Zoom Teeth Whitening in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is Zoom teeth whitening?
Zoom teeth whitening is one specific way of whitening teeth: a chair-side procedure completed in one appointment at the dental clinic. A whitening gel stronger than anything sold for home use is painted onto the front surfaces of the teeth, and a lamp placed in front of the mouth activates the gel while you rest in the chair.
Zoom is a named whitening system, and the name is what many people search for when they want their teeth whitened in one sitting. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah offers Zoom whitening in its own dental clinic. For an overview of every whitening route, including custom home trays, see the general teeth whitening page. This page follows the Zoom visit itself, step by step.
A detail many people find surprising: most of the appointment is spent protecting the mouth rather than whitening it. The lips, cheeks and gums are shielded before the gel goes on, because the gel is meant only for the tooth surface.
Who needs it
Zoom whitening suits adults with healthy teeth and gums whose natural teeth have yellowed or darkened with age, coffee, tea or smoking, and who prefer one clinic visit to a course of home whitening. It is a popular choice before a wedding, graduation or family occasion, when a single appointment fits a busy diary.
A check comes first. The dentist looks for decay, worn enamel, exposed roots and gum inflammation, and records the current shade of your teeth. If hardened deposit or surface stain is found, a scale and polish is carried out first so the gel reaches clean enamel.
What happens
The Zoom whitening visit follows a set sequence.
- Shade record. The dentist records the starting shade of your teeth with a shade guide and may take a photograph.
- Protection. A cheek retractor holds the lips and cheeks away from the teeth. A protective barrier is painted along the gum line and set hard, and you wear eye protection.
- Gel. The whitening gel is applied to the front surfaces of the teeth that show when you smile.
- Light. The lamp is positioned in front of your mouth and switched on for one round. You sit back, breathe normally and can listen to music.
- Repeat. The gel is suctioned away and fresh gel is applied for further rounds. The dentist checks your comfort between rounds and can stop at any point.
- Finish. The gel and gum barrier are removed, the mouth is rinsed, and the new shade is recorded. A desensitising product may be applied to the teeth.
You are awake and relaxed throughout, and no injection is needed. The dental nurse stays with you while the light is on.
Preparing for it
Brush and clean between your teeth before you come, and have any recommended cleaning completed in advance. Tell the dentist if your teeth are already sensitive; a sensitivity toothpaste used for a period beforehand may be suggested.
Wear lip balm, because the retractor holds the lips open for the whole visit. Tell the dentist about recent fillings or crowns on the front teeth, and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, so the timing can be planned. If you are fasting during Ramadan, a slot after iftar may suit you better, since the first hours after whitening call for plain water and pale foods.
Afterwards
Straight after Zoom whitening, the teeth are more open to taking up colour. For the next day or two, keep to a pale diet: water, milk, rice, chicken, white bread and similar foods. Leave coffee, tea, cola, red sauces, saffron, turmeric, dark berries and smoking until the dentist says the teeth have settled.
Short zings of sensitivity to cold are common in the first day and usually fade. A sensitivity toothpaste and lukewarm drinks help. The dentist may provide custom trays and a top-up gel so you can refresh the shade at home later, and a regular check-up and cleaning keeps surface stain in check.
Contact the dentist if sensitivity is severe or lasts beyond a few days, or if the gums stay sore, white or blistered after the visit.
Cost and insurance
Zoom whitening is cosmetic dentistry and is usually self-pay; UAE health insurance plans generally exclude whitening. The check-up and any cleaning beforehand are preventive care that many dental plans cover. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can explain the cost of the visit and check your dental cover on 06 599 7777.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the risks of Zoom teeth whitening?
The main risks of Zoom teeth whitening are temporary tooth sensitivity and irritation of the gums or lips where the gel touches soft tissue. Whitening also leaves crowns, veneers and fillings at their original shade, so they can look different from the whitened teeth. The dentist checks your mouth first and explains how these risks apply to you.
Is Zoom whitening different from other teeth whitening?
Zoom whitening is an in-clinic procedure completed in one visit, using a professional gel activated by a light while you sit in the dental chair. Home whitening uses custom trays and a milder gel worn over a course of days. Both lighten natural tooth colour, and the dentist explains which suits your teeth and your diary.
Does Zoom whitening use a laser?
Zoom whitening uses a special lamp to activate the whitening gel, which is a light source rather than a laser. The light sits in front of the mouth and is painless. Your lips, gums and eyes are protected throughout the visit.
Does Zoom whitening hurt?
Zoom whitening is usually comfortable, and no injection is needed. Some people feel short zings of sensitivity during or after the visit, which usually settle within a day or two. Tell the dentist during the procedure if you feel discomfort, and the round can be shortened or stopped.
How long does Zoom whitening last?
How long a Zoom whitening result lasts depends on your diet, smoking and cleaning habits, because teeth gradually take up colour again. Keeping staining drinks to a minimum, regular cleaning and occasional top-up whitening at home help maintain the shade. The dentist advises on a plan for your teeth.
Can everyone have Zoom whitening?
Zoom whitening suits most adults with healthy teeth and gums. It is usually postponed during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and it is unsuitable for children and for teeth with untreated decay, gum disease or exposed roots until those are treated. The dentist confirms whether Zoom suits you at the check before the visit.
Will Zoom whitening whiten my crowns or veneers?
Zoom whitening works on natural tooth enamel and leaves crowns, veneers and fillings at the shade they were made in. If you have restorations on your front teeth, the dentist plans the shade with you, and a restoration may be replaced afterwards to match the whitened teeth.
Does insurance cover Zoom whitening in the UAE?
Zoom whitening is cosmetic and is usually self-pay in the UAE. The check-up and cleaning beforehand are often covered as preventive care. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can check your policy on 06 599 7777.
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