The step by step application process sounds similar to a number of other products in use and are as follows:

• The teeth and gums are cleaned and dried by the dentist before a protective layer is placed on the gums.
• The special Smartbleach red gel is applied to the teeth.
• Each tooth is then exposed to the laser light for around 30 seconds. According to the advertising the patient should either feel a slight tingling sensation or nothing at all.
• The gel is then removed and the mouth is rinsed out.
• This process is repeated for three applications with the entire treatment taking from 1 to 1-1/4 hours.
• Finally the teeth are given a fluoride treatment activated by the Smartbleach laser to protect them and build up resistance against decay.

Although it sounds similar, the technology behind the Smartbleach process is subtly different. The Smartbleach laser produces a light from the green color spectrum which is then applied to a red gel. The gel is a non-acidic preparation of hydrogen peroxide. The idea is that the complementary colors of the laser and the gel interact to reach large, light absorbing molecules in the teeth which are changed into smaller molecules. A photo–chemical reaction takes place. The laser and gel penetrate through the outer enamel and into the dentin layer. The smaller molecules give more light reflective surface to the teeth. The result is whiter teeth.

For the majority of patients, a single treatment is all that is needed and the teeth won’t need another whitening treatment for years. Cost in Australia for a Smartbleach treatment is around $900.

A consultation with a Smartbleach approved dentist is recommended to decide whether this kind of teeth whitening treatment is suitable for your teeth.

Although it uses infrared rays the patient rarely experiences any discomfort due to heat because the beam is so specifically focussed and it is only aimed at a tooth for around 15 seconds at a time.

A LaserSmile teeth whitening treatment will take under an hour to complete – and that includes the setting up and closing down. The bleaching session usually consists of 2 applications of the LaserSmile teeth whitener, the first application taking 16 minutes and the second around 8 minutes.

There is no format at-home whitening treatment after the surgery treatment although your dentist may choose to follow up with another teeth whitening product.

Check the home page for more teeth whitening choices.

Zoom Teeth Whitening is an in-surgery procedure that whitens teeth through the application of a peroxide gel followed by exposure to a whitening lamp in which ultraviolet light is emitted and this reacts with the ingredients of the gel. The resulting process is known as a photo-Fenton reaction whereby free radicals are produced which break down stain chromophores.

The Zoom Teeth Whitening process takes around 45 minutes to complete and patients experience an average whitening of around 8 shades.

The step by step Zoom Teeth Whitening Process

1. Once you’re comfortable in the chair, retractors are placed in your mouth to keep your teeth exposed.
2. A rubbery coating known as a dental dam is applied to your gums to protect them. Being a peroxide-based agent, the Zoom whitening gel is irritating to soft gum tissue.
3. Eye protection is a necessity due to the caustic nature of the gel and the fact that the rays emitted form the light could cause eye damage.
4. The Zoom whitening gel is applied to your teeth.
5. The Zoom whitening light is focused on your teeth and left there for between 15 and 30 minutes to give it time to activate the gel and release the peroxide.
6. The gel and rubber gum coating is removed and you rinse your mouth before checking out your new smile.
7. Some cosmetic dentists will provide you with a whitening tray to wear at night to boost the bleaching power of the treatment.
8. This process may be repeated with a return visit.

The general consensus is that the Zoom teeth whitening process is relatively pain-free with only a few patients reporting that they experienced only minimal discomfort.

The Cost of Zoom Teeth Whitening

Depending on the cosmetic dentist you go to you can expect to pay somewhere in the region of $700 – $900 for a Zoom teeth whitening in-surgery treatment.

Check more Teeth Whitening options.