4 Things to Know About Dental Office Take-Home Teeth Whitening Trays - Smiles by Design, PC Huntsville Alabama (2024)

FAQs

Are dentist whitening trays worth it? ›

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry endorses the use of custom-fit teeth whitening trays crafted by dentists as they really are that much safer than other options. There is no risk of tooth-whitening gel moving on out of trays that do not properly fit your mouth.

While at-home whitening kits do not whiten teeth as fast as professional whitening treatments, most patients will achieve their desired shade of white in as little as two to three weeks. Over-the-counter teeth whitening products can take up to six weeks before producing any noticeable results.

The average teeth whitening session done by a dentist takes no more than 90 minutes. Follow-up sessions might be needed to reach the desired shade of white. However, with take-home teeth whitening trays, the patient should expect to do 5-6 sessions for 60 minutes over the course of 2 to 3 weeks.

Professional teeth whitening uses a more effective process

This means that the hydrogen peroxide content of your at-home kit is very low, whether you are using toothpaste, liquid filled trays, or strips. Dr. Yalamanchili is able to use a stronger process in her office, typically approved for use by dentists only.

Whitening products such as Crest Whitestrips use Advanced Seal technology to keep the strips in place so you can continue your regular activities such as showering, drinking water, or running errands.

After Whitening: Remove the tray and rinse off your teeth.

Brush any remaining gel away. Brush, floss and continue routine dental cleaning. You may initially notice white splotches on teeth following removal of tray. This is typically cause by dehydration of the teeth and should diminish within an hour.

Excess material should be removed from the gums with a tissue, cotton wool or a dry toothbrush after insertion of the trays. The filled trays are usually worn overnight. You should not eat, drink or smoke whilst wearing the trays.

Typically, it takes 48-72 hours for teeth to heal properly after whitening. During this time, maintaining proper dental care and adopting healthy oral habits is essential.

If you've left your teeth whitening gel on for too long and are worried that it might have caused damage to your teeth, try not to fret. You may notice some slight sensitivity of the teeth, white spots on the gum or white flecks on teeth, or numbness on the gumline.

As a result, you may wonder if professional tooth whitening is worth the cost. Lots of patients are curious about in-office treatment and ask if it is really better than at-home options. The answer is a resounding yes. The most effective way to whiten teeth is with a professional in-office treatment.

Are dentist teeth whitening kits worth it? ›

Professional Teeth Whitening Provides Faster Long-Lasting Results. While at-home kits can take weeks or even months to show noticeable results, professional treatments tend to produce faster. Dentists utilize advanced techniques like laser or light-activated whitening that significantly speed up the whitening process.

One of the most common side effects is tooth sensitivity, which can occur during or after treatment. Overuse or misuse of teeth whitening products can also lead to enamel damage, gum irritation, and discoloration. Additionally, some types of tooth discoloration may not respond well to teeth whitening treatments.

Wearing the trays once every 2 months will keep your teeth at a very stable colour indefinitely, however if you want to keep them at an even brighter white, you may want to wear the trays once a month. Whitening gel, for maintenance, is available from the practice.