Ready for Zoom teeth whitening? Please read this important information prior to the Zoom laser procedure in Chair-side Teeth Whitening

This information has been given to me so that you can make an informed decision about having my teeth whitened. You have the right to ask any questions to your dentist about the procedure before agreeing to undergo Zoom teeth whitening. Your dentist should inform you that your teeth are discoloured and could be treated by in-office teeth whitening (also known as 'bleaching') of your teeth.

The Zoom Teeth Whitening Procedure

The Zoom laser whitening is a procedure designed to lighten the colour of your teeth using a combination of hydrogen peroxide gel and a specially designed lamp. The Zoom power laser whitening treatment involves using the gel and lamp in conjunction with each other to produce maximum teeth whitening results in the shortest possible time. During the procedure, the whitening gel will be applied to your teeth and your teeth will be exposed to the light from the Zoom advanced power lamp for four (4) 15 minutes sessions. During the entire treatment, a plastic restractor will be placed in your mouth to help keep it open and the soft tissues of your mouth (lips, gums, cheeks and tongue) will be covered to ensure they are not exposed to either the gel or the light. Lip balm (SPF rating 30+) will also be applied and you will be provided an ultraviolet light filter for your eyes. After the treatment is completed, the retractor and all gel and tissue coverings will be removed from your mouth. Before and after the treatment, the shade of your teeth will be assessed and recorded.

Alternative Teeth Whitening Treatments

You may decide not to have the Zoom laser whitening treatment at all. However, should you decide to undergo the treatment, you should understand that there are indeed alternative treatments for whitening your teeth for which your dentist can provide additional information. These treatments include whitening toothpastes/gels, take-home whitening kits and other in-office whitening treatments.

Zoom! Teeth Whitening Cost

The cost of the Zoom laser whitening treatment is determined by your dentist. Your dentist will inform you if there are any other costs associated with the Zoom treatment.

Risks of Zoom Teeth Whitening Treatment

The Zoom3 treatment results may vary or regress due to a variety of circumstances. Almost all natural teeth can benefit from Zoom power laser whitening treatments and significant whitening can be achieved in the majority of cases. Zoom laser whitening treatments are not intended to lighten artificial teeth, caps, crowns, veneers or porcelain, composite or other restorative materials and that people with darkly stained yellow or yellow-brown teeth frequently achieve better results than people with gray or bluish-gray teeth. Teeth with multiple colourations, bands, splothes or spots due to tetracycline use or flourosis do not whiten as well, may need multiple treatments or may not whiten at all. Teeth with many fillings, cavities, chips or cracks may not lighten and are usually best treated with other non-bleaching alternatives. Provisionals or temporaries made from acrylics may become discoloured after exposure to Zoom laser whitening treatment.

Zoom laser whitening treatment is not recommended for pregnant or lactating women, light sensitive individuals, patients receiving PUVA (Psoralen = UVA radiation) or other photochemotherapeutic drugs or treatment, as well as patients with melanoma, diabetes or heart conditions. Zoom! teeth whitening lamp emits ultraviolet radiation (UVA and UVB) and patients taking any drugs that increase photosensitivity should consult with their physician before undergoing Zoom laser whitening treatment.

The only way to determine the outcome of the teeth whitening is to try a chairside whitening treatment.

The results of Zoom power laser whitening treatment cannot be guaranteed.

Complications During and After Zoom Teeth Whitening

In-office teeth whitening treatments are considered generally safe by most dental professionals. Although your dentist has been trained in the proper use of the Zoom laser whitening system, the treatment is not without risk.

Some of the potential complications of this treatment include, but are not limited to:

Tooth sensitivity / pain

During the first 24 hours after Zoom laser whitening treatment, many patients can experience some tooth sensitivity or slight pain. This is normal and is usually mild, but it can be worse in susceptible individuals. Normally, sensitivity following a Zoom teeth whitening treatment subsides after a few days, but it may persist for longer periods of time in susceptible individuals. People with existing sensitivity, recession, exposed dentin, exposed root surfaces and occlusal wear facets (severely worn teeth), damaged or missing enamel, cracked teeth, abfractions (micro-cracks), open cavities, leaking fillings, or other dental conditions that cause sensitivity or allow penetration of the gel into the the tooth may find that those conditions increase or prolong tooth sensitivity after Zoom laser whitening treatment.

Gum/lip/cheek inflammation

Zoom whitening may cause inflammation of your gums, lips or cheek margins. This is due to inadvertent exposure of a small area of those tissues to the teeth whitening gel or the Zoom light. The inflammation is usually temporary and will subside in a few days but may persist longer and may result in significant pain or discomfort, depending on the degree to which the soft tissues were exposed to the teeth whitening gel or the Zoom light.

Dry/chapped lips

The Zoom laser whitening treatment involves three 15 minute sessions during which the mouth is kept open continuously for the entire treatment by a plastic retractor. This could result in dryness or chapping of the lips or cheek margins, which can be treated by application of lip balm, petroleum jelly or Vitamin E cream.

Cavities or leaking fillings

Most dental teeth whitening is indicated for the outside of the teeth, except for patient who have already undergone a root canal procedure. If any open cavities or fillings that are leaking and allowing teeth whitening gel to penetrate the tooth are present, significant painand damageto the tooth could result. If my teeth have any of these conditions, you should have your cavities filled or my fillings re-done before undergoing Zoom teeth whitening treatment.

Cervical abrasion/erosion

These are conditions which affect the roots of the teeth when the gums recede and they are caracterized by grooves, notches and/or depressions, that appear darker than the rest of the teeth, where the teeth meet the gums. These areas appear darker because they lack the enamel that covers the rest of the teeth. Even if these areas are not currently sensitive, they can allow the teeth whitening gel to penetrate the teeth, causing sensitivity, pain and possible damage to the nerve inside the tooth. If your teeth have any of these conditions, you should not undergo the Zoom teeth whitening treatment.

Root resorption

This is a condition where the root starts to dissolve either from the inside or from the outside. Although the cause of this is still uncertain, there is evidence that indicates the incidence of root resorption is higher in patients who have undergone root canal procedures followed by teeth whitening.

Relapse

After the Zoom teeth whitening treatment, it is natural for the teeth that underwent the Zoom treatment to regress somewhat in their shading after treatment. This is natural and should be very gradual, but it can be accelerated by exposing to the teeth to various staining agents. Treatment usually involves wearing a take-home tray or repeating the Zoom teeth whitening treatment. The results of the Zoom teeth whitening treatment are not intended to be permanent or secondary, repeat or take-home treatments may be needed for me to maintain the tooth shade you desire for your teeth.

Staining/discolouration

After Zoom teeth whitening treatment, you will be required to refrain from consuming any substances that could discolour your teeth for minimum of 8-10 days - however 2-4 weeks would be preferable. These substance include coffee, tea, colas, tobacco product, mustard, ketchup, red wine, soy sauce, dark berries, dark beers and red sauces. There are other substances that could discolour your teeth which you should avoid during the first 48 hours after treatment. If you have any questions regarding such substances, you can discuss its stain potential with your dentist.

The safety, efficacy, potential complications and risks of Zoom teeth whitening treatment can be explained to you by your dentist and more information on this should be provided to you upon your request. Since it is impossible to state every complication that may occur as a result of Zoom teeth whitening treatment, the list of complications in this form is incomplete.

Please do not hesitate to call or email Mermaid Dental Clinic on 020 7580 1001 if you have any further questions.

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