Professional teeth whitening can noticeably brighten your smile, but the results are not permanent. Depending on the treatment you choose and how well you care for your teeth afterwards, the improvement may remain visible for several months or, in some cases, a few years.
Philips Zoom is one of the most recognised options for teeth whitening. It is available as a fast in-chair treatment or a gradual take-home system using custom trays.
If you are considering teeth whitening, this guide explains how the two options compare, what affects the Zoom whitening cost and how to maintain your results for as long as possible.
What Are Your Options for Teeth Whitening?
There are three main options for teeth whitening: professional in-chair treatment, dentist-provided take-home trays and over-the-counter products. The right choice depends on how quickly you want results, your budget, the condition of your teeth and whether you experience sensitivity.
1. Philips Zoom In-Chair Whitening
With Philips Zoom professional teeth whitening, the dentist first checks your teeth and records their current shade. Your lips and gums are protected before whitening gel is applied to the teeth.
A Zoom WhiteSpeed LED lamp is then used to support the whitening process. The gel application is completed in several stages during the appointment, followed by a post-treatment product that helps protect the enamel and manage sensitivity.
How long does Zoom whitening take?
A full in-chair session at Stirling Street Dental takes around 90 minutes, and your teeth can be up to 8 shades whiter by the time you leave.
2. Zoom Take-Home Trays
Zoom take-home whitening uses personalised trays made to fit closely over your teeth. Your dentist supplies professional whitening gel and provides clear instructions on how much to use and how long to wear the trays.
Take-home whitening may be suitable if you:
- Prefer to whiten gradually
- Want to complete treatment at home
- Have concerns about sensitivity
- Want reusable trays for future dentist-approved touch-ups
- Are looking for a lower-cost professional option
How long does Zoom Take-Home Trays whitening take?
Stirling Street Dental usually recommends wearing the custom trays for around 60 minutes each day. Many patients notice a change within five to seven days, although the full process can take one to two weeks.
3. Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening Products
Over-the-counter whitening products include whitening strips, toothpastes, rinses, pens and generic tray kits. These products generally contain a lower concentration of whitening ingredients than professional treatments, so the results are usually more gradual, subtle and less predictable.
How long does Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening take?
Overall, the results from over-the-counter products may remain noticeable for several weeks to a few months.
Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?
No, teeth whitening is not permanent.
Whitening treatment reduces existing discolouration, but it does not stop new stains from developing. The brighter shade will gradually soften as your teeth are exposed to strongly coloured foods, drinks and habits such as smoking.
The good news is that with sensible aftercare, professional results last far longer than anything you can buy off the shelf.
It is also important to know that whitening only changes the colour of natural teeth. It does not whiten:
- Dental crowns
- Veneers
- Tooth-coloured fillings
- Bridges
- Dentures
If you have visible dental restorations, your dentist should assess how whitening may affect the overall colour balance of your smile. In some cases, another cosmetic dentistry treatment may be more appropriate.
How Long Does Zoom Whitening Last?
With good aftercare, in-chair Zoom whitening results typically last 12 months to 2 years, and sometimes longer. Take-home tray results sit in a similar range, though they may fade slightly sooner. By comparison, over-the-counter strips and whitening toothpastes tend to fade within a few months.
Where you land in that range depends almost entirely on your habits:
- Diet: Regular coffee, tea, and red wine drinkers will see results fade faster.
- Smoking: Tobacco is one of the fastest ways to undo a whitening treatment.
- Oral hygiene: Consistent brushing and flossing slow new stain build-up.
- Age and enamel: As enamel thins with age, the yellower dentine underneath shows through more, regardless of surface stains.
Many patients keep their results going indefinitely with occasional take-home top-ups between in-chair sessions.
Zoom Whitening Cost: In-Chair vs Take-Home vs Over-the-Counter
Zoom whitening cost varies between practices, but here is how the three main options for teeth whitening typically compare in Australia:
- In-chair Zoom whitening costs $700 per session. It is the most expensive option, but you get dramatic results in a single 90-minute visit, supervised by a dental professional.
- Dentist-provided take-home kits with custom trays usually cost between $300 and $600. Results take one to two weeks, but the custom fit and professional-strength gel deliver far better results than anything from a chemist.
- Over-the-counter products such as strips, pens, and whitening toothpastes cost anywhere from $20 to $150. They are the cheapest upfront, but the whitening agents are much weaker, results are modest, and they fade quickly. Repeat purchases add up.
There is no single Zoom whitening price that applies to every patient. Your final cost may depend on whether you need an examination or clean first, whether custom trays are included and whether additional gel is required.
What Makes Whitening Fade Faster?
The same things that stained your teeth in the first place will stain them again. The biggest offenders are:
- Coffee, tea, and red wine
- Cola and other dark soft drinks
- Curries, tomato-based sauces, soy sauce, and berries
- Smoking and vaping
You do not need to give these up entirely. Small adjustments make a real difference, such as drinking coffee through a reusable straw, rinsing your mouth with water after a glass of red, and not sipping staining drinks slowly across the whole day.
Simple Aftercare Tips to Keep Your Teeth Whiter for Longer
A little routine goes a long way after whitening:
- Avoid strong-coloured food and drink for the first 48 hours. Your enamel is more porous immediately after treatment, so stick to pale foods and water where you can.
- Brush twice a day and floss daily. Plaque holds onto stains, so keeping it off your teeth keeps them brighter.
- Rinse with water after staining food or drink. A quick rinse stops pigments settling on the enamel.
- Keep up your regular dental check-up and clean. A professional scale and clean removes the surface staining and tartar that dull your smile between whitening treatments.
- Use a take-home kit for touch-ups. A short course with your custom trays every 6 to 12 months keeps your shade topped up without needing a full in-chair session each time.
When Is a Whitening Touch-Up Worth Booking?
You do not need to repeat a full in-chair procedure as soon as your teeth lose a small amount of brightness. Booking a touch-up is enough.
A touch-up may be worth discussing when:
- Your teeth have noticeably darkened
- You regularly consume staining drinks
- You have an important event approaching
- Your previous result has faded after several months
- Your dentist recommends using your take-home trays again
Do not increase the amount of gel or whiten more frequently than instructed. Overusing whitening products can increase sensitivity and irritate the gums.
Your dentist can assess your current shade, confirm that your teeth and gums are healthy and recommend whether a short take-home touch-up or another in-chair session is appropriate.
Book Your Professional Teeth Whitening in the Perth CBD
Whitening is not permanent, but with the right treatment and simple aftercare, a brighter smile can last for years rather than months.
At Stirling Street Dental, we offer both in-chair Philips Zoom whitening and custom take-home kits as part of our cosmetic dentistry services. We are centrally located in the Perth CBD, open Monday to Saturday, and are a preferred provider for HBF, BUPA, HCF and NIB. HICAPS is available to claim your health fund benefit on the spot.
Book your teeth whitening consultation today and find out which option suits your smile and your budget.
