Post Operative Instructions
Zoom/ Whitening
Tooth Sensitivity/Pain – During the first 24 hours after Zoom! treatment, some patients can experience some tooth sensitivity or pain. This is normal and is usually mild, but it can be worse in susceptible individuals. Normally, tooth sensitivity or pain following a Zoom! treatment subsides within 24 hours, but in rare cases can persist for longer periods of time in susceptible individuals. People with existing sensitivity, recession, exposed dentin, exposed root surfaces, recently cracked teeth, abfractions (micro-cracks), open cavities, leaking fillings, or other dental conditions that cause sensitivity or allow penetration of the gel into the tooth may find that those conditions increase or prolong tooth sensitivity or pain after Zoom! treatment.
Gum/Lip/Cheek Inflammation – 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 whitening gel or the ultraviolet light. The inflammation is usually temporary which 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 gel or ultraviolet light.
Dry/Chapped Lips – The Zoom! 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 whitening is indicated for the outside of the teeth, except for patients who have already undergone a root canal procedure. If any open cavities or fillings that are leaking and allowing gel to penetrate the tooth are present, significant pain could result. If a patient has these dental conditions, the cavities must be filled and fillings must be redone, before undergoing Zoom! treatment.
Cervical Abrasion/Erosion – These are conditions which affect the roots of the teeth when the gums recede and they are characterized 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 whitening gel to penetrate the teeth, causing sensitivity. If cervical abrasion/erosion exists on a patient’s teeth, these areas will be covered with dental dam prior to Zoom! treatment.
Root Resorption – This is a condition where the root of the tooth starts to dissolve either from the inside or 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 canals followed by whitening procedures.
Relapse – After the Zoom! 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 the teeth to various staining agents. Treatment usually involves wearing a take-home tray or repeating the Zoom! treatment. Zoom! Treatments are not intended to be permanent and secondary. Repeat or take-home treatments may be needed to maintain the tooth shade desired.
