Teeth whitening is one of the hottest cosmetic dental procedures today. With so many take-home products and chairside options, choosing the one that’s right for you can seem like a daunting task.

To start, it’s important to choose a teeth whitening system that’s proven to be safe and effective. Look for the ADA stamp of approval. And if your teeth are sensitive, you should also consider a product that’s gentle or made especially for sensitive teeth.

Other things to look for in a teeth whitening system include:

- How fast it works
- How convenient the product is
- How long it lasts

The Zoom! whitening system, as shown on ABC’s show, "Extreme Makeover," is a good example of a product that ranks high in all of these areas. Zoom! has been proven to make your teeth about eight shades whiter in as little as 45 minutes, and the results are long-lasting.

Unlike take-home whitening products, Zoom! is a chairside whitening treatment, which means that you can only get it in your dentist’s office. Treatment is straightforward: Your dentist will apply the Zoom! whitening gel to your teeth and then use a specially designed light to accelerate the whitening process.

There are three Zoom! whitening systems to choose from, each designed for maximum results in a short period of time: Zoom!, Zoom2! and Zoom! Weekender.

So is Zoom! right for you? Zoom! may be the ideal choice for teeth whitening if time is of the essence and you want to avoid using the mouth trays usually available in take-home products. Additionally, if your teeth are sensitive, you might prefer Zoom! over other whitening systems; clinical studies have also shown that Zoom! is safe on your enamel and causes little to no sensitivity.

As with every dental treatment, a qualified dentist can advise you as to what the best options are for you.