When over-the-counter teeth whitening products don’t give the desired results, many people turn to their dentist for stronger options. Two teeth whitening treatments that are popular are Zoom! and laser teeth whitening.
At first glance, laser and Zoom! might seem the same. Both are professional treatments offered by dentists, and they do work with a similar concept. But there are some things that make them different.
What Zoom! and Laser Whitening Have in Common
Laser teeth whitening and Zoom! use a similar process to whiten teeth. Both procedures involve the application of a bleaching agent made with hydrogen peroxide to the teeth. A special dental instrument (Zoom! uses light rather than a laser) helps activate this gel solution. A chemical reaction called oxidation occurs, allowing the bleaching agent to penetrate the enamel of the tooth, scrubbing away stains.
A session of laser whitening typically takes just under an hour. Zoom! is about the same, but is normally done with three separate applications of gel with a 15-minute wait each time while the light does its work.
Most people get noticeable results from both whitening methods after just one visit to the dentist. Some people with more stubborn stains have to return a few times to get their teeth to the desired shade.
Another similarity is after-care and upkeep. Immediately after treatment, teeth can be more susceptible to staining than normal. It is suggested that patients avoid eating or drinking anything that could stain their teeth in the first week. This means no cup of coffee or plate of spaghetti for a while.
The dentist will also sometimes provide at-home whitening trays to maintain brightness. They are typically used for about a half-hour once a month. No matter what type of whitening used, it won’t last forever. Most patients need treatment to refresh whitening every six months or so.
How Zoom! Teeth Whitening Differs from Laser
The main way that Zoom! and laser teeth whitening differ is in the dental instrument used to activate the hydrogen peroxide solution.
Laser whitening’s name says it all. It uses a special laser tool to heat the bleaching solution. The heat helps the solution oxidize. The laser’s beam is small, so covering each tooth takes some time and skill for the dentist.
One drawback is that the excess heat can make the process uncomfortable for some patients. Teeth may inadvertently become overheated. The worst-case scenario could be nerve damage. Some people also don’t like the fact that there are some infrared emissions from the laser. Problems with laser teeth whitening are rare. Dentists follow strict protocols to protect teeth and surrounding tissue from the chemicals and the laser.
Zoom! works with a special ultraviolet light to activate the whitening gel. The light filters out most of the infrared emissions and minimizes the amount of heat exposure. Another significant difference is the shape of the instrument. The light covers an entire set of teeth, so the whitening happens all at once instead of one tooth at a time.
Teeth Whitening Results
Compared to at-home treatments like whitening strips, both Zoom! and laser teeth whitening both tend to get better results. Dentists are able to use a much stronger concentration of hydrogen peroxide than is available in over-the-counter products. Most store-bought items contain about 7-10% hydrogen peroxide, where dentists can use 25-35%.
Even though the methods used at the dentist’s office are stronger, results still vary from patient to patient. A lot depends on the cause of the tooth stains in question. Deeper stains that have penetrated the tooth enamel are harder to remove than surface stains caused by food and drink.
In general, laser and Zoom! whitening work best for yellow or brown stained teeth. Teeth may have a gray tint because of trauma or from drugs like tetracycline. Unfortunately, gray teeth might not respond to any treatment, whether store-bought or from the dentist. Sometimes the only way for whiter teeth is to get veneers.
Cautions for Zoom! and Laser Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening products are safe, especially when administered by a dentist. There are some common-sense precautions to keep in mind, though.
First, whitening should only be done on healthy teeth. Before starting any treatments like Zoom! or laser teeth whitening, the dentist should require a full exam. Any cavities or other issues should be fixed first.
Dentists take precautions to protect the teeth and gums during teeth whitening. Because of the laser and ultraviolet light, patients are given eye protection to wear during the procedure. A barrier is also placed on the gums to keep the chemicals from burning them. Some people may still have a tingling sensation in their teeth or even a feeling like electric shocks towards the end of Zoom! or laser treatments. This typically wears off very quickly once it’s done. But if a patient has extreme tooth or gum sensitivity, the chemicals or heat from teeth whitening procedures can make it worse.
Children under the age of 13 should not have their teeth whitened. It is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women either.
Zoom! and Laser Costs
The price of teeth whitening varies greatly from dentist to dentist and depends on the region. On average, the cost of Zoom! teeth whitening is about $500. Laser teeth whitening costs a bit more, sometimes as much as $1000. This is often because the size of the laser’s beam makes the process takes more time and care by the dentist.
Because prices can be so different across the country, it is best to consult with your dentist to find out your cost. If you need to find a dentist, our online database will locate someone who offers teeth whitening in your area.
Zoom! vs. Laser Teeth Whitening—Who Wins?
It is difficult to pick a clear winner when comparing Zoom! vs. laser teeth whitening. Both are similar, take about the same amount of time, and give comparable results. Instead, it usually comes down to a patient’s personal preference. In fact, it may be more important to choose a dentist rather than a treatment.
Dentists who offer teeth whitening typically offer the method that they feel gives their patients the best results. They become skilled at using their preferred products. When you have a dentist whom you trust, it makes sense to listen to their advice when it comes to what teeth whitening treatment they’d suggest for you.
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Now, let's discuss the concepts mentioned in the article about Zoom! and laser teeth whitening.
Zoom! and Laser Teeth Whitening: Similarities and Differences
Zoom! and laser teeth whitening are both professional treatments offered by dentists to achieve whiter teeth. They share some similarities in their process and outcomes.
Both treatments involve the application of a bleaching agent made with hydrogen peroxide to the teeth. This bleaching agent helps remove stains by penetrating the enamel of the tooth through a chemical reaction called oxidation. In both treatments, a dental instrument is used to activate the gel solution. However, Zoom! uses light, while laser teeth whitening uses a special laser tool to heat the bleaching solution.
Both treatments typically take about the same amount of time, with a session lasting just under an hour. However, Zoom! may involve three separate applications of gel with a 15-minute wait between each application, while laser teeth whitening covers each tooth individually.
Aftercare and upkeep are also similar for both treatments. Immediately after the treatment, teeth can be more susceptible to staining than normal. Patients are advised to avoid consuming foods and drinks that could stain their teeth for the first week. Dentists may also provide at-home whitening trays for maintenance, typically used once a month for about half an hour. It's important to note that the effects of teeth whitening treatments are not permanent, and most patients require treatment every six months or so to refresh the whitening.
Differences Between Zoom! and Laser Teeth Whitening
The main difference between Zoom! and laser teeth whitening lies in the dental instrument used to activate the hydrogen peroxide solution.
Laser teeth whitening uses a special laser tool to heat the bleaching solution, which helps with the oxidation process. However, the excess heat generated by the laser can make the process uncomfortable for some patients, and there is a small risk of overheating the teeth or causing nerve damage. Dentists follow strict protocols to protect the teeth and surrounding tissue from the chemicals and the laser.
On the other hand, Zoom! uses a special ultraviolet light to activate the whitening gel. This light filters out most of the infrared emissions and minimizes heat exposure. Additionally, the shape of the instrument allows the light to cover an entire set of teeth, enabling the whitening to occur all at once instead of one tooth at a time.
Teeth Whitening Results and Considerations
Both Zoom! and laser teeth whitening tend to provide better results compared to at-home treatments like whitening strips. Dentists can use a much stronger concentration of hydrogen peroxide (25-35%) compared to the lower concentrations (7-10%) found in over-the-counter products. However, the results of teeth whitening treatments can vary from patient to patient, depending on the cause and severity of the tooth stains. Deeper stains that have penetrated the tooth enamel may be harder to remove than surface stains caused by food and drink.
It's important to note that teeth with a gray tint, caused by factors like trauma or certain medications, may not respond well to any treatment, whether store-bought or from the dentist. In such cases, alternative options like veneers may be necessary for achieving whiter teeth.
Cautions and Costs
Teeth whitening treatments administered by dentists are generally safe when proper precautions are taken. Before starting any whitening treatment, a full dental exam is usually required to ensure the teeth are healthy. Dentists take precautions to protect the teeth and gums during the procedure, such as providing eye protection and placing a barrier on the gums to prevent chemical burns. However, some patients may experience temporary sensitivity or tingling sensations in their teeth during or after the treatment. Extreme tooth or gum sensitivity may be exacerbated by the chemicals or heat used in teeth whitening procedures.
The cost of teeth whitening can vary depending on the dentist and the region. On average, Zoom! teeth whitening costs around $500, while laser teeth whitening can cost up to $1000. The price difference is often due to the additional time and care required for laser teeth whitening, as the laser's beam covers each tooth individually.
In conclusion, both Zoom! and laser teeth whitening are professional treatments offered by dentists to achieve whiter teeth. They share similarities in their process and outcomes, but differ in the dental instrument used to activate the whitening gel. The results of teeth whitening treatments can vary, and it's important to consult with a dentist to determine the most suitable treatment based on individual needs and preferences.
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