Professional teeth whitening is faster, more effective, and longer lasting that treatments you find over the counter. As we age, our teeth darken over time. We can brighten your teeth by five to ten shades, but maintaining good oral hygiene and steering away from certain foods and beverages will help keep any future whitening services to a minimum.
CUSTOM WHITENING
With a dentist-dispensed system, the type of bleaching trays that are worn are called "custom" trays. That's because they're fabricated specifically for the person who will wear them. Here's how they're made:
Procedure:
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An upper and lower impression is taken of the patient’s teeth and surrounding gum tissue.
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A dental technician then uses the impressions to make plaster models of the patient’s mouth.
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The trays are then vacuum-molded directly on these models, thus insuring a custom fit.
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They’re made out of a soft, flexible clear plastic.
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One tray is made for the upper teeth and a separate one for the lowers.
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They’re trimmed so they fully cover over each tooth but come just short of the gum tissue.
Overall, the design of a custom tray helps to maximize the whitener’s effectiveness and minimize the process’ potential for creating side effects.