ZOOM WHITENING

Pros

• The entire procedure is completed in a single one-hour visit to the dentist.
• The latest version of Zoom has three different intensity settings on the light to reduce the risk of sensitivity.
• If it’s done prior to dental bonding or porcelain veneers, Zoom can improve the overall cosmetic result. Dentists recommend waiting three weeks between procedures.

Cons

• A Zoom whitening procedure can increase tooth sensitivity, especially if you already have sensitive teeth or gums. 
• Dental crowns and fillings don’t respond well to the Zoom whitening gel, so if you have them, your tooth color might end up looking spotty. “If you’re planning to have any dental work done, do the whitening beforehand,” says Dr. Ayzin.
• Zoom claims the blue-light system activates the hydrogen peroxide, but research published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice shows no added benefit from light-activated whitening systems. This doesn’t mean that Zoom whitening won’t work, just that researchers didn’t find any perks of light activation for any whitening method.
• Teeth whitening treatments like Zoom aren't recommended if you’re pregnant or nursing.
• A substantial percentage of RealSelf members say they weren’t impressed with the results: more than a third rated Zoom “Not Worth It,” saying they didn’t get the promised result or came away with too much sensitivity.

• Average Cost:
• $396

• Range:
• $250 - $597

The average cost for an in-office Zoom whitening procedure is $375, but it can be as expensive as $625, according to RealSelf members. This includes the in-office treatment, as well as the take-home trays and gel. 

Some practices offer special promotional pricing. Just be sure to research the dentist and read patient reviews before committing to an appointment. 

“The price for Zoom in-office whitening varies between individual offices, as well as by location,” says Los Angeles dentist Dr. Henry Fung in a RealSelf Q&A. “Take precautions when selecting where to go—and don’t base your selection solely on price. Finding an office that you can trust and feel comfortable with is very important to achieve the most pain-free and satisfactory experience.”

Because Zoom is an elective cosmetic procedure, your dental and health insurance plans probably won’t cover it.

See our complete guide to Zoom whitening

The Zoom whitening photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.

The best candidates for professional teeth whitening have healthy teeth and gums, without old fillings or restorations. Patients whose teeth have yellow tones are more likely to respond well to Zoom.

People who’ve had restoration work like fillings, crowns, and implants may not be good candidates because those inorganic elements (i.e., not your natural teeth) aren’t receptive to whitening. This can make your teeth look mismatched, but your dentist may be able to develop a plan to give you consistent results.

Zoom whitening isn’t recommended for:

• Children under age 16.
• People who are allergic to peroxide or have overly sensitive teeth.
• Anyone with periodontal disease, cavities, or exposed roots.
• Those who have been diagnosed with melanoma or skin cancer. 
• Pregnant women. The American Dental Association says that due safety concerns from bleaching materials, pregnant women should delay any teeth whitening procedures until after giving birth and finishing breastfeeding. 

RealSelf Tip: If you have cracked or chapped lips, wait until your lips have healed before scheduling your appointment. Your lips will be stretched during the procedure, which could make the cracking worse.

Before your treatment, your dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth and gums and discuss your oral hygiene and lifestyle. They’ll also perform a shade assessment and give you an idea of how much whitening you can expect.

Starting a few weeks beforehand, you can build up some resistance to sensitivity by changing your toothpaste to a sensitive version, like Sensodyne. While it may not head it off entirely, any reduction in sensitivity will be welcome. You’ll also want to use it after the procedure.

Some providers begin by buffing the teeth to remove superficial discoloration, which should feel like a typical teeth cleaning. Then they'll put a retractor and guard in your mouth to cover your gums and lips, exposing only your teeth. 

Then it’s time to apply the Zoom whitening hydrogen peroxide gel to your teeth.

The gel stays on your teeth for 15 minutes at a time, and the process is repeated three times, for a total treatment time of 45 minutes. You’ll be encouraged to relax, watch TV, or listen to music while you wait.

“Hydrogen peroxide works by opening up tiny tubes in the enamel and washing out the stains,” says Dr. Michael Ayzin, a dentist in Costa Mesa, California. Zoom’s blue plasma LED light is designed to activate the gel, which bleaches discolored areas.

Related: We Tried Zoom Whitening, and Here's What It Was Like

Zoom safety studies have drawn mixed conclusions, but many dentists consider Zoom whitening to be perfectly safe. A 2014 study on various peroxide whitening treatments says that “when manufacturer’s instructions are followed, hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide based tooth whitening is safe and effective.” 

Some people worry that Zoom whitening can ruin enamel, and a recent study on the effects of hydrogen peroxide on tooth enamel says that it can be damaging. Talk with your dentist about any concerns you have about the risk of weakened enamel. 

The light used for Zoom whitening can be dangerous to eyes, so you’ll need to wear protective goggles.

Dr. Desiree Yazdan, a dentist in Newport Beach, California, says that while Zoom is safe for teeth, “the light is very bright, and repeated exposure can cause problems with the eyes.” She always gives her patients goggles. 

Your dentist will also make sure your gums and lips are protected during the whitening process with cheek retractors, a special cutout for the gums, and lots of cotton. 

Root resorption, an extremely rare complication in which the body’s own cells dissolve tooth structure, has been seen in people who’ve had teeth whitening procedures after a root canal.

For people with unfilled cavities or a receding gum line, Zoom whitening can be very painful. The procedure can also make cracked teeth more sensitive. Your dentist should check your teeth prior to the procedure to make sure they don’t have these issues.

Some people feel uncomfortable sensitivity during the third 15-minute session, a sensation that some call “zingers.” They can feel like little electric shocks during and after the procedure, so if you have sensitive teeth, ask your dentist if you can take ibuprofen or acetaminophen prior to your appointment. 

At the end of your treatment, your dentist should also apply a fluoride treatment gel to reduce sensitivity. Still, you’ll probably feel some pain for about a day. “It can be very uncomfortable, especially when the teeth are exposed to air, so try to keep your mouth closed as often as possible for those first 24 hours,” says Dr. Ayzin. 

If any of the peroxide gel leaks onto your gums, you may end up with minor burns that look white and can be painful. 

For some people, the sensitivity can be intense enough to linger longer than a day. If you still have pain or persistent burns after 48 hours, call your dentist.

RealSelf Tip: When drinking cold beverages during the first few days after your treatment, use a straw to let the liquid bypass your teeth.

How you treat your teeth during the first two days post-treatment can have a dramatic impact on your results. 

For at least the first 48 hours, avoid:  

• Red wine and grape juice
• Red sauces (ketchup, tomato sauce), mustard, and soy sauce
• Coffee, tea, and cola (try white tea, if you can’t live without caffeine)
• Berries (strawberries, raspberries, cherries, blueberries)
• Smoking and other tobacco products (which will stain teeth even after the initial 48-hour period)

“It’s extremely important to stay away from [staining] foods and drinks for 48 hours following the teeth whitening procedure,” says Houston dentist Dr. Scott Young in a RealSelf Q&A. “The enamel remains porous during this time, making it easy for them to penetrate the outer surface of enamel and negatively alter your results.”

You’ll be able to brush your teeth that first night. Just use a soft brush and toothpaste for sensitive teeth with lukewarm water, to avoid possible zingers. 

“Stay away from colored mouthwashes for 48 hours as well,” says Dr. Steven Davidowitz, a cosmetic dentist in New York City. “The teeth are very prone to soak up the artificial colors in both foods and rinses during this time frame.”

Three days after your Zoom treatment, you’ll begin your at-home regimen. 

Your dentist may supply you with trays and a whitening gel to help keep your teeth looking bright. Place a small amount of gel in each tray and insert them over your teeth, avoiding the gums and wiping away any excess. While you’re using the trays, don’t rinse your mouth, drink, swallow the gel, eat, or smoke.

After two hours, you can remove the trays and clean them with a toothbrush. You’ll do this every day for a week, until the gel is gone.

If you find your teeth are becoming too sensitive, you can reduce the time and frequency of your at-home treatments or stop altogether.

You should see some results immediately, though the degree of whitening will depend on how much staining you had and how white your natural shade is. “Results are different for everybody—it’s dependent on the quality and consistency of the patient’s enamel and what kind of shape their teeth were in to begin with,” says Dr. Ayzin.

Zoom works on all types of tooth discoloration, but gray stains don't respond as well. “It will lighten gray stains, but it doesn’t whiten quite as well for gray as it does for yellow or brown,” says Dr. Ayzin.

Most patients maintain their results for up to six months without needing touch-ups, but using the at-home Zoom trays in conjunction with a whitening toothpaste can extend results for up to a year.

There are many at-home and in-office teeth whitening treatments. Professional treatments tend to have higher levels of hydrogen peroxide, so they offer better results than over-the-counter whitening products (which contain less than 10% hydrogen peroxide). 

“They all work,” says Dr. Ayzin. “It’s basically a matter of how white you want your teeth to be and how quickly you want to get there. In-office treatments will get teeth whiter, faster.” 

• Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made shells applied directly over your teeth. Along with brightening your smile, veneers can disguise gaps, chips, crooked teeth, and other issues.
• Opalescence Boost offers results in about an hour, using 38% hydrogen peroxide (compared to the 25% in Zoom) without a light activator. It also contains PF, a mix of potassium nitrate (to reduce sensitivity) and fluoride (to strengthen teeth and prevent cavities).

ADA Council on Scientific Affairs Tooth Whitening/Bleaching: Treatment Considerations for Dentists and Their Patients (2010)

Garcia R., Teeth Bleaching and Whitening: to ZOOM or not to ZOOM! (2019)

Carey C., Tooth Whitening: What We Now Know (2014)

Experimental Biology, Teeth whitening products can harm protein-rich tooth layer (2019)

Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), UV Light-enhanced Tooth Bleaching Dangerous To Eyes And Skin, Study Shows (2009)

Brinker S., Is Light-Accelerated Whitening Worth the Pain? (2017)