What to expect
Professional take-home whitening kits are a highly effective, safe, and customizable way to brighten your smile under the supervision of your dentist. Unlike over-the-counter strips, these kits use custom-fitted trays and professional-strength gel to ensure even results and maximum comfort.
1The Consultation and Assessment
The process begins with a quick checkup. The dentist will examine your teeth and gums to ensure they are healthy enough for whitening. They will also look at any existing dental work, like crowns or fillings, as these materials do not change color with whitening gel. This ensures your final result looks natural and uniform.
2Creating Your Custom Trays
To make your whitening trays, we need an exact "map" of your teeth. The Impression: The dentist will take an impression of your upper and lower teeth. This is often done with a soft, putty-like material or a digital scanner.
- The Model: This impression is used to create a precise stone or digital model of your mouth.
- The Fabrication: A thin, clear, medical-grade plastic is heated and vacuum-sealed over your model. Once it cools, the dentist trims it perfectly to follow your gum line. This custom fit is vital because it keeps the whitening gel on your teeth and away from your sensitive gums.
3Your Fitting and Instructions
Once your trays are ready, you will return to the office for a fitting. The dentist will ensure the trays are comfortable and show you how to apply the professional whitening gel. You only need a small "tear-drop" amount of gel in the front-facing part of each tooth space in the tray.
4The Whitening
Process at Home You are in control of the pace. Most people wear their trays for 30 to 60 minutes once a day, or sometimes overnight, depending on the strength of the gel provided. Consistency: For the best results, you typically wear the trays daily for about one to two weeks. Clean-up: After each session, you simply rinse the trays with cool water and brush your teeth to remove any remaining gel.
5Managing Sensitivity
Because the trays are custom-made by the dentist, sensitivity is usually minimal. However, if your teeth feel a bit "zingy," you can simply skip a day or use a desensitizing toothpaste.
6Long-Term Maintenance
The best part of custom trays is that they are yours to keep. If you notice your smile getting a bit dull after a few months of coffee or tea, you can simply purchase a "refill" tube of gel from our office and do a quick touch-up.