In-Depth Analysis: The Landscape of Teeth Whitening Options
In this article, you will learn the ins and outs of Zoom whitening. The pros and cons, the cost of materials, the chair-time, and why dental offices are switching to more affordable hybrid systems like Smile Perfected.
Zoom Whitening: Professional Teeth Whitening Introduction
Zoom teeth whitening debuted and gained popularity after being showcased on the ABC television show Extreme Makeover.
It is an advanced and widely embraced dental procedure that can offer patients a noticeable improvement in tooth color in a relatively short time.
The treatment applies a unique hydrogen peroxide-based gel onto the teeth and then activates the gel with a Zoom light.
The treatment applies a unique hydrogen peroxide-based gel onto the teeth and then activates the gel with a Zoom light.
This process effectively breaks down stains and discoloration on enamel and dentin layers.
Typically performed in a dental office, the procedure is known for its efficiency, with results often achieved within a single session lasting about an hour.
Exploring Zoom Whitening Options for a Brighter Smile
As a dental professional, understanding the Zoom whitening process can enhance your ability to educate patients on their whitening options. Now we will discuss different Philips Zoom teeth whitening options.
Zoom In-office Whitening:
Zoom WhiteSpeed, a popular choice in dental practices, includes a UV whitening light, two patient treatments, and post-care maintenance.
The in-office whitening gel is a 25% hydrogen peroxide (HP) and amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) mixture, requiring refrigeration and removal 6 hours before the appointment. Zoom post-care maintenance only offers three treatments of either 14% HP or 22% carbamide peroxide (CP).
The initial Zoom system only provides materials for 2 patients. Additional patient treatments are priced between $175 and $215 per kit. Treatment time typically ranges from 45 to 60 minutes, including cheek retraction and gum blocking. The total treatment is 75 to 90 minutes of chair time.
Zoom can whiten teeth by up to 8 shades, with dental offices commonly charging patients approximately $500 for the entire Zoom WhiteSpeed process.
Zoom Take-home Whitening:
Zoom DayWhite and NiteWhite take-home whitening kits utilize a blend of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP), potassium nitrate, and fluoride, with each syringe containing enough gel for 3 whitening treatments. Custom trays get fabricated and are purchased for the patient’s use.
DayWhite offers varying percentages of hydrogen peroxide (HP), including 6%, 9.5%, or 14%. Patients can wear this gel for 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the gel’s strength.
NiteWhite offers different carbamide peroxide (CP) percentages, ranging from 10% to 22%. Patients can wear this gel for 2 to 4 hours or overnight.
Zoom – FAQ
What patients are not good Zoom candidates?
Zoom is not recommended for pregnant or lactating women, children under 14 years old, those with heightened sensitivity to UV light, or patients undergoing photochemotherapy. Furthermore, individuals with melanoma or any form of skin cancer should avoid it.
Are there any painful side effects after Zoom whitening?
The #1 risk is sensitivity. If dental professionals diligently follow all available precautions to minimize sensitivity, the patients can avoid extensive pain. Those precautions include:
- Take 600mg of Advil one hour prior to the whitening appointment.
- Wear bleaching trays filled with desensitizing gel for one hour before whitening.
- Ensure complete isolation of gums, lips, and spaces between teeth during the whitening procedure.
- After whitening, wear bleaching trays filled with desensitizing gel for one hour.
- Take 200mg of Advil as needed within the next 24 hours post-procedure.
Is Zoom the best whitening option?
Zoom is the most popular in-office teeth whitening technique. It offers in-office results, achieving a brighter smile in under an hour, unlike the prolonged process associated with home trays.
However, its higher cost and increased risk of sensitivity for a brief period afterward are notable drawbacks. Like all other whitening methods, the effects gradually diminish, necessitating another purchase for the patient.
Patients will need to buy take-home care for periodic touch-ups and at-home maintenance with trays to maintain their whitened teeth. In fact, because patients see immediate results, the fade-back is even more dramatic.
Diversifying Whitening Choices: Why Zoom Isn’t Always First
Dental offices often struggle to incorporate whitening procedures into their packed schedules. The lengthy chair time required by Zoom can span multiple visits, resulting in financial losses.
Moreover, the need for custom take-home trays and the use of potentially harmful gels deter many offices. Practices frequently avoid offering Zoom whitening, despite whitening being the #1 requested dental procedure.
Consequently, Zoom treatments are relatively infrequent, with many practices doing less than 10 a year.
Similarly, patients face challenges fitting whitening appointments into their busy work schedules.
Even those without sensitivity issues may experience discomfort with Zoom, leading to lingering zingers post-treatment and potential refund requests.
Additionally, the high cost of Zoom, often exceeding $500, poses a financial barrier for many patients. Consequently, while patients strongly desire whitening, they may opt for alternative products better suited to their needs and budgets.
A Grin for All: Discovering the Ultimate Whitening Solution
With many offices struggling to offer a whitening solution for most of their patients, it begs the question, “Is there a whitening option out there that my team and patients would love?” And the answer is YES!
Smile Perfected has emerged as a notable contender in teeth whitening solutions, with unique benefits and efficacy. While Zoom teeth whitening garnered attention through its prominent feature on Extreme Makeover, Smile Perfected carved its niche in the dental industry by eliminating any negative aspects of whitening, benefiting the dental team and patients alike.
Smile Perfected teeth whitening was created by a dentist, Dr. William Balanoff, in 2013. This hybrid system also uses a specially formulated hydrogen peroxide-based gel and is activated with its LED light.
Mastering the Art of Teeth Whitening: Smile Perfected
Smile Perfected is a 20-minute chairside whitening system conducted within a dental office. Smile Perfected provides only two gels: one for in-office application and another for take-home use.
Smile Perfected In-office whitening:
The in-office gel is a 25% hydrogen peroxide mixture. It has potassium nitrate, which alleviates and avoids sensitivity in the teeth, menthol for cooling and numbing the gums, and spearmint flavoring.
The Smile Perfected light provides heat, accelerating the whitening process. The potassium nitrate will prohibit zingers, so the patient will not have to use any preventative measures before or after treatment and won’t experience sensitivity to hot or cold foods and beverages.
The menthol will eliminate the need for a gingival barrier as it soothes the gums during the treatment. There is also no need to make custom trays, as Smile Perfected uses a pre-loaded medical-grade silicone tray that doubles as a take-home tray for the patient.
The initial Smile Perfected system provides materials for 24 patients, with additional patient treatments priced between $39 and $49 per kit. Treatment time will take only 20 minutes. It is best combined with a hygiene visit because the teeth are clean, and the pellicle layer is gone, making the gel penetrate below the teeth’s enamel surfaces.
Smile Perfected can whiten teeth by 2-5 shades, and sometimes more, depending on individual physiology. Dental offices charge patients less than $200 for the entire Smile Perfected treatment process.
Smile Perfected Take-home whitening:
One of the great things about Smile Perfected is the included take-home pen in each kit. For around $200, patients receive both the in-office treatment and a take-home pen suitable for 3 months of whitening at home.
The take-home gel is a 22% carbamide peroxide and spearmint flavoring mixture. The in-office tray will become the patients’ take-home tray, and they will use the pen every 3-5 days for 20 minutes.
Smile Perfected is a great re-care option and can be performed every 3-6 months within a regular hygiene routine.
Smile Perfected – FAQ
What patients are not good Smile Perfected Candidates?
If they are pregnant or nursing, under the age of 14, have periodontal disease, or other intraoral soft tissue issues. Patients who just received a scaling and root plan should reschedule for a different date.
If requested, can a patient exceed the 20-minute treatment time?
Yes. However, exceeding treatment time longer than 40 minutes is not recommended.
What should patients do if they experience gum irritation or blanching?
Although rare, it should subside within 24-48 hours. Patients can use warm salt water or over-the-counter Rincinol to soothe any discomfort.
Smile Perfected: The Preferred Choice for Dental Professionals and Patients
Dental offices readily integrate Smile Perfected whitening procedures into their busy schedules, appreciating its efficiency compared to lengthier chair times required by other methods.
Smile Perfected’s streamlined process minimizes the need for multiple visits, reducing potential financial losses for practices. Additionally, the absence of custom take-home trays and the use of safe, effective gels make Smile Perfected a preferred choice for many offices.
Since whitening is the most requested dental procedure and Smile Perfected does not have the concerns associated with other methods, practices frequently use it, with many performing more than 100 treatments yearly.
Likewise, patients find it convenient to schedule Smile Perfected whitening appointments around their busy work schedules. Smile Perfected minimizes discomfort, providing a comfortable experience without post-treatment zingers.
Moreover, the affordable pricing of Smile Perfected, typically $200, ensures that cost is not a barrier for patients seeking a brighter smile. As a result, Smile Perfected empowers patients to confidently pursue their desire for whitening, knowing that it offers a solution perfectly tailored to their needs and budgets.
Choosing the Right Whitening Solution: Zoom or Smile Perfected?
In conclusion, the comparison between Zoom Whitening and Smile Perfected sheds light on the evolving teeth whitening options for dental practices.
While Zoom Whitening has long been a popular choice, offering quick and noticeable results, it has drawbacks. Those drawbacks include a lengthy chair time, potential sensitivity, and higher costs, leading to the emergence of Smile Perfected as a promising alternative.
Smile Perfected’s hybrid approach combines the efficacy of professional in-office treatments with the convenience and comfort of at-home maintenance. The hybrid approach is a more accessible and affordable solution for dental practices and patients.
With its shorter treatment time, reduced risk of sensitivity, and cost-effectiveness, Smile Perfected presents a compelling case for dental professionals seeking to provide more comprehensive whitening solutions to their patients.
Choosing Zoom Whitening or Smile Perfected depends on individual preferences, budget considerations, and dental professionals’ commitment to offering the best possible care.
As technology advances and patient expectations evolve, the dental industry will likely see further innovation in teeth whitening solutions, with hybrid systems like Smile Perfected leading the way toward a brighter, more confident smile for all.
