What Are Teeth Bleaching Trays?

A teeth bleaching tray is something that is needed in order to undertake teeth whitening procedures. The tray is used by having whitening gel placed inside, so it acts as a container for the gel, which is then placed in the mouth and makes contact with the teeth. Saliva is unable to wash away when a teeth bleaching tray is in the mouth.

It is advised to place only a small thin amount of whitening gel onto the inside part of the tray when using the mouthpiece tray.  This part then makes contact with the teeth. The whitening gel will then be distributed evenly onto the teeth when the tray is placed inside the mouth. It may take several applications before you are aware of the correct quantity of gel needed for the application on the bleaching tray.  It is important to remember that the whitening gel should only make contact with the teeth and not the gums.

Two different types of teeth bleaching trays are available, these are Customized and Standard.

Customized

The customized tray is much more comfortable due to the perfect fit to a dental patients’ mouth.  This tray is very similar to a teeth guard.  They are made in dental laboratories from an impression that is taken of your teeth.  They are made from very soft materials which firmly cover all of the teeth when whitening gel is applied. They are also effective because they prevent the chemical from reaching the gums, which is highly important as whitening gels contain hydrogen peroxide that can in effect cause gum ulcers.

Standard

Standard these trays are not as comfortable. They are usually included in teeth whitening kits which can be purchased over-the-counter, along with a tube of bleaching gel. The process of application is very much similar. The mouthpiece tray has whitening gel applied to it and then placed inside the mouth for at least thirty minutes. The disadvantage of using a standard bleaching tray is that it is not designed for the individual patient, therefore not fitting the mouth of the individual in the correct way, which ultimately means that the patient is not receiving coverage of all of the teeth that need to be bleached.  Aside from this, the whitening gel partially touches the gums which causes harm to them.

Therefore, results show that customized teeth bleaching trays are more effective for use when whitening your teeth. They are not only better fitting, but they are made by a licensed dentist and the same type of bleaching trays are used for the process of laser teeth whitening. Because the procedure is performed by a licensed dentist, then the professional laser teeth whitening is better recommended.  Dental patients can sit back and relax with the knowledge that the process is more effective and safer for them than using an over-the-counter bleaching kit.

Dentists do not typically recommend of over-the-counter bleaching kits.  The public are advised to ensure that these products have the relevant approval of the American Dental Association (ADA) before considering to purchase or use them. 

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