January 25, 2019 by

Will Zoom whiten your teeth and porcelain veneers?

I’m wondering if Zoom will whiten both my teeth and my porcelain veneers. I’ve had the veneers since 2010 and they don’t look as bright as they used to. Also, my teeth need to be whitened. Will Zoom whiten both, or will I need a different treatment to whiten my veneers? Thanks. Tyler

Tyler,

Zoom whitening won’t be effective on both your teeth and your porcelain veneers. The facts below will help you understand why.

How Teeth Whitening Works

Photo of bleaching gel being applied to teeth for Zoom whitening, from Chatham, NJ cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

Zoom whitening session

The stains inside your teeth are called intrinsic stains. Carbamide oxide is an active whitening ingredient. When it’s applied to teeth, it penetrates tooth enamel and releases oxygen molecules. The oxygen molecules spread throughout each tooth and break down the discolored molecules inside them.

Zoom whitening provides a powerful blast of bleaching gel that contains carbamide oxide. The in-office treatment is completed in three to four 15-minute sessions. In-office treatment is a jumpstart to getting your teeth their whitest, but it doesn’t stop there. You’ll receive a Zoom take-home kit with custom trays and bleaching gels to continue whitening at home and make your teeth even brighter.

What about Zoom and Porcelain Veneers?

Although carbamide peroxide penetrates tooth enamel and breaks down stains, it won’t remove stains from your porcelain veneers. It can do them more harm than good:

A 2006 study published in the journal Clinical Oral Investigations revealed that applying carbamide peroxide to porcelain roughens the surface of the material.
Likewise, a 2015 study in the Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice concluded that “roughening of porcelain and polished fiber reinforced composite occur following bleaching procedure.”

These studies show that bleaching your porcelain veneers can damage the surface, make them more susceptible to stains, and even weaken them.

What Can Be Done about the Stains?

Zoom whitening is not the answer for both your teeth and your veneers. Visit an experienced—preferably accredited—cosmetic dentist to examine your teeth and porcelain veneers. It is possible that the cosmetic dentist can polish the veneers and make them look better. Depending on the cause of the stains in your teeth, an alternative to whitening might be recommended.

Although a very small percentage of cosmetic dentists are accredited, look for one in your area. If you’re unable to find a dentist with accreditation, search the Internet for a cosmetic dentist with post-graduate training in cosmetic or aesthetic dentistry. The dentist will determine the cause of stains in your teeth and veneers and discuss your options.

This post is sponsored by Chatham, NJ cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley. Dr. Hurley is accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and has won the NJ Monthly magazine Top Dentist award since 2001.

November 29, 2018 by

5 Things to Know Before You Choose Zoom Whitening

Teeth whitening is one of the easiest ways to rejuvenate your smile. And Zoom!® whitening makes it fast and easy because it’s completed in the office. But what should you know about Zoom before you commit to the treatment?

1. The Condition of Your Teeth

Professional-strength bleaching gel is potent. Your teeth need to be cavity free and your gums need to be healthy. Otherwise, the bleaching gel can cause discomfort and irritation and whitening treatment will need to be discontinued. Expect an examination of your teeth to ensure they are ready for treatment. Some dentists require that you’ve had a recent dental cleaning before receiving Zoom.

2. What to Expect

Zoom whitening session

Zoom Whitening is completed in three 15-20 minute sessions while you sit in the dental chair. Your smile will be brilliant when treatment is complete. Depending on how white you want your teeth, another in-office session will be needed. If you have dental anxiety, a form of sedation dentistry might be offered by the dentist to help you relax.

3. You’ll Have Homework

In-office whitening is a jump start to a brighter smile. But it doesn’t end there. For two weeks, you will continue treatment at home. You’ll receive custom bleaching trays, gel, and instructions for whitening. And with time, coffee, tea, berries, and other foods and drinks can stain your teeth. At-home touch-ups are needed to keep your smile bright.

4. Don’t Overdo It

It is possible to over-bleach your teeth. Although it’s great to have a super-white smile, closely follow the instructions from your dentist for the length of time and frequency you can do at-home touch-ups. If you whiten your teeth too often, the enamel can become weak, and your teeth can become discolored and lose their sparkle.

5. Thinking about Cosmetic Work?

If teeth whitening is just one improvement you want to make to your smile, your dental treatment needs to be planned. Whitening should be completed before cosmetic work, including dental crowns, porcelain veneers, or chairside dental bonding. If you reverse the order, your teeth will be whiter than the cosmetic changes—and teeth whitening won’t make crowns, veneers, or any other cosmetic work any brighter.

If you’re interested in Zoom whitening, schedule a consultation with a cosmetic dentist. He or she can determine if this treatment is the correct solution for removing the stains from your teeth.

This post is sponsored by Chatham, NJ cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley. Dr. Hurley has repeatedly been recognized by NJ Monthly magazine as a New JerseyTop Dentist.

August 30, 2018 by

I bought a Groupon for Zoom whitening for only $99. It was from a new dentist in the area, so I figured it was a great way to get my teeth whitened because I can’t afford it otherwise. Everyone at the office was so nice and the treatment went fine while I was there. After I got home, that night, I had a lot of sensitivity in my teeth that I was not expecting. The dentist didn’t tell me to expect that. Besides all that, I have dental bonding on my teeth.

It’s been 3 weeks since I got Zoom, but now by bonding looks yellow. No one asked me about previous dental work or told me to expect that either. Needless to say, this is not going to be my regular dentist. I thought I was doing something smart with the Groupon and saving money. Now it looks like I’m going to need to have the bonding replaced. I’m embarrassed to tell my dentist what happened. Is there another way around this? Thanks, Kelsey

Kelsey – Zoom® whitening for $99 is a bargain—but only if the dentist follows the correct protocol for Zoom to ensure you understand the results you can expect.

Zoom Whitening and Dental Bonding

Close-up photo of Zoom whitening gel being applied to a patient's teeth; for information on dental bonding and teeth whitening from Chatham, NJ accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

Zoom whitening will not brighten dental bonding

Dental bonding can pick up stains over time, but teeth bleaching gel won’t whiten it. Composite bonding will look dull against your newly whitened teeth. If there are stains on dental bonding, sometimes a cosmetic dentist can polish them away, or the bonding will need to be replaced.

Unfortunately, your dentist will need to remove the existing bonding and apply new bonding. He or she will be able to select a shade that matches your newly whitened smile. The good news is that with the combination of Zoom whitening and new composite bonding, it will look like you had a smile makeover.

Is your current dentist the one who originally placed the bonding? If not, ensure your dentist has the proper tools and variety of bonding colors to match your new smile. If you learn that your dentist is not experienced in bonding techniques, you should consider scheduling a consultation with an accredited cosmetic dentist. You will get beautiful results that last.

This post is sponsored by Dr. Allyson Hurley, an accredited cosmetic dentist and Zoom whitening provider in Chatham, NJ.

June 12, 2018 by

In April bought a sonic toothbrush to help whiten my teeth instead of going with Zoom whitening from a dentist. It’s a high-end toothbrush that I paid more than $200. The investment was worth it to me, because I thought I would ultimately save on the cost of getting Zoom and having to do follow-up appointments. I have used the sonic toothbrush with whitening toothpaste for about 3 months now, but I am not noticing any difference at all. I know that my teeth feel cleaner, but they are still pretty yellow. What toothpaste do you recommend to get my teeth whiter? Thanks Carl P.

Carl – Although a sonic toothbrush might get your teeth cleaner than a manual toothbrush, it won’t get them any whiter. Consider a few facts about why whitening your teeth Zoom produces better results.

Better Results with Zoom Whitening

Whitening toothpastes may remove surface stains, but they won’t get your teeth any whiter. It doesn’t stay on your teeth long enough to penetrate them and break down stains.
If you want whiter teeth that will last, it’s best to receive teeth whitening from your dentist.
You can find a dentist who offers in-office treatment with Zoom to give you a brighter smile within an hour.
You will receive a take-home whitening kit to continue the whitening process, and to use for touch-ups to keep your smile its brightest.

Take-Home Whitening – An Alternative

Take-home whitening is less expensive than in-office treatment. Impressions of your teeth will be taken to make custom trays. You will put whitening gel in the trays, and wear the trays each day for the amount of time your dentist specifies. Within two weeks, you will have a bright smile. You can do touch-ups once or twice a year to keep your brilliant smile.

There are certain types of stains that whitening gel will only make more noticeable. Your dentist will examine your teeth to determine if teeth whitening is right for you and which treatment will work best.

This post is sponsored by Chatham, NJ top dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

April 7, 2018 by

I see Zoom gel and accessories on eBay. There is even a Zoom whitening light for sale from someone who says they bought items from a dental practice foreclosure auction. If I got my calculations are right, I can do the whitening for myself and my friends a lot cheaper than at the dentist. I want to send a note to the seller first and ask about the whitening gel and light. Is there something specific I can ask from the product box so I know the gel is legitimate and not expired? Also on the light, I am wondering if there are certain parts or accessories that need to be included for it to work correctly so I won’t have to spend more money to make a complete kit. Thanks. William

Photo of Zoom whitening gel being applied to teeth, for information on buying Zoom online from Chatham NJ dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

Zoom whitening has specific protocol and should not be bought online

William – Zoom whitening with the accelerating light is only properly administered by a dentist. You should not attempt to do the treatment on your own. You can damage your teeth and your friends’ teeth. Zoom in-office whitening has a specific protocol that, outside of a dental practice, cannot be properly followed.

An Alternative to Zoom In-Office Teeth Whitening

Dentists offer Zoom take-home whitening, which is for at-home use but should only be completed with a dentist’s supervision. Consider the following facts:

Not everyone is a candidate for teeth whitening.
Depending on the cause of the stains, bleaching your teeth can make them look worse.
If you have dental restorations (e.g., crowns, veneers) they won’t whiten at all.
People who have sensitive teeth can have significant sensitivity to the bleaching gel. A dentist’s supervision will help limit the sensitivity.

If you are interested in Zoom whitening, speak with a cosmetic dentist to find out how it can be made affordable for you.

This post is sponsored by Chatham, NJ cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

February 14, 2018 by

My dentist told me I have to wait until next year for another Zoom whitening session. She said that I’ve whitened my teeth too much and I need to take a break. I do admit that I am somewhat OCD about whitening and I want to keep going to see how white my teeth can get. My dentist thinks I’m going to ruin my teeth if I keep going. I use the at-home kit every 2 weeks, but I just want her to give me another boost with treatment in the office. Should I switch to another dentist? Thank you. Yasmina

Yasmina,

Excessive teeth whitening can cause your teeth to become translucent or very sensitive. If your dentist is refusing to complete another Zoom in-office treatment, there are probably good reasons for it. No doubt, your dentist examined your teeth before making the recommendation. There might be signs of the enamel wearing away.

Zoom whitening session

It’s a good idea to give your teeth a break. If you whiten them too much, they can become discolored, thin, brittle, and increasingly sensitive to heat and hold.

If you want more Zoom whitening sessions because it seems your teeth are staining quickly, try to limit things that promote stains, including:

Coffee
Cola
Smoking
Wine

After using any of the above products, rinse your teeth with water immediately afterward. It will dilute the substances and limit the amount of stain in your teeth.

Speak with your dentist again and ask her why she is limiting your Zoom whitening sessions. Listen closely to understand her viewpoint and why she thinks your teeth need to be protected from over-bleaching. If you continue to whiten your teeth regardless of the recommendation, the results can be damaging and do more harm than good.

You can also schedule an appointment for a second opinion on Zoom whitening from an experienced cosmetic dentist.

This post is sponsored by NJ accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

November 6, 2017 by

Will Zoom whitening help the dental bonding I’ve had about 16 years? The bonded teeth are showing their age now, so they look dull and stained. I am wondering if I can save some money by getting teeth whitening treatment for the bonding, instead of having the bonding replaced. Will Zoom help? Thanks Jena

Jena – Zoom will make your teeth super bright, but it won’t help the bonding. Any type of Teeth whitening will only affect your natural teeth, but not the dental bonding.

If You Try to Use Zoom to Whiten Your Bonding

Your super-white teeth will make the aging bonding even more noticeable. If the stains on the bonding are external, an expert cosmetic dentist might be able to polish the bonding and remove the discoloration. Otherwise, the bonding needs to be replaced.

If you’re on a budget, don’t shop around for the cheapest price for polishing or replacing your bonding. It’s best to wait until you can afford an artistic cosmetic dentist to do the work, so that your smile can be beautifully restored. The person who polishes and cleans your teeth must be trained in how to care for bonding—even if you receive new bonding. If the wrong techniques or tools are used, your bonding can crack and stain.

We suggest that you schedule consultations with at least two cosmetic dentists to discuss your options.

This post is sponsored by Chatham, NJ dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

August 6, 2017 by

I’m wondering if Zoom can help my teeth. For the past year I’ve been smoking medical marijuana and it’s really staining my teeth with a greenish yellow color. I know that I will have to keep using the marijuana indefinitely, but I still need to do something about my teeth. I’ve tried whitening toothpaste but it doesn’t do anything. I’ve been looking at different brands of whitening. I prefer having it done in the office so I don’t have to do anything at home. I looked on the Zoom website, but I don’t see anything specific about it treating marijuana stains. Will it work or are stains just something I have to deal with? – Kendall

Kendall – Marijuana stains are usually easy to remove from your teeth. When possible, it’s best to brush your teeth after smoking. Brushing can remove the stains before they settle into your teeth. Stains that stick to your teeth can be removed by your dental hygienist.

Some Things to Consider Before You Get Zoom

Before your teeth are whitened with Zoom® or any other type of treatment, there are some things to consider first.

You need to have your teeth professionally cleaned first. If your teeth aren’t clean, the bleaching gel can’t evenly coat and penetrate them. The results will be blotchy. This is good reason not to try take-home treatment without a recent dental cleaning.
Stains that penetrate below the surface of your teeth may respond to Zoom whitening or another brand of treatment from your dentist. It’s unlikely that you will see a major brand of teeth whitening advertise that it works for marijuana stains.
Marijuana and tobacco smokers have higher rates of tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease. Smoking affects your gum health. You need healthy gums before your teeth are whitened. Otherwise the bleaching gel will irritate your gums.
Even with in-office whitening treatments, you might have to continue with a brief period of take-home whitening.
You still need to be periodic touch-ups at home to keep your teeth white.

We recommend that you first have a dental exam and cleaning. If your hygienist is unable to remove the stains from your teeth, and if your teeth and gums are healthy, you can ask your dentist about whitening your teeth.

If Zoom whitening isn’t the best option for your stains, your dentist will let you know which brands he or she recommends.

This post is sponsored by Chatham, NJ dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

June 8, 2017 by

I’m wondering if Zoom will help me. I smoke marijuana for medical purposes but I don’t want it showing up on my teeth. I’ve never smoked a cigarette in my life so I didn’t even think about the marijuana to change my tooth color. I need to get my teeth cleaned up fast. I’m in a traveling choir for the Northeast chapter of my church and I don’t want to distract people with my teeth and become known as the weed-smoking choir member. We have a pretty heavy schedule for the summer and I’m looking for a quick way to get my teeth white and keep them white. I read that Zoom will help tobacco stains, but what about marijuana? – LM

LM – Before requesting Zoom from a dentist, we recommend that you schedule an appointment for a dental exam and cleaning. Marijuana increases your risk of calculus buildup, gum disease, and tooth decay. So your dentist will be concerned about how it has affected your oral health.

Your dentist will ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy enough for Zoom whitening. If you are a candidate for it, your teeth will need to be cleaned first. Cleaning removes surface stains and improves the effectiveness of teeth bleaching.

We recommend that you regularly get into the habit of rinsing your mouth and brushing your teeth after you smoke. This can help you limit the stains, or avoid them altogether. Flossing daily is critical to maintaining healthy gums. Your diligent oral hygiene, along with regular cleaning appointments will help control the stains. Most of the stains will probably be removed with dental cleaning and polishing your teeth.

Deeply embedded stains can be improved or removed with Zoom whitening. Your dentist will let you know the results you can expect. There is limited research on the effects of teeth whitening for marijuana stains, but bleaching is an effective way to remove stubborn stains.

This post is sponsored by Chatham, NJ cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

February 23, 2017 by

Zoom whitening makes my crowns look dark even though I got my teeth whitened before I got crowns. My dentist suggested that I whiten my teeth first so that crowns could be made to match them but my crowns are darker than my teeth anyway. This is not what I had in mind and the crowns are on the right front of my mouth so it is noticeable. Why would this happen if we properly planned? My dentist acts like she doesn’t know what to do about it now. I haven’t even started at home touch-ups yet. I feel like I wasted my money on Zoom because I probably won’t use it any more if it’s going to make my teeth whiter and whiter. Is this something my dentist is responsible for? Milisha

Milisha – Your dentist was correct in telling you that you should get Zoom whitening before your dental crowns were made. There are two possible reasons that your crowns are darker than your natural teeth.

Your whitening sessions were not completed before your crowns were made. Zoom whitening sessions should be completed before preparing for crowns. This means that your teeth should be as white as you want them before crowns are requested from the dental lab. If any whitening sessions are done after the crowns are requested from the lab, your crowns will be too dark.
The color of your teeth had not stabilized before the crowns were made. After your whitening sessions are complete, the color of your teeth needs to stabilize. This takes about two weeks. The color of your crowns shouldn’t be determined before then.
Your dentist didn’t request the correct shade from the dental laboratory. It is possible that your dentist didn’t request the correct shade for your crowns. The ceramist at the dental laboratory makes your crown based on instructions from your dentist. It is also possible that a mistake on color was made at the lab.

Your dental records and the instructions that were sent to the lab can help determine where the mistake was made. But that’s not something you would be able to identify on your own. We suggest that you speak with your dentist and ask what went wrong. You should also ask for new crowns that match your natural teeth.

If you don’t get a positive response from your dentist, you can have your dental records transferred to an experienced cosmetic dentist for an evaluation and second opinion.

This post is sponsored by Bedminster, NJ dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.