At A Dental Place, we understand the desire for a brighter, more confident smile. Custom dental whitening trays offer a professional and effective solution for teeth whitening at home.
Unlike over-the-counter options, these trays are tailored to fit your unique dental structure, ensuring optimal results and comfort. In this post, we’ll guide you through the process of getting custom dental whitening trays and how to use them effectively.
What Are Custom Dental Whitening Trays?
Definition and Purpose
Custom dental whitening trays are personalized dental appliances that fit your teeth perfectly. A dental professional creates these trays based on impressions of your mouth. The trays hold whitening gel against your teeth for extended periods, which allows for more effective and even whitening.
Superior Fit and Coverage
Custom trays offer better coverage and fit compared to over-the-counter options. They mold to the exact contours of your teeth, which ensures that the whitening gel stays in place and doesn’t leak onto your gums. This precise fit reduces the risk of gum irritation and maximizes contact between the whitening agent and your tooth enamel.
High-Quality Materials
Dental professionals use high-quality, flexible plastic materials to create custom whitening trays. These materials offer both durability and comfort. The trays are thin enough for comfort yet sturdy enough to last for multiple whitening treatments. With proper care, custom trays can last for years, which makes them a cost-effective choice in the long run.
Professional-Grade Results
Custom trays allow the use of stronger whitening agents than those available in over-the-counter products. This means you can achieve more noticeable results in a shorter time frame. A study published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry evaluated the effectiveness of three carbamide peroxide concentrations used for tooth bleaching treatments.
Personalized Treatment Plans
When you choose custom whitening trays, you receive more than just a product – you get a personalized treatment plan. Your dentist will evaluate your oral health and the dimensions of your mouth before forming a fully customized tray to make your teeth the perfect shade of white.
Now that you understand what custom dental whitening trays are and their benefits, let’s explore the process of obtaining these trays from a dental professional.
How Do Dentists Create Custom Whitening Trays?
The Initial Consultation
The journey to a brighter smile starts with a comprehensive dental examination. A dentist assesses your oral health, discusses your whitening goals, and determines if you’re a suitable candidate for custom whitening trays. This step identifies any underlying dental issues that might affect the whitening process or require treatment beforehand.
Taking Precise Dental Impressions
After establishing that custom whitening trays are right for you, the dentist takes impressions of your teeth. This process typically takes about 10-15 minutes and involves using a putty-like material to create an exact mold of your upper and lower teeth. These impressions serve as the blueprint for your custom trays, ensuring a perfect fit.
Crafting Your Custom Trays
With your dental impressions in hand, skilled technicians start the crafting process. They use high-quality, flexible plastic materials to carefully shape your custom whitening trays. This process usually takes about a week, during which time the trays are meticulously formed to match the contours of your teeth. Custom-fitted trays are used to apply professional-strength bleaching gel for at-home whitening.
Fitting and Fine-Tuning
When your custom trays are ready, you return to the dental office for a fitting appointment. The dentist has you try on the trays to ensure they fit comfortably and securely. If any adjustments are needed, they can often make them on the spot. This step guarantees that the trays will function as intended, providing even coverage and minimizing the risk of gel leakage.
During this appointment, the dentist also provides detailed instructions on how to use your custom whitening trays effectively. They demonstrate the proper amount of whitening gel to use (usually a small drop per tooth), how to insert and remove the trays, and discuss the recommended wearing schedule based on your specific whitening needs.
The process of getting custom whitening trays might seem more involved than grabbing an over-the-counter kit, but the results can be significant. Custom-fitted trays are a common approach for at-home whitening with professional-strength bleaching gel.
Now that you understand how dentists create custom whitening trays, let’s explore how to use and maintain these trays for optimal results.
How to Use Your Custom Whitening Trays
Applying Whitening Gel
Thoroughly brush your teeth to remove any debris before you start. Place a small amount of whitening gel in each tooth impression of the tray (typically a drop about the size of a grain of rice is sufficient). Do not overfill, as excess gel can irritate your gums. Insert the tray gently over your teeth, and wipe away any gel that seeps out onto your gums.
Wearing Schedule
Follow your dentist’s instructions for optimal results. Professional-strength gels typically require 2 to 4 hours of wear time per day or overnight use. Stick to your recommended schedule for the prescribed duration (usually 1-2 weeks). A study found that both professional and over-the-counter whitening treatments showed significant improvement in tooth shade, with color improvement continuing over 6 weeks.
Cleaning and Storage
After each use, rinse your trays with cool water and brush them gently with a soft toothbrush. Do not use hot water, as it can warp the plastic. Dry the trays with a clean towel and store them in their case. Keep them away from heat sources and direct sunlight to prevent damage.
For a deep clean, use a non-abrasive denture cleaner once a week. This removes any buildup and keeps your trays fresh. Never use toothpaste to clean your trays (it can be too abrasive and create micro-scratches that harbor bacteria).
Tray Longevity and Replacement
With proper care, custom whitening trays can last for several years. However, you may need replacement if you notice changes in your dental structure, such as new fillings or crowns. Additionally, if the trays become discolored, damaged, or lose their snug fit, it’s time for a replacement.
Try to have your trays checked annually during your regular dental visit. This allows your dentist to assess their condition and ensure they still provide the best possible whitening results.
Custom trays offer superior fit and more effective whitening compared to over-the-counter products. Custom whitening gels are generally more effective than over-the-counter products due to higher concentrations of bleaching agents.
Final Thoughts
Custom dental whitening trays provide a superior solution for achieving a brighter, more confident smile. These personalized appliances ensure optimal contact between the whitening gel and your teeth while minimizing gum irritation. Professional-grade materials and stronger whitening agents lead to more effective and longer-lasting results compared to over-the-counter alternatives.
A dentist’s expertise proves essential in the teeth whitening process. They address underlying dental issues, recommend suitable whitening concentrations, and provide personalized treatment plans for the best possible outcome. At A Dental Place, we offer comprehensive dental services, including custom dental whitening trays (led by Dr. Robin Castro).
We combine cutting-edge technology with personalized care to deliver exceptional results. Our team prioritizes your comfort and satisfaction throughout the whitening process. Contact us today for a personalized whitening solution and experience the difference of professional care for your unique smile.
