Zoom whitening?

Question

Does anyone know the type of gel and light that is used in zoom whitening?

Answer 1

All whitening gels use a peroxide based gel that is anywhere from 6% to 25%. (The rest is fillers used to decrease sensitivity, which is the most common side effect of whitening, and make it taste nice.)

The light that is used is simply a blue light. According to the manufacturers and creators of the light, the heat generated by it supposedly increases the effect of the whitening material.

However, studies have shown no conclusive evidence that the light has any effect at all. In fact, you could get the same effects with a take-home kit from your dentist.

Most people don't want to deal with a take-home kit, because they just want to make one visit to the dentist and that's it. However, it is misleading that this is the image presented of Zoom whitening. The truth, is that even with zoom you are require to bring home a take home kit as follow up.

With Zoom it is difficult to control the level of whitening that takes place, whereas with a take-home kit you can choose when to stop and when you have reached your desired color.

With take-home whitening from your dentist, you would be schedule for a visit to take a set of impressions - one of the top teeth and one of the bottm. The dentist would fabricate custom whitening trays with these that fit your teeth specifically. (Usually they can be completed in a day or two.) Then you are scheduled back in for them to deliver the trays to you and give you the material to put in the trays.

In the office I work in we have a one hour a day system. You put a drop of the material (which comes in a two-part syringe that mixes the two parts in the tip and comes out pre-mixed for you) in each tooth depression and wear it for an hour. Once your hour is up you rinse out the tray thoroughly and brush your teeth with a damp toothbrush to get the whitening material off your teeth.

The material used at my office (NiteWhite) actually has a very low incidence of sensitivity, and it very easy to use!

Trust me -- spend only $200 on a take home kit from your dentist instead of $1000 for Zoom -- you get the same effects with less sensitivity and more control!

Answer 2

I agree with Rogue, and she answered your question perfectly. We also use Zoom in the office where I work. But I agree also, I think the take home bleaching is a better option opposed to paying more for in office treatment. I have a take home bleaching kit and it works great!