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zoom whitening thousand oaks

Case Presentation: ZOOM Whitening

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Case Presentation: ZOOM Whitening

thousandoaksfamilydentistry.com

Take a look at the dramatic change we achieved in this patient using the ZOOM Whitening products. Can you believe this transformation only took a single office visit?

At a typical ZOOM appointment, we start by quickly polishing the teeth to remove any surface staining. Then, a special material is applied to the gums surrounding the teeth to protect them from the bleaching gel. The actual "bleach" is a special formulation of peroxide that is activated using the ZOOM light. The entire session takes about an hour and a half where you can relax, listen to Pandora music, watch cable TV or catch up on your favorite Netflix series! If you would like to know more about your bleaching options or to schedule a ZOOM appointment for yourself, please call or email our office.

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What type of whitening is right for me?

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What type of whitening is right for me?

In previous posts, we've discussed the many different tooth whitening products available on the market today. With all the choices, picking one that works for you can be a difficult task. In this article, we will categorize the many methods based on what they do best. Each type has unique advantages and disadvantages, so take a look!

Fastest method: In-office whitening. Products like Phillips Zoom are professionally administered and provide dramatic results in a single visit. A typical appointment is about 80 minutes and matches the results of months of over-the-counter bleaching. 

Cheapest method: Crest Whitestrips and similar products. Over-the-counter bleaching methods will whiten your teeth for the least amount of money. However, they work quite slowly. Expect to use them for weeks/months before you notice a difference. 

Most flexible method: Professional bleach trays. The trays are worn for one hour once a day for two weeks, followed by one day a month for maintenance. You will see fast results and be able to adapt to your own schedule. 

For patients susceptible to "whitening pain:" Professional bleach trays with 10% bleach. Whitening products cause pain because they contain an agent that opens tubules in the tooth to let the bleach in. In some cases the open tubules can cause sensitivity or a sharp "zinging" pain. For these patients, we prescribe a milder bleach along with a fluoride rinse that counteracts sensitivity. This combination seems to be gentle enough for even the most sensitive mouths!

For patients who "just want whiter teeth:" All of the above! Any of these methods will get you to a whiter smile. It's up to you to pick the best product for your specific needs. If you have any further questions, feel free to give us a call!

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Types of Dental Whitening

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Types of Dental Whitening

tofdwhiteteeth.jpg

Tooth whitening provides a quick and dramatic improvement to your overall smile. If you've done some research, you have probably found out that there are a number of products and services on the market today. Here is a quick guide to help you pick the best type of whitening for your specific needs!

Home whitening kits- All whitening products that work utilize some form of hydrogen peroxide. The main difference between an over-the-counter solution and something administered by a dental professional is the concentration of peroxide. Products like Crest Whitestrips will give you similar results to in-office whitening, but over a much longer time frame. Given you needs and expectations, this could be the perfect solution!

Whitening trays- These trays are made from a clear material like Invisalign retainers and are custom molded to your teeth. Since they prevent the peroxide from contacting your gums and cheeks, a higher concentration can be used. They are typically used once a day for two weeks, followed by one day a month for maintenance. 

In-office "Zoom" whitening- Here, whitening solutions are directly applied to the teeth under the supervision of a dental professional. The gums are blocked out using a special material and a very high concentration of peroxide is carefully applied to the teeth. The results are instantly noticeable and long lasting. This method achieves the same results as weeks of OTC whitening in about an hour and a half. 

"Mall Whitening" Kiosks- These stands (usually found in shopping malls) offer whitening services for rates somewhere in between home whitening kits and professional in-office whitening. However, the employees operating these stands are not dental professionals and generally cannot offer any products stronger than what you can buy over the counter. Your money is better spent either with a Whitestrip-type product or in an actual dental office. 

Whitening toothpastes, mouthwashes, floss, etc.- Just about every dental product nowadays advertises some sort of whitening ability. However, don't expect to see huge benefits. They are mostly aimed at surface staining, rather than the deep discolorations that cause yellow/ dark teeth. To get vibrant white teeth, you need to seek out a product that contains hydrogen peroxide. 

Natural whitening remedies- In general, whitening products that don't contain hydrogen peroxide (or some form of peroxide) won't really show any benefits. There are a number of instructions online, involving everything from strawberries to oil pulling, but it is unlikely that any of them will actually work. If you're looking to maintain a whiter smile naturally, cut back on pigmented liquids and drink with a straw when possible.

We hope you found our short run down on whitening useful. As always, if you have any questions, please give our office a call!

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Dental Questions: What's the difference between Zoom whitening and bleach trays?

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Dental Questions: What's the difference between Zoom whitening and bleach trays?

A whitening procedure performed at our office in addition to Invisalign invisible braces. 

A whitening procedure performed at our office in addition to Invisalign invisible braces. 

You have probably heard of two main types of bleaching systems offered at dental offices: "ZOOM" whitening and bleach trays. While they both achieve the same results, there are some differences between the two procedures that you should take note of:

ZOOM Whitening is the name brand for Phillip's in-office bleaching system. Here, the entire "whitening" procedure is performed in our exam rooms. We use a blocking material to shield your gums and apply several layers of concentrated peroxide gel to your teeth. A special light is utilized to speed up the chemical reaction by activating the gel. Overall, ZOOM takes about an hour and twenty minutes from being seated in a chair to leaving our office. In the meantime, you will be set up with Pandora music, cable TV or Netflix movies. While this is the fastest way to whiter teeth, it is also the most likely to cause temporary sensitivity issues afterwards. 

Bleach Trays are a home whitening system that is administered and monitored by a dentist. You will need an initial appointment for a consultation and impressions of your teeth. Later that day or the following day, your new bleach trays will be ready. You then perform the actual "whitening" at home using a peroxide gel (similar to ZOOM, but lower in concentration). Typically, patients are instructed to whiten for one hour once a day for 14 days, followed by once a month as needed. This type of whitening does work slower, but usually causes less sensitivity issues and can be adjusted to your personal comfort level. 

Overall, you can see the similarities and differences between ZOOM and bleach trays. Some of our patients even combine the two procedures- that is, have one ZOOM session and bleach trays made for maintenance (done in the same visit). Since both services rely on the same peroxide gel, they can be used together for additive action. If you have any further questions on bleaching, bleach trays or other cosmetic procedures, please give our office a call!

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Zoom In Office Whitening

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Zoom In Office Whitening

http://www.thousandoaksfamilydentistry.com/blog/2014/6/8/zoom-in-office-whitening#.U5U0HDm60yE

At Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry, we pride ourselves in staying at the forefront of dental technology. Every time a product is release, redesigned or improved, we take care to review its merits and how it can benefit our patients. Sometimes, products need further research and development before they are ready for our office. Others show great promise in improving results, comfort or efficiency.

    One of the most recent additions to our office is the latest Philips Zoom Whitening light and bleach system. While we have offered in-office whitening for many years, this update brings us to the forefront of bleaching speed and results. We are highly impressed with the research results and clinical data from this system and are proud to offer it to our patients.

    Almost every bleaching system works via some form of hydrogen peroxide, and Zoom whitening is no different. However, this system combines a specific concentration of peroxide with a highly specialized activation light. This light aids in the bleaching process by adding mild heat and energy to the peroxide oxidation reaction.

Our fantastic new Zoom light along with new bleach kits. 

Our fantastic new Zoom light along with new bleach kits. 

Essentially, bleaching works by allowing peroxide penetrate deep into the tooth dentin and degrade the compounds that cause staining. The Zoom lamp enhances this process by making the peroxide more viscous and speeding up the oxidation reaction rate. The end result is whiter teeth in a shorter amount of time, versus bleaching sans light.

Zoom appointments typically take about 75 minutes from checking in to leaving our office. We start by seating you and getting you set up with TV/Netflix/music. Once you are comfortable, we use a special blocking material to shield your gums from any stray bleach solution. This step is crucial, as the ultra concentrated bleach can easily discolor and irritate soft tissue. After we have your teeth isolated, we start the actual Zoom treatment. Your teeth are “painted” with the bleach formula and the light is focused at your mouth. The actual bleaching time is split into three 15 minute sessions. After your third session, we take out the gum shielding, rinse the bleach, and send you out with your brand new smile!

Many patients are concerned about the potential sensitivity associated with in office bleaching. This pain arises from microtubules within the teeth opening, which allows the peroxide to penetrate deep into the tooth. Unfortunately, these open tubules also allow sensitivity to air, cold temperature and even the bleach solution itself. Without prior whitening experience, it is difficult to predict how you will personally respond to Zoom bleaching. However, we have great methods and procedures for minimizing any discomfort you may feel.

In short, Zoom whitening provides beautiful and long lasting results in a single office visit. If you are interested in this service, or any of our other cosmetic procedures, please schedule an appointment with our office.

Additionally, feel free to take a look at the Zoom webpage FAQs for more information:

www.zoomwhitening.com/en_us/teeth_whitening_faq 


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