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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
Overall, the results from over-the-counter products may remain noticeable for several weeks to a few months.
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:
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.
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:
Many patients keep their results going indefinitely with occasional take-home top-ups between in-chair sessions.
Zoom whitening cost varies between practices, but here is how the three main options for teeth whitening typically compare in Australia:
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.
The same things that stained your teeth in the first place will stain them again. The biggest offenders are:
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.
A little routine goes a long way after whitening:
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:
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.
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.
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