With so many options available for teeth whitening these days, the selection process can be overwhelming. Some treatments cost more, some are safer, and some take weeks instead of minutes to show results. At my Beverly Hills cosmetic dentistry practice, I offer many whitening treatments that can help you the dazzling smile you’ve always dreamed of. Here are the pros and cons of each method:
Zoom!® Teeth Whitening
Let’s face it – when there is a big event coming up, most of us don’t have the time or self-discipline to keep up with at-home teeth whitening. One of my most popular procedures here at my Beverly Hills practice is Zoom!® teeth whitening. It has helped both celebrities and common folk alike achieve a bright smile – up to eight shades whiter – in record time. The Zoom!® system is different from other whitening products because it uses a special ultraviolet light to enhance the whitening gel. This forces the gel deeper into the tooth enamel to remove stubborn stains. The light is specially designed to cover all the teeth at once, unlike other laser treatments, which uses a narrower beam of light. The Zoom!® bleaching lights also filter out infrared emissions, which helps to minimize the amount of heat the patient’s teeth are exposed to.
Gum irritation and tooth sensitivity is minimal with Zoom!®, but if you have hypersensitive teeth or gums, a less concentrated, over-the-counter whitening product is a better option. Zoom!® works best on yellow or brown staining. Patients with grey shading from tetracycline or Fluorosis are not likely to get promising results from Zoom!® or laser whitening treatments, and should consider porcelain veneers.
The process is done in just three 15-minute sessions. Though it costs more than over-the-counter whitening trays and gels, Zoom!® teeth whitening may be worth it for you if time is not on your side.
Porcelain Veneers
If you have very deep stains that are resistant to high-concentration bleaching, porcelain veneers may be a better option for you. Porcelain veneers are thin sheets of porcelain that are bonded to the surface of the teeth. Sometimes teeth that have received this treatment – especially the naturally thin, front teeth – can become transparent with age. Transparent teeth cannot be whitened, but can be covered with porcelain veneers or replaced with dental implants. If the dentin within your tooth is a darkened or grey color from trauma, tetracycline or Fluorosis, in-office or over-the-counter bleaches will not work to whiten your teeth.
Laser teeth whitening
Laser teeth whitening uses heat to brighten the teeth in order to activate the peroxide gel that is applied. With laser teeth whitening, the light used does not typically filter out infrared emissions from the light. If not done properly, the laser can overheat the teeth during the procedure and ultimately lead to nerve damage. Patients who are light-sensitive, are undergoing photochemotherapy, or have melanoma should consider an over-the-counter whitening method instead. Laser teeth whitening takes just under an hour to complete and provides results similar to Zoom!®. With both Zoom!® and other types of laser tooth whitening, there is a risk of damage done to the skin or gums if those sensitive areas are not covered properly during the whitening process.
Bleaching Trays
Over-the-counter or custom-fit bleaching trays can give you the same results as Zoom!® or laser teeth whitening, but they require time and consistency in order to get comparable results. You must wear trays one to two hours every night for about two weeks in order to see the same eight-shade difference you would get with Zoom!® in just under an hour.
I offer many whitening treatments at my Beverly Hills practice, and can help determine which would best fit your aesthetic needs. Please call to schedule an appointment today!