703.478.9574Tooth Whitening
Reston and Arlington, VA
The Zoom!™ Chairside Teeth Whitening System is a complete tooth whitening system provided to Dr. Katz by the manufacturing company, Discus Dental, Inc.
In turn, Dr. Katz supplies you with a complete tooth whitening procedure which lasts about 90 minutes including preparation and finishing up. It’s safe, effective, and fast and you’ll leave with a dramatically brighter smile!
The whitening agent
Like many other tooth whitening products, Zoom!™ uses hydrogen peroxide as the basis. When it’s bought, it’s inert because the two components are separated. At the time of use, Dr. Katz combines them, so that the resulting gel is activated and has a 25% concentration of hydrogen peroxide, the bleaching agent.
The pH level
Acid substances are damaging to tooth enamel, so the whitening gel is close to neutral in acidity. Seven is the neutral value and the Zoom! whitening gel is between 7.5 and 8.5, which makes is slightly alkaline and therefore safe for teeth.
The light
Zoom!™ uses a bleaching light to speed up the whitening process. It’s a mercury metal halide light with an infrared filter which reduces the amount of heat on your teeth which the light would otherwise produce. It shines on all your treated teeth at the same time.
Your back-most teeth are not included in this whitening procedure, as it’s too difficult to isolate them from surrounding soft tissue. Instead, they can be whitened at home with the take-home kit Dr. Katz will give you (see below).
The procedure
Before beginning, Dr. Katz will photograph your teeth for a record of the “before” color; then later you can compare that with your new dazzling white teeth.
The gel is applied 3 times for 20 minutes each time. Dr. Katz will cover your lips and gums so the gel won’t touch them, and he’ll have you wear goggles for protection against the light. He’ll also place a bib on you for protection against any possible splashing of the gel.
The whitening gel will penetrate the tooth enamel and dissolve any stains or discoloration
The at-home continuation
Dr. Katz will give you a take-home kit. This will enable you to whiten your teeth even more, if they have the potential for that. We’re all different in how white our teeth can become, partly because of heredity, and partly because of our past dental hygiene and professional care.
It will also allow you to whiten your far back teeth, which may or may not show when you smile or laugh.
Is there any pain?
Not usually. The Zoom!™ whitening treatment is pain-free for most people. Some people have extra-sensitive teeth, so in some cases the treatment may be shortened or even terminated.
Afterwards you might feel your teeth to be extra-sensitive to cold and perhaps heat. That will only last a day or two. You can treat it with an over-the-counter “sensitive teeth” toothpaste which contains potassium nitrate.
Click here for more general information about teeth whitening.
For information on other types of tooth whitening, click here.
For your bright and confident new smile, contact Dr. Katz in Herndon and schedule your Free Smile Evaluation. Get the professional tooth whitening results you desire!
