Tray Teeth Whitening

What is it?
Tray whitening (Home whitening or Custom Tray whitening) is a bleaching process that lightens discoloration of enamel and dentine. The system uses a mild solution retained in a custom-fitted tray that is worn over your teeth. 

The 2-Step Process
During your first visit, impressions will be taken of your
teeth. This will allow your dentist to make a custom gel
holding appliance, called a whitening tray.
At your second visit, you will receive your whitening trays and a complete kit with detailed instructions to start whitening your teeth straight away.
 
Why Custom trays?
Custom trays are made to fit your mouth precisely and cannot fit in someone else's mouth. This ensures a snug fit to bring the whitening gel in close contact with your teeth.
Other over-the-counter/ boil and bite or standard trays do not fit your teeth properly and allow for saliva to leak in, creating a diluting effect on the gel. It further cause the gel to leak out and getting it on your gums causing burning and bruising of the tissues.


How does it work?
The gel is placed in the thin bleaching tray(custom tray) that fits over your teeth. As hydrogen/ Carbamide peroxide, the active ingredient in the gel, is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentine and bleaches the colour substances. Only the tooth colour is made lighter while the structure of the tooth is unchanged.


How long does it take?
Results are often seen after the first application. Ideally the trays are worn according to the whitening gel's manufacturer's instructions and this could vary between day time(usually 2X daily for 30 minutes) or at night. (sleep with the trays in the mouth)

Ideal results usually takes 10-14 days depending on the frequency of wear time and biological make up of the teeth. Some teeth are more resistant to whitening and could be more difficult to achieve optimum results. We have find that for best results 21 days is a great bench mark.

Why is tray whitening so popular?
Tray whitening is a gentle whitening and side effects such as tooth sensitivity is minimal comparing to in-office whitening. A weaker whitening concentration is placed in the trays that the patient can take home without fear of any major complications comparing to stronger gels that are used with in-office whitening.

Very little dentist chair time is needed that makes this a very affordable way of whitening.

Finally, and almost the most attractive feature is that the trays can be kept at home and used later on to do 'touch-ups' if needed.
Our teeth are under constant attack by coffee, tea, smoking and every day life that wear away at a new white smile. Although some people may never have to whiten their teeth again, most of us would need some form of 'touch-up' now and again to keep our teeth looking white! 

To view the 3 options we have in tray whitening, please click here.