By:  Kristi Larsen and Mike Rebuck

If you’ve ever spent an hour watching TV, you have undoubtedly noticed that everyone has flashy, pearly white teeth. Bright, white teeth are considered the ideal, and admittedly, they enhance a smile. For those of us that aren’t on TV, having bright teeth can be difficult to maintain. Coffee consumption, tobacco use, and aging are just some of the factors that cause our teeth to darken and stain. For many people, the presence of discolored teeth causes a great deal of shame, which is something that nobody should ever have to live with.  For this reason, teeth whitening has become one of the most sought after cosmetic dental procedures today.

The number of teeth whitening products and services that are available on the marketplace is staggering. ZOOM!^®, one of the most popular teeth whitening systems employed by cosmetic dentists, results in teeth being six to ten shades lighter. Best of all, the ZOOM!^®  teeth whitening procedure can be performed in about one hour.

Mike and I arranged appointments to test ZOOM!^® teeth whitening at Dr. Bradley Sandvik’s Desert Shores Dentistry office.  Upon our arrival, we completed the routine health paperwork and then received a quick tour of the entire office.  We were shown the different services available and the technology utilized in their office, from making impressions to sanitizing equipment.  Then we were each positioned in a comfortable dental station where Karen, a trained dental assistant, polished my teeth; then Dr. Sandvik inspected my mouth, answered my questions, and gave the go-ahead.  Dr. Sandvik checks the patient’s teeth and gums to ensure they are healthy enough for the bleaching process.  To prepare for the procedure, Karen inserted a mouthpiece that holds the lips and insides of the mouth away from the teeth.  She inserted gauze and covered my gums with a protective layer.  A lip balm was applied to my lips to protect them from the bleaching gel.  Then she applied the ZOOM!^® whitening gel, which contains specifically formulated, pH balanced hydrogen peroxide, to my teeth. 

With the gel on my teeth, the hygienist pulled a small lamp up to the surface of my teeth, where it rested for 15 minutes.  I was instructed to remain still and keep my teeth closed on the mouthpiece for the entire session.  To activate the ZOOM!^® whitening gel, a specially designed, low-heat light is applied that penetrates the teeth. As the hydrogen peroxide is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin, bleaching colored (stained) substances while the structure of the tooth is unchanged. The ZOOM!^® light aids in activating the hydrogen peroxide and helps it penetrate the surface of the tooth. A study has shown that use of the ZOOM!^® lamp increases the effectiveness of the ZOOM!^® gel by 26% or more, giving an average improvement of up to eight shades.

Next, Karen wiped my teeth and mouth and reapplied the whitening gel.  This was repeated for three more times for a total of four fifteen-minute sessions to reach the full whitening effect.  To finish up, the mouthpiece was taken out, all the gel was removed from my teeth, and more lip balm was applied.  Then Karen took impressions for my at-home whitening trays, which Desert Shores provides free with the ZOOM!^® procedure (not all offices include this with their ZOOM!).  The whitening trays prevent “fade back” and allow the patient to maintain the bright white look long after the ZOOM!^® office procedure.  Karen explained the at-home instructions I needed to follow to care for my newly whitened teeth.  At the end of the procedure, the she showed me color sample teeth to illustrate my tooth color before and after the process.  Wow!  This stuff works wonders!

She Says:
Maybe I am bragging, but my teeth were relatively white prior to the procedure.  I confess my love for Diet Dr. Pepper, but other than that, I take care to keep my teeth pearly white. No coffee, no tobacco, brush twice a day, etc.  Still, I have always wanted them whiter.  I’ve tried other home whitening kits with okay results, but this procedure – by far – whitened my teeth beyond my expectations.  I am REALLY pleased with the outcome.  The entire process took a couple hours, but it was entirely comfortable.  I did have some mild discomfort and tooth sensitivity later in the day, but by the next morning, I was feeling completely normal.  The results were instant and noticeable!  Numerous friends and clients noticed my sparkling white teeth immediately.  I definitely recommend this procedure.  Dr. Sandvik is very personable.  He answered all of my questions and explained everything in detail.  Dee, the receptionist is so nice, as is the rest of the staff!  Make your appointment for ZOOM!^® today!  Tell Dr. Sandvik that I sent you and you will receive a free consultation and $100 off!  Not only that, but Desert Shores includes the maintenance whitening trays for at-home use FREE of charge (at many offices, these are not included in the whitening fee)!  You can’t beat that!

He Says:
I arrived for my appointment only to be told they needed to chisel the plaque off my teeth with a ice pick before I could get the ZOOM!^® procedure.  I guess they caught me.  I obviously had been less than diligent about regular cleaning appointments.  However, Erin, my hygienist made the cleaning a pleasant experience.  Without a thorough cleaning and polish, I would not receive the fullest whitening effect so I appreciated their insistence on doing things properly.  Jen (dental assistant) entertained me with great conversation while she performed the whitening.  The results were so great!  I managed to blind several people just by smiling at them!  I must say I am thrilled with the results and highly recommend the ZOOM!^® procedure and Desert Shores Dental!

Dr. Bradley Sandvik, DMD, will give you a reason to smile!  Dr. Sandvik is dedicated to excellence in dentistry, specializing in General Family and Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Sandvik has a fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD), is a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology, and the Arizona Dental Association. Desert Shores Dentistry is located near Pecos and 40^th Street at 16515 South 40th Street in Phoenix.  Their phone number is 480.759.2000.