Philips Zoom Teeth Whitening in Canberra City

Hobart Place Dental provides Philips Zoom teeth whitening in Canberra City (Civic). Zoom is a professional-grade whitening system made by Philips, and it is applied under the supervision of a dentist rather than bought off a shelf. Our dentists have completed Philips Zoom training.

Whitening is a cosmetic treatment. It changes the colour of teeth and does nothing for decay, gum disease, cracks or worn fillings, so we examine your mouth first and deal with anything that needs treating before we whiten.

What is teeth whitening?

Whitening uses a peroxide-based bleaching gel to lighten the colour of natural tooth enamel.

Why do people ask about it?

Most people who ask us about whitening are self-conscious about staining or discolouration — commonly from coffee, tea, red wine, smoking, or simply age.

How is it applied?

There are two options at our Canberra City clinic:

• In-chair — the treatment is carried out by one of our dentists in a single appointment.
• Take-home — you use custom trays at home over roughly five to fourteen days. A consultation is still needed first to take impressions and make the trays.

Which one suits you depends on your teeth, the type of staining, and how much time you want to spend on it.

Risks and limitations

This is the part worth reading before you book.

• Sensitivity is common. Some people get tooth and gum sensitivity during or after whitening. It usually settles within a day or two, and a desensitising gel can help, but it is not always avoidable.
• Results vary and cannot be predicted. Most people see some lightening. How much depends on the type and depth of the staining, how many treatments you have, and your habits afterwards. Some teeth respond very little — grey discolouration and staining from tetracycline or trauma often respond poorly.
• It does not last indefinitely. Whitening typically holds for somewhere between six months and two years. Smoking and frequent coffee, tea, wine or soft drink will shorten that.
• It does not work on dental work. Crowns, veneers, bridges and fillings do not lighten. If they are at the front of your mouth, whitening the teeth around them can leave them looking mismatched — sometimes the answer is to replace the restoration rather than to whiten.
• It does not suit everyone. We do not whiten during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Untreated decay, gum disease, exposed dentine, heavily cracked teeth or some medical conditions may mean whitening is inappropriate, or needs to wait.

How soon will I see a change?

In-chair whitening can show a visible change within about 90 minutes in a single session. Take-home whitening builds up over one to two weeks.

What does it cost?

Cost depends on which option you choose and how many treatments you need. We will give you a written estimate at your consultation before any treatment starts.

Whether whitening is worth doing, and which method suits you, is a decision to make with your dentist after an examination. Get in touch if you would like to talk it through.