening systems are available, including take-home strips, bleaching toothpaste, and home whitening gels. However, Zoom!® offers some advantages you do not have with other options, including:

• Fast treatment is accelerated by the Zoom light
• You can treat both your upper and lower teeth at the same time
• There is no pain, and Zoom!® is suitable for sensitive teeth
• Your dentist supervises the process
• Higher concentration of whitening agent than in take-home whiteners

Tooth Discoloration is Common Problem

Teeth become stained over time for many reasons, including the natural aging process, damaged teeth, and certain prescription medications such as tetracycline. Tobacco use, red wine, tea, coffee, and colas also stain teeth. The result is often teeth that have a gray or yellow tinge. Zoom!® is effective for most types of tooth discoloration. The best way to know whether it will be effective for you is to schedule an appointment to be evaluated for Zoom!® teeth whitening and discuss what you can expect.

*Always talk to us before beginning a bleaching regime. Anyone pregnant or lactating should not use any teeth bleaching system. You will need a brief consultation with one of our dentists before scheduling an appointment for Zoom! Whitening.

The Zoom!® process

After cleaning your teeth thoroughly and prepping you for the procedure, we use retractors to hold your mouth open to fully expose your teeth. We cover the gums with a special coating to protect them. The whitening gel is applied to your teeth, then “activated” with the Zoom light. After fifteen minutes, the gel is washed off and you rinse your mouth. We repeat this process two more times, rinsing thoroughly between each application. After the final application is removed, we offer a mirror so you can see your whiter and brighter smile.

Plan to be in our office for two-and-a-half to three hours for your whitening session, depending on preparation time and time spent between each application of the whitening gel. You can leave immediately after your treatment with no residual side effects.

A small number of people develop mild sensitivity during Zoom! treatments. This is because the treatment temporarily dehydrates your teeth. After treatment, if your teeth are sensitive, the discomfort should pass within 24 hours. Be sure to drink plenty of water to rehydrate the teeth.

In the first few days after treatment (while the teeth are dehydrated), your teeth will soak up stains more readily. Avoid foods like red wine, coffee, tea, pasta sauces, soy sauce, ketchup, berries, soda, and fruit juices that could cause new staining. After a few days, your teeth will be rehydrated, and you can return to eating and drinking normally.

Maintaining Your Whiter Smile

Your teeth can remain lighter for years, provided you floss daily and brush at least twice a day using Fluoridex Whitening Toothpaste. We give you Zoom! Night White, a take-home gel and custom trays so you can maintain your pearly whites. Over time, your teeth may darken slightly if you drink or eat a lot of staining foods, but most people report their Zoom! whitened teeth are still lighter two years after the treatment.

Zoom!® Frequently Asked Questions

How long will the treatment last?

Your results may not be the same as someone else’s. Environmental factors make a big difference. If you drink a lot of red wine, coffee, or tea or eat a lot of foods with red sauces, your teeth will develop new stains over time, although they will not return to their former state. With attentive dental care and occasional use of take-home trays and whitening gels, you can maintain the new, whiter look of your teeth for months or years.

How does Zoom! whiten my teeth?

The active ingredient in Zoom! is a hydrogen peroxide solution. When applied to your teeth, the peroxide forms oxygen bubbles that lift out stains from the dentin and enamel. The light is a mercury metal halide lamp that activates the peroxide to speed up the whitening process while reducing the amount of heat on your teeth.

How should I prepare for my Zoom! session?

If you are worried about tooth sensitivity, take 600 mg of Advil about an hour before your procedure. Apply a desensitizing gel to your teeth before the treatment and after it is completed. You should wear comfortable, loose clothing. While it is unlikely anything will get on your clothing, we suggest wearing something you won’t mind getting stained.

Can my child get Zoom! teeth whitening?

We do not recommend teeth whitening for children younger than 13 years of age.

How often can I have a Zoom! whitening treatment?

We do not recommend having Zoom! treatments more than once a year. If you need a touch-up before a special event, please contact our office to determine whether enough time has passed for a repeat application.