Philips Zoom is one of the best-known names in professional teeth whitening and promises a noticeably brighter smile in a one-hour dentist appointment. But as someone who’s tested (and always been impressed by) at-home whitening treatments, which rarely cost more than £150 (some cost less than £10), I wondered whether a £850 in-clinic appointment could really be worth it. In a bid to find out, I went to the Chelsea Dental Clinic to try Philips Zoom myself.
The appointment starts with a quick clean if there’s any plaque or build-up, followed by a 3D scan of your teeth to create personalised trays for the at-home part of the treatment. Your lips and gums are then protected before whitening gel is applied and activated with a blue LED light. The one-hour appointment can involve up to four 15-minute sessions, with fresh gel applied between each, although you may need fewer depending on your starting shade. Afterwards, a desensitising gel is applied before you’re shown how to use the take-home trays and syringes for future top-ups.
