Zoom Teeth Whitening or Teeth Trays from the Dentist?

Crest Whitening Strips that self seal is what I used, but it took 2 weeks rather than 1 because I had to use them every other day due to sensitivity. I too am a coffee drinker and diet everything carbonated :) I just saw an ad about Zoom and haven't done my research on it yet, but just looking at the ad made me say "that'll really hurt afterwards". There are some whitening products available over the counter that now help with sensitivity. I work at a dental clinic and my dentist always suggests over the counter and never use more than 3 days in a row straight. Call and ask your dentist what they think... as far as I know, they can't charge you for a phone call lol

The last time I zoomed my teeth was three years ago, and my teeth are still white. The down fall is the sensitivity after bleaching, and sometimes your gum's may turn white for a few hours.

I did Zoom right before my wedding and had great results, but did experience some MAJOR sensitivity and pain that evening. Not sure if I'd ever do it again, although my dentist did tell me that I should have called and they would have called in a script for me when I described the pain I was in that night. If you're teeth are sensitive, I definitely wouldn't recommend any kind of whitening, as even the trays increase sensitivity, but definitely not Zoom.

I had my teeth whitened at the dentist before my wedding (apx $200)... TOTALLY worth it... but he also formed the trays and sent me home with them as a wedding present...and I periodically refill the gel syringes (about 10 bucks a year). Theoretically I should use them about once a month. I don't. I do it about once every 6 months. It doesn't keep them movie star white, but creamy *perfect* (imho) white.

I had some sensitivity that day, but nothing to write home about. There was a little nail polish looking jar though, that comes with the treatment that caused EXCRUCIATING pain about 1/2 hour after applying it. Because I'm one of *those* people who always have to see if an experiment is repeatable, I tried it 2 more times before I was convinced it was the the little jar's fault. I tossed it.

The procedure itself was long (probably less long than I thought), and boring, and pain free... thank goodness the hygenist kept applying vaseline on my lips.

As a dental hygienist, I personally would not recommend Zoom--people tend to experience a lot more sensitivity with it and it regresses more quickly and is more difficult to maintain than the traditional custom trays. (I think it may be more expensive, also, but whitening prices can be all over the map, so don't quote me on that!) I do recommend the custom made trays (from your dentist) over any of the over the counter options. They tend to have more even, consistent results and you have more controls with them. If you have a problem with sensitivity, you can either use a lower strength solution or only use them every other day. Also, you can ask your dentist for a prescription-strength fluoride gel to apply between treatments to help with sensitivity. The sensitivity will go away within two weeks after you're done whitening--if you experience it at all. Most people will wear the trays for about an hour per day for 1-3 weeks to acheive their desired results. (Specific procedures vary by product--your dentist will walk you through all the directions.) You will need to touch up periodically (typically once a month to once a year--again, you have control of how frequently you think you need to "brighten" up a little bit). I'm hesitant to name any prices, since they do vary a lot and sometimes offices will offer whitening "specials" when you receive other services, but I've hear of offices charging anywhere from $100 to $500. I'd say something in the $200 range is pretty typical, these days. It's a little more than the Crest strips (about $50 per box), but if you end up having to buy a second box (which a lot of people do) and then more over the years to touch-up, then the savings is really not very significant. I hope this answers your questions. Happy whitening!