Anyone had their teeth whitened?

Dottore · 12-05-2008, 06:50 AM

I drink a fair bit of coffee.

While at my dentists yesterday he suggested a procedure called "zoom" for whitening teeth. It costs 700 bucks the first time and then you "freshen it up" every year or so for another 200.

I read the brochure but am a little skeptical. I would hate to lose a layer of enamel just for the sake of cosmetics.

Anyone have any experience with this?

Rot 911 · 12-05-2008, 06:55 AM

I use the generic teeth whitener strips from Target and they seem to work pretty well, at least for me.

126coupe · 126coupe's Garage

I had my teeth cleaned yesterday, I passed on zoom, but the hygenist said baking soda makes a harmless very good polish.

dhoward · dhoward's Garage

Clay bar.

Hugh R · 12-05-2008, 07:33 AM

Don't know about "Zoom" I had the UV light bleaching job about a year ago. It worked pretty well. My dentist was doing some charity thingie and I wrote a check to some group for $150 and he did it. I think the retail was $300 or $400. Said my teeth might be sensitive for a day or two, they weren't.

trekkor · 12-05-2008, 07:43 AM

I had my teeth widened...

Oh, I missed the question.

KT

Neilk · 12-05-2008, 08:44 AM

I stopped going to my old dentist when I somehow got on seminar mailing list on "How to make extra money in dentistry." It seems like he was trying to upsell everything. It also helped that he wasn't on my dental plan so out of pocket costs were too high.

All that said, I need some serious whitening. Too bad it's not covered under FSA.

89911 · 12-05-2008, 09:51 AM

Here is some important news on teeth whitening:

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/27994

911Freak · 12-05-2008, 10:25 AM

Had Zoom treatment done 6 months ago, very pleased with the results, paid $200 on a promo.

The process was a bit awkward but I suppose any time you have someone blasting a laser into your mouth it is to be expected.

A couple of teeth were sensitive during the proceedure and afterwards for a couple of days.

I quit smoking a year ago, and the staining of that in addition to my espresso addiction had left my teeth rather... well, in need of something more than whitening strips or baking soda could provide.

FWIW I'd do it again

livi · 12-05-2008, 10:51 AM

Vanity killed the cat..

Be a man, like me, and shave your scrotum instead.

dhoward · dhoward's Garage

Laser scrotum hair removal.
Never a nick or cut again...

vash · vash's Garage

all of my favorite drinks are brown...

whitening teeth hurts me. something about the sensitivity. i find the money better spent in going somewhere tropical, and just getting more tan. it is all about perspective.

mschuep · 12-05-2008, 11:16 AM

700 seems a bit high...A dentist once told me 400, he gets 100 of that 400...

Consumer reports did some OTC product review on this a few years back. IIRC some work, some don't, but either way they take more time than the procedure the dentist does. I'll see if I can find the article...

mike55 · 12-05-2008, 11:27 AM

I've used Plus White gel with the little tray they give you. 2 times a week for 5 minutes while in the shower. For $5 a tube (Shoppers or London Drugs), it works surprisingly well. A tube can last months.

onewhippedpuppy · 12-05-2008, 11:32 AM

I'm married. She's lucky I brush.

Tidybuoy · 12-05-2008, 11:55 AM

slodave · slodave's Garage

sketchers356 · 12-05-2008, 01:34 PM

Talk to Richard Hammond.

campbellcj · 12-06-2008, 12:29 AM

I just did it. Zoom plus gel trays. My teeth were extremely stained. Shoulda taken before/after pics but I can definitely see a big difference.

speeder · speeder's Garage

That zoom procedure is advertised in the L.A. Weekly every week for under $200 at one dentist's office or another. Dentistry has become a HUGE money-making racket these days, just outrageous profit margins.