Zoom is Philips' in-chair power-whitening system, which uses a peroxide gel activated by a light to lift the shade of natural teeth in a single appointment. Used alone its results fade; the lasting outcome comes from combining an in-chair session with custom take-home trays. At Dental & Wellness London our combined whitening protocol is £780, assessed and supervised by a dentist as the dental procedure it legally is.
The myth the Zoom adverts lean on
Zoom marketing sells a one-hour transformation — in and out with a dramatically whiter smile. The in-chair change is real and immediate, but taken alone it tends to relapse faster than most patients expect, often within weeks. The lasting result comes from pairing the in-chair boost with a custom take-home phase, not from the light alone. For a side-by-side view, see our comparison of Zoom and home whitening.
How Zoom actually works
A high-concentration peroxide gel is applied to the teeth after the gums are isolated and protected. A blue LED light accelerates the chemical breakdown of the gel, which lifts stain from within the enamel and dentine. The whole in-chair session typically takes 60-90 minutes, with the gel applied in several cycles.
Why we don't recommend it alone
Zoom's in-chair result is genuinely dramatic on the day, but the change is driven largely by dehydration of the tooth surface as well as the peroxide effect, and some of that initial brightness settles back within the first one to two weeks. Pairing the session with custom take-home trays and Opalescence gel drives the shade deeper and locks in a more stable result — the same combined-whitening principle that runs through every whitening protocol we offer.
What it costs
Our combined whitening protocol — in-chair Zoom session plus custom trays and take-home gel — is £780. This includes bespoke trays, professional gel, and dentist supervision throughout, which UK law requires for any peroxide whitening above 0.1%. Whitening is only provided after a dental examination (£65) confirms a fit, clean and healthy mouth; the examination is not included in the whitening price.
Frequently asked questions
Is Zoom whitening painful? Some patients notice temporary sensitivity during or shortly after the session; it usually settles within a day or two.
How long does a Zoom result last? On its own, the boost can fade within weeks; combined with take-home trays, the result holds far longer with occasional top-ups.
Can I have Zoom without the take-home trays? Yes, but we recommend against it for most patients, since the standalone result is the least stable option.
Book a consultation
Your first step is a dental examination (£65). Call 020 8127 4567 or WhatsApp +44 7974 910222. 222 Essex Road, Islington, London N1 3AP.
Reviewed by Dr Vishal Patel · BDS (Liverpool), MSc Aesthetic & Restorative Dentistry (Manchester), AACD member · GDC 103127. Last reviewed 5 June 2026.
