Professional Teeth Whitening
Philips Zoom & Smyle in-office whitening at North Shore Dental Group in Manhasset, NY
Professional teeth whitening is the fastest, safest way to dramatically brighten your smile. At North Shore Dental Group, we offer two industry-leading in-office whitening systems — Philips Zoom and Smyle — along with custom take-home trays for ongoing maintenance. Whether you want to look your best for a special event or simply want to reverse years of staining, our team will help you achieve a noticeably whiter smile in a single appointment.
Compare Systems
Both Philips Zoom and Smyle are professional-grade, in-office whitening systems that deliver results far beyond anything available over the counter. The best choice depends on your sensitivity level, desired results, and how much time you have. Here is how they compare.
Maximum whitening power with LED light activation
Best for: Patients who want the most dramatic results possible in a single visit and are looking for the industry-leading whitening system.
Fast, comfortable whitening with a gentler formula
Best for: Patients with sensitive teeth, those short on time, or anyone who prefers a gentler whitening experience with minimal discomfort.
| Feature | Philips Zoom | Smyle |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment Time | 45 minutes | 30 minutes |
| Whitening Potential | Up to 8 shades | Up to 6 shades |
| Light Activation | ✓ LED WhiteSpeed | No light required |
| Sensitivity Level | Moderate (manageable) | Low (reduced formula) |
| Ideal Candidate | Maximum results seekers | Sensitive teeth / busy schedules |
| Number of Gel Applications | 3–4 cycles per session | 2–3 cycles per session |
| Take-Home Trays Available | ✓ | ✓ |
Your Visit
Your whitening appointment at North Shore Dental Group is designed to be comfortable, efficient, and thorough. From start to finish, the entire process takes about 60 to 90 minutes, including preparation and post-treatment care. Here is a step-by-step overview of what happens during a typical in-office whitening session.
Before treatment begins, your dentist will evaluate your current tooth shade using a professional shade guide. This establishes a baseline so you can clearly see the improvement after whitening. We will also discuss your whitening goals and set realistic expectations based on your natural tooth color and the type of staining present.
Your comfort and safety are paramount. We carefully apply a protective barrier to your gums, lips, and other soft tissues to shield them from the whitening gel. This liquid dam hardens to form a precise seal around the gum line, ensuring the whitening agent contacts only your tooth surfaces.
The professional-strength hydrogen peroxide whitening gel is carefully applied to the front surfaces of your visible teeth. The gel penetrates the enamel to break down deep-set stains caused by coffee, tea, wine, tobacco, aging, and other discoloring agents. Multiple cycles of gel application are performed during the session for optimal results.
If you chose Philips Zoom whitening, the LED WhiteSpeed lamp is positioned over your teeth to accelerate the whitening process. The light activates the hydrogen peroxide in the gel, helping it break down stains more quickly and effectively. Each light cycle lasts approximately 15 minutes, with three to four cycles performed per session. If you chose Smyle, this step is not needed — the advanced gel formula works without light activation.
After the final whitening cycle, the gel and protective barriers are removed. Your dentist will compare your new shade against the baseline measurement taken at the start of your appointment. Most patients see an improvement of four to eight shades. We will take time to review the results with you and ensure you are delighted with your new smile.
Before you leave, we provide detailed aftercare instructions to help you maintain your results. For the first 48 hours, we recommend avoiding deeply pigmented foods and beverages such as coffee, red wine, berries, and tomato sauce. We may also provide a desensitizing gel or recommend a sensitivity-reducing toothpaste. If you opted for custom take-home trays, we will review proper usage and gel application techniques.
Long-Lasting Results
Professional teeth whitening results typically last between 6 months and 2 years, depending on your habits and maintenance routine. Understanding what affects longevity helps you keep your smile bright for as long as possible.
With proper care, most patients enjoy their whitening results for 6 to 24 months. In-office treatments like Philips Zoom tend to produce longer-lasting results because the higher-concentration gel penetrates more deeply into the enamel. Patients who combine in-office whitening with periodic take-home tray touch-ups often maintain their results for the longest duration. Your individual timeline will depend on your oral hygiene habits, diet, and whether you use tobacco products.
Certain foods, beverages, and habits can accelerate the return of tooth discoloration after whitening. Coffee, tea, red wine, cola, berries, soy sauce, and tomato-based sauces are common staining culprits. Tobacco use — whether smoking or chewing — is one of the most significant causes of re-staining. Poor oral hygiene, including infrequent brushing and skipping professional cleanings, also allows surface stains to rebuild more quickly.
Custom take-home trays make touch-ups simple and affordable. Most patients benefit from a brief touch-up course every 3 to 6 months, using their existing custom trays with a professional-grade gel refill. Touch-ups typically require only 2 to 4 days of tray wear to restore your smile to its post-treatment brightness. We will recommend a personalized maintenance schedule based on your specific needs and staining patterns.
Regular professional dental cleanings play a significant role in maintaining whitening results. During a cleaning, our hygienists remove surface stains, plaque, and tartar that can dull the appearance of your teeth over time. We recommend professional cleanings every six months to keep your smile looking its best. A clean tooth surface also means any future whitening treatments will be more effective.
Is It Right for You?
Professional teeth whitening is an excellent option for most adults who want a brighter smile. However, it is not suitable for everyone. During your consultation, we will evaluate your oral health, discuss your goals, and recommend the best approach for your unique situation.
Our consult-first approach: At North Shore Dental Group, we always begin with a thorough evaluation before recommending any whitening treatment. If whitening is not the best option for your specific situation, we will discuss alternatives such as porcelain veneers, dental bonding, or other cosmetic dentistry solutions that may better address your concerns. Your satisfaction and safety always come first.
Common Questions
We want you to feel fully informed before your whitening treatment. Below are answers to the questions we hear most often from patients considering professional teeth whitening at North Shore Dental Group.
Professional teeth whitening pricing at North Shore Dental Group depends on the treatment option you select. Philips Zoom in-office whitening and Smyle in-office whitening are each competitively priced for the Manhasset area. Custom take-home whitening trays are available at a lower price point. We recommend scheduling a consultation so we can assess your needs and provide a specific quote. Many patients find that professional whitening is a better investment than repeated purchases of over-the-counter strips and kits that deliver less impressive results. Please call or text us at (516) 627-3535 for current pricing.
Professional teeth whitening results typically last between 6 months and 2 years, depending on your dietary habits, oral hygiene routine, and lifestyle factors. Patients who avoid heavy staining from coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco — and who maintain diligent brushing and flossing habits — tend to enjoy the longest-lasting results. Custom take-home trays with periodic gel touch-ups can extend your results significantly. We provide personalized aftercare instructions and a maintenance plan to help you keep your smile bright.
Most patients experience little to no discomfort during professional teeth whitening. Some temporary tooth sensitivity may occur during or shortly after treatment, which typically resolves within 24 to 48 hours. At North Shore Dental Group, we take several precautions to minimize sensitivity: we apply a protective barrier to your gums, monitor your comfort throughout the procedure, and can adjust treatment intensity as needed. For patients with known sensitivity concerns, we recommend the Smyle whitening system, which features a reduced-sensitivity formula specifically designed for comfortable treatment.
Philips Zoom and Smyle are both professional in-office whitening systems, but they differ in several key ways. Philips Zoom uses LED light activation during a 45-minute session and can whiten teeth up to 8 shades — it is the industry gold standard for maximum results. Smyle uses a reduced-sensitivity formula and completes treatment in about 30 minutes, making it ideal for patients with sensitive teeth or those who prefer a shorter appointment. Both systems deliver professional-grade results that far surpass anything available over the counter. During your consultation, we will help you determine which system is the best match for your needs.
Yes, patients with sensitive teeth can absolutely benefit from professional whitening. We offer the Smyle whitening system, which is specifically formulated with a reduced-sensitivity formula for patients prone to tooth sensitivity. We also apply a protective gum barrier during treatment and can adjust parameters to your comfort level. Additionally, we may recommend using a desensitizing toothpaste containing potassium nitrate for two weeks before your appointment to further minimize any potential sensitivity. Many patients with sensitivity concerns are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable professional whitening can be with the right approach.
Professional whitening delivers significantly superior results compared to over-the-counter products. In-office treatments use higher-concentration whitening agents available only through dental professionals, achieving results of 4 to 8 shades whiter in a single visit. Over-the-counter strips, trays, and toothpastes use lower concentrations and typically require weeks of daily use for modest improvements. Professional whitening is also safer because your dentist supervises the entire process, protects your gums, and addresses any concerns in real time. Custom take-home trays from your dentist outperform store-bought versions because they are molded precisely to your teeth, ensuring even gel distribution and reducing gum irritation.
Results vary based on your natural tooth color, the type and severity of staining, and the whitening system used. Most patients achieve results of 4 to 8 shades whiter with in-office Philips Zoom whitening. Smyle whitening also produces noticeable improvement, typically in the range of 4 to 6 shades. Teeth with yellow or brown staining from food, beverages, or tobacco tend to respond best. Gray or blue-gray staining from certain medications or dental trauma may respond less dramatically. During your consultation, we will assess your current shade and provide realistic expectations tailored to your specific situation.
For in-office professional whitening, we generally recommend treatments no more than once every 6 to 12 months. Over-whitening can lead to increased sensitivity and a translucent appearance, so it is important to follow your dentist’s guidance. Custom take-home trays can be used for shorter touch-up courses every few months as needed — typically just 2 to 4 days of wear. At North Shore Dental Group, we will create a personalized maintenance plan that keeps your smile looking its best without risking enamel damage or excessive sensitivity.
Get Started
Whether you are choosing between Philips Zoom and Smyle, or you simply want to explore your whitening options, our team at North Shore Dental Group is here to help. Schedule your whitening consultation today and take the first step toward the smile you have always wanted.