Zoom Tooth Whitening
Colorado Springs
If you've been wishing your smile was whiter and brighter, maybe now's the time to take some action about it. Tooth whitening can lighten most of the stains caused by tobacco, tea, coffee, and aging.
There are 3 ways tooth whitening can be done:
- Professional whitening
- At-home whitening
- Supervised at-home whitening (done with your dentist’s help)
How does it work?
When the teeth are effectively in contact with the bleaching gel, they become more white. The longer the teeth and the gel are in contact, the whiter the teeth become.
There can be some temporary side-effects, such as:
- Sore gums
- Heat-sensitive teeth
Your dentist can minimize these and treat them, which is a good reason to have your dentist do this whitening procedure for you.
Professional tooth whitening
Professional, or in-office, bleaching is the quickest way, if you’re a candidate for it. Dr. Solich uses the Zoom ! tooth whitening system.
- A protective gel is applied to your gums (or sometimes a rubber shield is used)
- A bleaching agent is applied to your teeth
- A special light might be used to enhance the bleaching action
- Perhaps more than one visit will be needed
- Each visit lasts a half-hour to an hour
Dr. Solich is highly experienced and can examine your teeth to see if teeth whitening is an appropriate procedure for you. For some people it won’t be very effective, depending on why the teeth are discolored.
At-home tooth whitening
There are two ways of doing it yourself at home.
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At-home whitening treatments are readily available in the stores and consist of a bleaching gel and a mouth guard.
- Each product has somewhat different directions, but the basic procedure is to place some bleaching gel in the mouth guard and wear it for a specified period of time, perhaps overnight, or perhaps a couple of hours. This is done for 1 or 2 weeks, depending on the specific product.
- The bleaching agent has a weaker concentration than that used by a dentist in a professional procedure.
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Whitening toothpastes are also readily available. This method is less effective than the procedures using mouth guards, or trays, because the whitening agent in the toothpaste is not in contact with your teeth for very long. When you’ve finished brushing your teeth, it’s gradually removed by your saliva.
- Some whitening toothpastes have the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance and some don’t
- Those that do have special polishing agents designed to remove stains more effectively than regular toothpaste
Tooth whitening in partnership with your dentist
Your dentist can give you a bleaching agent and make you a custom mouth guard
- A custom mouth guard will fit your teeth well, whereas the store-bought one may not
- The whitening agent your dentist can give you will be stronger than a store-bought one, although not as strong as one used in a professional procedure
- If your teeth or gums become too sensitive or any other problems arise, you can ask your dentist to help
If you’re considering tooth whitening options in Colorado Springs, please call or e-mail us today to schedule your initial consultation.
Exceptional Smiles
5426 N. Academy Blvd, Suite 105
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
719.548.9393
Fax: (719)548-9313
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