Zoom whitening: what happens in one hour in the chair

Why teeth lose their shine

Coffee, tea, red wine, soy sauce, berries and tobacco stain your teeth over the years. These stains sit on the outer layer of the tooth, called enamel. Cleveland Clinic calls them extrinsic, or outer, stains. They are the most common reason a smile looks dull in photos.

Other stains start inside the tooth. They can come from aging, an old injury or some medicines. These inner stains are harder to lighten. So first, we check which kind you have.

First, a check and a cleaning

Whitening works best on healthy teeth. First, your dentist checks your teeth and gums. The American Dental Association says to treat cavities or gum disease before whitening. If something needs care, we tell you plainly and plan it with you.

Then we clean and polish your teeth. This removes the film on the surface, so the whitening gel reaches your enamel evenly. This small step makes a real difference in your final shade.

Your hour in the chair, step by step

Zoom is a professional whitening done in our office. The whole visit takes about an hour. Here is how it goes:

• We clean and polish your teeth.
• We put a gel on your gums to protect them. We gently hold back your lips and cheeks.
• We paint a whitening gel on the front of your teeth. It whitens with hydrogen peroxide.
• The Zoom light turns on the gel, usually in three rounds of 15 minutes.
• We rinse, and you see your new shade in the mirror.

Comfort and sensitivity

Most people are comfortable during Zoom. You can tell us at any time if something feels wrong. The American Dental Association says the most common side effect is sensitive teeth. It is usually mild and goes away.

The gel on your gums helps prevent sensitivity and irritation. If your teeth are already sensitive, tell us first. The dentist can change the gel strength and the treatment time for you.

What whitening can change, and what it cannot

Whitening only works on natural teeth. Crowns, fillings, veneers and implants keep their color. Have a crown on a front tooth? We talk first about how it will look next to your natural teeth.

Here is a simple guide:

• Good fit for Zoom: stains from coffee, tea, wine or tobacco. Also a yellow or dull smile, or an event coming soon.
• Talk to us first: front crowns or fillings, very sensitive teeth, or gums that bleed
• Ask about veneers: deep inner stains, chips, small gaps or uneven teeth. Veneers are thin covers for the front of teeth.

Making your new shade last

Results can last for months. If you stain easily, you may need touch-ups, sometimes every six months. That is why we also offer take-home whitening. You can keep your smile bright at home, on your own time.

Simple habits help too. Rinse with water after coffee, tea or red wine. Stay away from tobacco. Keep your regular cleanings, because they remove new stains before they set in.

Call 305-271-1421 to ask about Zoom. You can also ask about financing to spread out the cost.

Common questions

This article is general information, not medical advice. Your dentist will confirm what is right for you at your exam. General information checked against: ada.org, my.clevelandclinic.org.