Zoom® and BriteSmile® are bleaching methods touted by many. They use the common types of bleaching agents but Zoom® and BriteSmile® both use high intensity lights to “activate” the bleach. It looks impressive as you sit there for an hour or more in front of these lights knowing your teeth are getting whiter by the second.

While these methods do work, there is much in today’s literature to indicate that the lights do little to nothing. So why even use them?

There are, I believe, a couple of reasons that these lights are used. First, they give the impression to the patient of a high tech approach to tooth bleaching. They use terms like “laser whitening” or similar. In short, they are a sales tool or gimmicks.

Second, they allow the manufacturer of the bleaching process a second income stream. You have to not only buy and stock the bleaching materials, but purchase and use the lights which are also charged on a per use basis. This means more money to the manufacturer, or more specifically, to the marketer of the bleaching products.

I speak from experience. We have provided Zoom® bleaching services in our office. As I said, while they work, I truly don’t see the light as being anything but a discomfort to the patient, and, given current information, functionally a useless part of the process.

So what types of bleaching do we recommend? Suffice it to say that virtually all bleaching methods today do work to some extent, it depends largely on you and what your goals are.

A person who has a fairly light shade of teeth and simply wants to make them a bit brighter might be fine with some of the whitening strips available either over the counter or from a dental office. We use the professional version of Crest White Strips. For many, this is adequate.

Those who seek a greater degree of whitening might be better served by the more traditional at home bleaching programs using bleaching trays. These trays, which are custom made to fit your teeth, are worn with bleach for so many hours a day or at night to achieve the desired result.

Finally, for those who have serious color issues or are looking for upping white teeth, there is Deep Bleaching®. Developed by a dentist in California, Deep Bleaching® provides a combination of in office and at home treatment that can whiten even some of the toughest cases.

Zoom® is a registered trademark of Discus Dental. BriteSmile® is a registered trademark of Britesmile Inc..

Teeth whitening

Teeth whitening
Say goodbye to stained teeth and welcome back your pearly whites through professional teeth whitening! Walk into a room with confidence and charisma. Learn more about our at-home and in-office teeth whitening services available for you!

At a young age our teeth are healthy white. But overtime the enamel coating the tooth is so slowly worn down. Causing our teeth to become stained and yellow, which is why teeth whitening is become increasingly popular today. There are a few methods for whitening. They include at home and in office. With in office treatments, you will see faster results, receive the safest treatment for bleaching the teeth, and yield the whitest smile. So, don’t settle for teeth that have become stained from years of coffee drinking, tobacco use, or just aging. Ask your dentist about whitening options that may be right you.