4 Things To Know About Take-Home Teeth Whitening Trays

When patients ask a dentist about options for teeth whitening, many dental offices offer take-home whitening trays as professional treatment for addressing stains on the surface of the teeth. When considering this common teeth bleaching procedure, it helps to understand what the process entails and how long it may take to achieve the desired results.
Understanding teeth whitening trays from a dentist
Similar to other methods used to brighten a person’s smile, take-home trays use a bleaching agent, such as hydrogen or carbamide peroxide, to remove discoloration caused by improper cleaning, certain foods and tobacco use. Continue reading to learn four important facts about this teeth whitening treatment.
1. It takes time to make a custom-fitted tray
When using bleaching trays provided by a dentist, patients are provided with a custom-fitted tray that is designed to fit closely around the teeth. During the initial appointment, impressions of the patient’s mouth are made using a dental putty and then sent to a lab. Over the course of one to two weeks, the lab makes a tray that looks similar to clear aligners or retainers. However, these trays contain extra room for inserting the bleaching solution and are designed to allow the product to reach every part of the tooth without leaking onto the surrounding gums.
2. The treatment process is around two weeks
Most people only need to wear the trays for about an hour a day for a two-week period. However, this will vary depending on the patient’s needs and the type of bleaching product being used. Typically, solutions with a higher concentration of peroxide are faster-acting but need to be worn on the teeth for a shorter period of time. Patients can stop wearing the trays after reaching the desired shade of whiteness.
3. It is essential to follow the instructions
Unlike an in-office bleaching session, patients who choose take-home teeth whitening trays apply the solution themselves. The dentist will provide specific instructions on how to prep the teeth, how to insert the solution onto the trays, how long to wear the trays and how to clean the teeth after. In order to effectively whiten the teeth and prevent unnecessary pain or damage, it is important that the patient does not skip any steps or leave the solution on for a longer period of time than directed.
4. The results vary for each patient
While many people assume that a whitening treatment always ends with perfect, bright white teeth, that is not the case for every patient. Bleaching is often effective for addressing extrinsic stains that build up over time due to a person’s diet, but intrinsic discoloration due to genetics, medication or trauma may not be remedied using normal teeth whitening methods.
Conclusion
Take-home teeth whitening trays can be a good solution for patients with yellow stains on the outside of the teeth who want to brighten their smile at home with the help of a dentist. By using a custom-fitted tray, patients can see results in a shorter time period and prevent gum irritation.
Are you considering teeth whitening in the Evans area? Get more information at https://www.belairdentalassociates.com.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Recent Posts
There are many benefits to choosing clear aligners for your orthodontic treatment. But it is crucial to take proper care of them to avoid a wide range of problems. Clear aligners are ideal for individuals who want a discreet way to straighten their teeth. The aligners are also removable, which is convenient when it comes…
You may have heard about clear aligners as a different way to treat a variety of orthodontic and cosmetic concerns. Your dentist can examine you to determine whether you are a good candidate for this treatment. You may worry about whether this different method will have negative effects on your teeth. The good news is…
You may have heard of Invisalign® but perhaps you do not quite understand what makes it stand out from traditional braces. Each straightening tool uses different methods to move teeth into more aesthetically pleasing positions.The goal of traditional braces is to correct crooked teeth and jaw or bite issues. Many dental patients seek this corrective…
Patients interested in a better smile might want to try clear aligners. These are clear trays that are made from a resin material, which gets shaped to the teeth. These offer a discreet method of getting a better smile. Keep reading to learn more about clear aligners.The dentist will decide how to move the patient’s…