Product Evaluation

PRODUCT EVALUATION UPDATE

DPS revisits the evaluation of Philips’ Zoom WhiteSpeed and examines subsequent advancements and peer reviews.

ZOOM WhiteSpeed Evaluation

Zoom WhiteSpeed is a professional, in-office complete whitening system that whitens up to 8 shades in 45 minutes

When Dental Product Shopper evaluated the Philips Zoom WhiteSpeed LED in-office whitening system in 2013, a team of dentists lauded the product for its ease of use as well as both clinician and patient satisfaction. “Patients are always amazed with the results in such a short period of time,” one evaluator said. Another added, “Patients always leave happy.”

As an integral part of Philips line of whitening products, Zoom WhiteSpeed is an in-office system that provides multiple benefits for both dental professionals and patients. According to Philips, the system can whiten teeth up to 8 shades in 45 minutes in a single visit. Customizable intensity settings on the light allow dentists to make adjustments for patients who may experience sensitivity during the whitening process, which maximizes patient comfort.

Ultimately, the group of evaluators awarded Zoom WhiteSpeed a DPS “Best Product” rating. For this evaluation update, we checked in with Philips regarding its enhanced training program for dental offices, and spoke with dentists about how the product performs today.

Certified Zoom Provider

To ensure their product is used correctly, Philips requires each office to become certified as a Philips Zoom WhiteSpeed provider. The easy-to-use interactive training program is offered online for user convenience and includes videos and quizzes to encourage mastery of the Zoom system. Philips Whitening Specialist Valeria Gutierrez said the training program is one of the features that sets Zoom apart from other in-office whitening systems. Each provider is required to learn the Philips Zoom Sensitivity Protocol, which stresses several pre- and post-treatment steps to prevent or reduce sensitivity. “In addition to the required online training,” Gutierrez said, “Philips customer service representatives are always available to answer questions or address concerns, and a customer can always request a hands-on training session with one of our reps.” Philips recently launched a new program exclusively for their WhiteSpeed customers that provides free practice-building coaching sessions, tips from successful whitening practices, and patient education tools.

Predictable, Consistent Whitening Results

The advanced blue LED light-activated technology of the WhiteSpeed lamp accelerates the whitening process so that patients can safely achieve a whiter smile in one office visit. After a short preparation period and application of the 25% hydrogen peroxide gel, a patient sits under the light for three 15-minute whitening sessions, with an optional fourth 15-minute session offered in some cases.

The LED light delivers the optimal spectrum of light energy to activate the gel, and one in-office session can deliver 6 to 8 shades of teeth whitening, according to Philips. The light’s 3 customizable intensity settings allow each patient to receive a comfortable whitening experience, and patients take home Philips DayWhite or NiteWhite whitening gel for at-home maintenance. Desiree Hengel, CDA, has been using Zoom products for years and told DPS, “Patients love that Zoom WhiteSpeed provides an automatic, predictable result that provides instant satisfaction.” Since her office invested in the WhiteSpeed Accelerator, Hengel said they’ve increased services to existing patients and seen an influx of new patients. As part of their marketing strategy, she takes before-and-after whitening photos of patients and promotes them on the practice’s Facebook page. “Zoom WhiteSpeed brings patients into your office, patients you’ve never seen before, and it brings instant satisfaction and results,” Hengel noted.

Calling the whitening results with Zoom WhiteSpeed “amazing,” Dr. Mathilde Reznik, a dentist in Bar Harbor, ME, said she’s happy to have a “wow result” to present to patients. “It’s wonderful to have the confidence of a predictable result,” she said. Another advantage is the light’s portability. Dr. Reznik pointed out that it’s small and on wheels, which makes it easy to move between rooms.

All-Inclusive System

Philips offers procedure kits that contain everything needed for an in-office whitening treatment with the WhiteSpeed system. In addition to the 25% HP whitening gel, each kit contains a retractor, gauze, cotton rolls, lip balm, suction, Relief ACP gel, a syringe of take home gel, and a tray case. The kit makes it easy for patients to maintain whitening at home.

Little to No Sensitivity

Because the WhiteSpeed light has 3 adjustable intensity settings, patients typically experience little to no sensitivity, according to Philips. Wavelength emissions are between 400 to 505 nm, and the energy intensity delivered to the teeth can be set at high, medium, or low. Before Dr. Reznik purchased the WhiteSpeed system, one of her biggest fears of in-offi ce whitening treatments was patient sensitivity. With the WhiteSpeed, she said, “There is zero sensitivity. I tried it with all 3 light intensities, and patients had absolutely no sensitivity at all—even patients who had a previous history of post-whitening sensitivity.”

"With 3 adjustable intensity settings, patents typically experience little to no sensitivity."

Increased Revenue

For Dr. Reznik, investing in Zoom WhiteSpeed has maximized the practice’s chair time, which translates into better productivity for the dental team and increased revenue. “A patient can be in a chair receiving whitening treatment while I’m doing a different procedure in another room,” she shared. “My assistant can fully manage the whitening protocol, and that increases productivity for the entire office.”

Takeaways

•A professional in-office whitening system that whitens up to 8 shades in 45 minutes

•Online training is required to become a certified Philips Zoom WhiteSpeed provider

•All-inclusive whitening kits are convenient for professional and patient

•3 customizable light intensity settings

•Patients maintain whitening at home with Philips DayWhite or NiteWhite