Teeth Whitening Products

Teeth Whitening At Home

What is Professional Teeth Whitening At Home?

Also known as “tray bleaching,” at-home professional teeth whitening is one of the most popular methods of achieving a brighter smile. Professional at-home teeth whitening requires custom-made trays, and professionally dispensed teeth whitening gel you can only purchase through a licensed dentist. This method usually costs around £250 - £350, and whitens your teeth about 6-8 shades. [1]

The whitening gel is placed in custom-fitted trays that fit perfectly over your teeth. As the peroxide in the gel breaks down, hydroxyradicals enter the tooth to naturally whiten the stains. Unlike strips, this process whitens all your teeth and provides maximum comfort with less sensitivity and gum irritation.

[1] Menage Bernie, RDH and Fehrenbach, RDH, MS Dental Hygiene. Get the Facts on Tooth Whitening, ADHA.org,. 2005 www.adha.org/downloads/tooth_whitening_factsheet.pdf

What Steps Are Involved with Tray Teeth Whitening?

Steps:

Step 1: Custom Bleaching Trays
The first step in professional at-home teeth whitening is to have your dentist take an impression of your teeth. Using this impression, your dentist will create custom bleaching trays that fit perfectly over your teeth. Bleaching trays are similar to a custom made mouth guard, though they are much thinner.

Step 2: Teeth Whitening Gel Syringes
The whitening gel usually comes in a syringe-shaped delivery device. You place a drop or two of gel in each of the tooth impressions in your tray. The tray then snaps into place over your teeth. Because the trays are custom-fitted, the bleach is held in place over the tooth, while staying out of contact with the gums and other soft tissues of the mouth.

Step 3: Wearing Your Teeth Whitening Trays
Some patients elect to wear their teeth whitening trays overnight, while others prefer to whiten for shorter periods during the day. Since each patient is different, every individual should consult their dentist and/or follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper use. The total protocol may range from around 5 days to 14 days. This could be longer or shorter depending on the “strength” of the particular formula or system you use and your current starting shade. The length of time the trays are worn each day may also vary. Many “day-time” products direct patients to wear the trays anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes a day, twice a day. Overnight products recommend a minimum of 4 to 6 hours. Once again this will vary. See our Time to Whiteness Chart for more information.

When it’s time to remove the custom bleaching trays, you simply slide them off of your teeth, and rinse any remaining teeth whitening gel from your mouth.

Teeth Whitening At-Home - Advantages and Disadvantages

The benefits of home teeth whitening are generally a matter of discretion and comfort.

• The following are some specific benefits of custom tray teeth whitening:
• Custom trays fight tightly over your teeth, greatly reducing the possibility of the peroxide gel coming into contact with your gums (less irritation)
• Custom trays allow all of your natural teeth to whiten, not just the front 6 upper and lower teeth. People with wider smiles appreciate this benefit.
• If you experience sensitivity you can adjust for this by simply wearing the trays either less frequently or for a shorter period each time.
• Home bleaching methods are extremely effective and are an excellent, cost-effective way for a person to achieve the goal of whiter teeth.

With any type of home treatment, there is no direct supervision from professionals and the patient is responsible for following the directions correctly. Failure to follow the directions could result in damage or harm.

Teeth Whitening At-Home - Costs & Results

Cost & Results

Custom fitted trays and whitening gel usually cost between £199 - £399. Like other professional whitening options, professional at-home teeth whitening can get your teeth several shades whiter. Results will vary based on your starting shade and the condition of your teeth. Studies have shown that professionally dispensed at-home teeth whitening products are extremely effective, with participants’ teeth lightening an average of 8 shades. [1]

[1] Pohjola, Randall M. DDS. Sensitivity and Tooth Whitening Agents. Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry. Volume 14 Issue 2, Pages 85 - 91. http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/119928144/abstract

At Home Teeth Whitening Side Effects

Side Effects

Some people may experience increased tooth sensitivity during treatment. If you’re prone to hypersensitivity, you can decrease the “wear-time” per day and increase the number of days. It is best to talk to your dentist about sensitivity. There are many over-the-counter and prescription methods for reducing sensitivity.

Reviews: Best At-Home Teeth Whitening Systems & Products

Professional At-Home Teeth Whitening Treatment Systems

DayWhite ACP
With short daily wear protocols, DayWhite ACP is ideal for patients who are uncomfortable with overnight tray wear or brux. DayWhite ACP combines our exclusive use of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP), potassium nitrate and fluoride to help reduce sensitivity, rebuild enamel, add luster and reduce fadeback[1].

Available in 7.5% HP, 9.5% HP and 38% CP

For even faster results, give your patients DayWhite ACP 38% with a wear protocol of just 15 minutes, twice a day!

[1]Clinical data on file.

NiteWhite ACP
NiteWhite ACP is recommended for patients who prefer the convenience of whitening while they sleep. It is the first take-home whitener to combine amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP), potassium nitrate and fluoride for enhanced whitening results. This unique formula is clinically proven to reduce sensitivity, rebuild enamel, add luster and reduce fadeback[1]

Available in 10% CP, 16% CP, 22% CP and 6% HP

For faster results, try NiteWhite ACP Turbo for an average of 6 shades in 3 nights[1]! The 6% hydrogen peroxide gel has a patented activation matrix that extends release of peroxide, allowing for overnight wear.

[1]Clinical data on file.

Opalescence Whitening Gels
Opalescence Take Home Teeth Whitening Gels are sold in 10%, 10%PF, 15%PF, 20%PF, and 35%PF carbamide peroxide concentrations. Opalescence Whitening Gels can provide results after just one night, though expect to see results in about a week. [1]

These Take Home Teeth Whitening Gels require a customised bleaching tray. Dentists create these trays from impressions taken of your teeth. The custom-tray delivery method enhances the effectiveness of Opalescence take-home teeth whitening gels. These gels come in five formulations and three flavors (mint, melon and regular). (Compare with NiteWhite ACP.)

Pola Night
Also requiring custom trays, Pola Night is worn overnight while you are sleeping. You can wear the trays with Pola Night inside them overnight , or for less than an hour a day if you prefer, supposing that your doctor supplies a strong enough concentration of gel. Compare with NiteWhite ACP.

Pola Day
Your dental professional makes custom fitted trays to allow you to whiten your smile at home with daytime wear. Daily weartimes are about 30 minutes/day depending on the concentration of the gel you use, and the advice of your dental professional. You repeat this procedure for about 5 - 10 days depending on the advice of your dental professional.

Meta Tray
Meta tray is a professionally dispensed teeth whitening system that uses pre-treated hydrogen peroxide strips placed in a non-custom fitted tray. The apparatus is then plugged in to an electrical source, and a light within the tray activates the gel. The tray is used for 40 minutes per day, with 20 minutes for each for upper and lower teeth.

[1] "Opalescence Take-Home Whitening Gels.” Opalescence Official Site. Web. 15 Mar. 2010. http://www.opalescence.com/takehome.php

Buyer Beware

With so many teeth whitening products and claims and advertisements on the web, it's no surprise that many of us are confused about the effectiveness, safety, and cost of teeth whitening procedures.

Your best bet is always to talk to your dentist or hygienist about teeth whitening before you start. They can tell you if you are a good candidate for teeth whitening, let you know what options you have, and help you put together the plan that's right for you.

In the meantime, teeth whitening has become a popular procedure for scam artists to try to make a quick buck online by tricking people into purchasing products that don't work, or even worse, aren't safe for your teeth.

We just came across this excellent report by the Better Business Bureau. The BBB names a number of the scam artists, along with an overview of the ads and techniques scammers use to cheat you out of your money (not to mention a whiter smile.)

It's a quick read and a really helpful article for people interested in whitening their teeth.

If you don't feel like reading, you can also view the Better Business Bureau's video about Teeth Whitening Scams here.