Let’s be honest: there’s something about a bright, white smile that changes everything. The way you feel in photos. The confidence you walk into a room with. The impression you leave when you smile.
Philips Zoom™ is the world’s most widely used professional teeth whitening system — and at Enhance Dental Centre in Kitsilano, we’re proud to offer it. Get up to 8 shades whiter in a single office visit. Yes, really.
Philips Zoom is a professional-grade in-office whitening treatment that uses a proprietary whitening gel activated by a special LED light. Unlike over-the-counter strips and trays, Zoom is administered by dental professionals in a controlled environment — delivering results that are faster, stronger, and longer-lasting.
In-Office Zoom WhiteSpeed:
The full treatment is completed right here at our Kitsilano clinic in about 45–60 minutes. You’ll leave with visibly whiter teeth the same day. Ideal for upcoming events, weddings, interviews, or anyone who just wants fast results.
Zoom Take-Home Kits:
Custom trays made from impressions of your teeth, paired with professional-strength whitening gel you use at home. Gradual results over 2 weeks. Great for maintaining in-office results or for those who prefer flexibility.
With proper care, Zoom whitening results can last 1–3 years. Avoiding staining foods and beverages (or limiting them), not smoking, and using touch-up kits as recommended help maintain your bright results for as long as possible.
Absolutely. Philips Zoom is clinically tested and approved. Our dental team monitors the entire process to protect your gums and ensure the treatment is as comfortable as possible. Some patients experience temporary sensitivity — this is normal and typically subsides within 24–48 hours.
Zoom works best on healthy teeth with extrinsic (surface) staining from coffee, tea, wine, or tobacco. It’s not effective on dental restorations (crowns, veneers, bonding) or intrinsic staining from certain medications. During your consultation, we’ll assess whether Zoom is the right choice and what shade improvement you can realistically expect.
A: Most patients see results 4–8 shades lighter after in-office Zoom. Individual results vary based on the original shade and type of staining.
A: Some patients experience tooth sensitivity during or after treatment — this is temporary and typically resolves within 24–48 hours. We can apply desensitizing gel to minimise this.
A: Whitening doesn’t change the colour of restorations. If you have visible crowns or veneers, we’ll discuss whether whitening is appropriate so we can manage shade matching.
A: Most patients repeat in-office treatment every 1–2 years. Take-home touch-up kits can be used more regularly to maintain results.
A: For the first 24–48 hours after whitening, avoid dark-coloured foods and drinks — coffee, tea, red wine, berries, sauces. Your teeth are more porous immediately after treatment and can absorb staining more easily.
Philips Zoom whitening gives you a noticeably brighter smile in a single visit, but how you care for your teeth afterward determines how long that brightness lasts. Here's what to know before and after treatment.
Zoom whitening brightens your natural, existing enamel, but it won't change the color of existing crowns, veneers, fillings, or bonding, which means those restorations can end up looking different from your newly whitened teeth. It also won't whiten intrinsic discoloration from certain medications or developmental conditions as effectively as it treats surface staining. In these cases, your dentist may recommend veneers or composite bonding instead, which can mask discoloration that whitening alone can't fully address.
Coffee, red wine, tea, and dark sauces are common culprits that gradually re-stain whitened teeth over time.
Swishing water after a staining food or drink reduces how much pigment sits on your teeth.
Take-home touch-up kits can extend your results for months beyond the in-office treatment alone.
Tobacco use is one of the fastest ways to undo whitening results and stain teeth again.
Many patients whiten their teeth first, then address any chips, gaps, or shape concerns with composite bonding matched to their new, brighter shade. If you're considering Invisalign as well, it's often worth completing orthodontic treatment before whitening, since teeth can shift slightly and you'll get the most even result whitening your full smile at once.
Teeth whitening is considered a cosmetic procedure, so it's generally not covered under dental insurance plans or the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), which focus on medically necessary treatment. We don't publish fixed prices online since every smile and treatment goal is different, but we're happy to give you a clear quote at your consultation. See our insurance and financing page for payment options.
Mild, temporary tooth sensitivity is common for a day or two after in-office whitening, and usually fades on its own. Your dentist may recommend a desensitizing gel or toothpaste around your appointment to help minimize this. If sensitivity is a concern for you, mention it before your appointment so we can adjust the approach to keep you comfortable.
Over-the-counter whitening strips and kits use a much lower concentration of whitening agent and aren't customized to your teeth, which is why results tend to be slower, less even, and more modest. In-office Zoom whitening uses a professional-strength gel activated by a specialized light, under direct supervision, which allows for a stronger, more consistent, and more predictable result in a single visit.
| Starting condition | Expected whitening response |
|---|---|
| Yellowish surface staining (coffee, tea, aging) | Typically responds very well to in-office whitening |
| Greyish or brownish intrinsic discoloration | Often responds more modestly; bonding or veneers may achieve a more dramatic change |
| Teeth with existing crowns or veneers on front teeth | Whitening won't change the restoration color; talk to your dentist about matching options |
| Healthy enamel with no active decay | Generally a good candidate for in-office whitening |
Your dentist will assess your specific starting shade and oral health during a quick exam before your whitening appointment, so you know what result to realistically expect before committing to treatment.
Whitening only affects natural enamel, not crowns or veneers, so if those are on visible front teeth, talk to your dentist about how to get an even result across your whole smile.
You can eat normally, but it's best to avoid dark or staining foods and drinks for the first 24 to 48 hours while your enamel is most receptive to staining.
Yes, when performed by a dental professional. The treatment is designed to target surface stains without damaging the underlying tooth structure.
Results vary by person and starting shade, but many patients see several shades of improvement after a single in-office session.
Yes. Many patients use take-home touch-up trays after their in-office treatment to extend and maintain their results over time.
Book your Philips Zoom whitening appointment at our Kitsilano clinic and see the difference in about an hour.
Related services: Veneers · Composite Bonding · Invisalign · Insurance & Financing
