Zoom whitening
In-office Zoom whitening in one visit
The Philips Zoom light, protective goggles and a single chairside appointment at Superior Smiles Dentistry in Bakersfield.
Chapter 01
Why teeth darken, and what whitening can reach
Coffee, tea, red wine and tobacco leave colour on the surface of the enamel. Age does its own slow work underneath, as the enamel thins a little and the layer beneath shows through. Most people who ask about whitening are looking at some mix of both.
Whitening works on natural enamel. It doesn't change the colour of crowns, veneers or existing fillings, which is why it helps to have Dr. Kaur look at what's already in your mouth before you choose a shade to aim for. If a front tooth has a restoration, the whitened teeth around it can end up a different colour from it, and that's worth knowing before the visit, not after.
If you're not sure whether colour is your real concern or whether it's something else, like an uneven edge or a chip, bring the question to a check-up. Whitening is usually the first thing to try when colour is the only issue.
The Zoom whitening light in use in the chair at Suite 660
How the Zoom visit runs in Suite 660
Zoom is the Philips in-office system, and it's the light you see in the photo above. You sit back in one of our grey chairs, wear protective orange goggles, and the team isolates your gums so the whitening gel stays on the teeth and off the soft tissue. The light is then used over the gel at the chair.
It's done in one chairside visit at our Bakersfield office, 4605 Buena Vista Rd Ste 660, so there's no tray to wear for a week and no kit to remember to use at home. Zoom products are also kept at the front desk if you'd like to ask about them.
Wondering whether it suits you? Call us on (661) 454-7600 and ask. Most insurances are accepted for general care, but whitening is a cosmetic treatment, so ask the front desk how it's handled when you book.
Chapter 03
Keeping the colour, and the sensitivity question
Temporary sensitivity after whitening is common. Teeth can feel a bit cool-sensitive for a day or so, and a toothpaste made for sensitive teeth usually helps. If it lingers or feels sharp, tell us rather than waiting it out.
For the first day or two, it's commonly recommended to stay away from the foods and drinks that stain fastest: coffee, tea, red wine, dark sauces. The enamel is at its most porous right after treatment, so that's when it picks up colour most easily.
After that, regular brushing and your six-month cleanings do most of the work of keeping the shade. The hygiene team can polish off fresh surface stain at a check-up, and Dr. Kaur can tell you if a top-up makes sense down the road.
Superior Smiles Dentistry rates 4.7 on Google from 331 reviews, and Zoom whitening is done in the office on Buena Vista Road.
Before and after the Zoom visit
Other care that goes with a brighter smile
- Cosmetic dentistry
Chipped, worn or uneven front teeth, and when veneers or crowns make more sense than whitening.
- Check-ups and general dentistry
A cleaning and exam first, so any decay or gum trouble is dealt with before you whiten.
- Request an appointment
Tell us you're asking about Zoom and we'll point you to the right visit. Mon-Thu 8-5, Fri 8-3.
Superior Smiles, 4605 Buena Vista Rd Ste 660, Bakersfield, CA 93311. (661) 454-7600