Professional Teeth Whitening: How Custom Teeth Whitening Trays Work

A bright, radiant smile can boost your confidence and leave a lasting impression. While there are numerous teeth whitening options available, professional teeth whitening with custom trays stands out as one of the most effective and customizable methods. In fact, there is a science behind custom teeth whitening trays and how they work to deliver stunning results and a smile that truly shines.

Custom teeth whitening trays offer a professional, tailored approach to achieving a brighter smile. By leveraging the power of personalized application, controlled contact time, and professional-grade whitening agents, these trays provide effective results while minimizing sensitivity and ensuring a more natural-looking outcome. If you're considering teeth whitening, consulting with your dentist about custom trays can help you achieve the dazzling smile you've always dreamed of.

Remember, in-office teeth whitening isn’t your only option for professional results. Your dentist can make a custom tray that’s just right for whitening your teeth – so you whiten every crevice. Here’s what you should know about how custom teeth whitening trays work.

Are you considering teeth whitening options? Reach out to South Anchorage Dental Center and schedule a cleaning!

What Are Custom Teeth Whitening Trays?

Custom teeth whitening trays are personalized dental devices designed to fit your teeth precisely. Unlike over-the-counter whitening products that offer a one-size-fits-all approach, custom trays ensure even coverage and maximum contact between the whitening gel and your teeth. They are typically provided by dentists with whitening instructions — and offer a higher level of control and safety compared to DIY methods.

How Custom Whitening Trays Are Made

There are two main steps involved in making custom whitening trays:

• Dental Impressions: The process begins with your dentist taking precise impressions of your teeth. Your dentist will have you bite into an impression material, which will serve as a mold to create custom-fitted trays that match the contours of your mouth.
• Tray Fabrication: Dental technicians use these impressions to craft teeth whitening trays from a pliable yet durable material. These trays are designed to fit snugly over your teeth, ensuring that the whitening gel is evenly distributed.

How Custom Teeth Whitening Trays Work

Unlike laser teeth whitening treatments, custom whitening trays are applied at home using a kit provided by your dentist. Here is how they work:

• Professional-Grade Whitening Gel: Custom teeth whitening trays are used in conjunction with professional-grade teeth whitening gel. This gel contains a higher concentration of active whitening agents, usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, than over-the-counter products. This ensures more effective and noticeable results.
• Personalized Application: The custom trays allow you to apply the whitening gel evenly across the surface of your teeth. Since the trays are tailored to your mouth, there's minimal risk of the gel coming into contact with your gums, reducing the likelihood of irritation.
• Extended Contact Time: The beauty of custom trays lies in their ability to maintain consistent contact between the whitening gel and your teeth. The trays prevent saliva from diluting the gel and protect it from being washed away, allowing for a more extended treatment period.
• Gradual Whitening: Custom teeth whitening trays provide gradual and controlled whitening. This not only reduces sensitivity but also results in a natural-looking, even shade for your teeth.

7 Benefits of Custom Teeth Whitening Trays

Custom teeth whitening trays offer a host of benefits that make them a popular choice for those seeking a brighter smile. From their personalized fit and professional-grade whitening gel to reduced sensitivity and controlled results, custom trays provide an effective and convenient solution for achieving a radiant grin.

1. Personalized Fit for Even Whitening

One of the key advantages of custom mouth trays is their tailored fit. Dental professionals take precise impressions of your teeth to create trays that fit your mouth perfectly. This ensures that the whitening gel is evenly distributed across all your teeth, resulting in consistent and uniform whitening.

2. Professional-Grade Whitening Gel

A custom mouth tray is used in conjunction with professional-grade whitening gel. This gel contains a higher concentration of whitening agents compared to over-the-counter products, which leads to more effective and noticeable results in a shorter period.

3. Reduced Sensitivity

Sensitive teeth are a common concern with teeth whitening. Custom trays allow for controlled application of the whitening gel, minimizing the risk of the gel coming into contact with sensitive areas of your mouth. This often results in reduced sensitivity during and after the whitening process.

4. Controlled Whitening

Custom teeth whitening trays provide you with control over your whitening experience. You can adjust the frequency and duration of your treatments to achieve the level of whitening you desire. This controlled approach results in a natural-looking shade that suits your preferences.

5. Convenience and Flexibility

Custom trays offer convenience and flexibility. You can undergo whitening treatments in the comfort of your own home, allowing you to fit them into your schedule as needed. Whether it's during your morning routine or while watching your favorite show, custom trays adapt to your lifestyle.

6. Long-Lasting Results

The controlled and personalized nature of custom teeth whitening often leads to longer-lasting results compared to some other methods. With proper maintenance and occasional touch-ups, you can enjoy your brilliantly white smile for an extended period.

7. Professional Guidance

When you opt for custom teeth whitening trays, you receive guidance from dental professionals who understand your unique needs. They can recommend the appropriate whitening gel strength and provide instructions for optimal use, ensuring that you achieve your desired results safely and effectively.

8 Healthy Diet & Lifestyle Habits for Keeping Teeth White

A gleaming white smile is not only aesthetically pleasing but also a reflection of good oral health. While professional teeth whitening gels and other treatments can help, your daily diet and lifestyle habits play a significant role in keeping your teeth naturally white.

The following explores the power of healthy choices for maintaining a radiant smile through mindful dietary and lifestyle practices.

1. Choose Teeth-Friendly Foods

Certain foods help scrub away surface stains and promote enamel health. Incorporate crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, and celery into your diet. These natural abrasives help remove plaque and stains while stimulating saliva production, which naturally cleanses your mouth.

2. Limit Staining Foods and Drinks

Dark-colored foods and beverages like coffee, tea, red wine, and berries can leave stains on your teeth over time. While eliminating them completely might be challenging, consider consuming them in moderation and swishing water in your mouth after consumption to help minimize staining.

3. Stay Hydrated

Water is your mouth's best friend. It helps rinse away food particles, sugars, and acids that can contribute to staining and decay. Drinking water throughout the day also helps maintain saliva production, which is essential for neutralizing acids and protecting your teeth.

4. Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Maintaining a consistent oral hygiene routine is crucial for keeping your teeth white. Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily to remove debris from between your teeth, and use an antiseptic mouthwash to kill bacteria and freshen your breath.

5. Quit Smoking and Tobacco Use

Tobacco products contain nicotine and tar, which not only stain teeth but also damage gum tissue and increase the risk of gum disease and oral cancer. Quitting smoking and avoiding tobacco can significantly contribute to maintaining a bright smile and overall oral health.

6. Consume Dairy Products

Calcium-rich dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt are not only good for your bones but also for your teeth. Calcium helps strengthen enamel and fortify your teeth against decay and stains.

7. Practice Mindful Snacking

Frequent snacking exposes your teeth to sugars and acids more frequently, increasing the risk of decay and staining. Opt for teeth-friendly snacks like nuts, seeds, and cheese, and try to limit between-meal snacking.

8. Use a Straw for Staining Drinks

When enjoying beverages like coffee, tea, or dark-colored juices, use a straw to direct the liquid toward the back of your mouth and away from your teeth. This reduces the direct contact of staining agents with your enamel.

Get Custom Teeth Whitening Trays at South Anchorage Dental Center

At South Anchorage Dental Center, we understand that a whiter smile denotes greater oral health — and it just makes you feel good when you can smile confidently. If you want to get a brighter smile and prefer the convenience of an at-home whitening tray, we've got you covered. And we’ll be happy to provide you with the highest quality dental care — whether this is to advise you on the best ways of whitening teeth, relieving gum irritation, or to recommend any additional oral health solutions.

If you're ready to have the beautiful smile you've always dreamed of, SADC is your go-to dental clinic in Anchorage, Alaska!

Would you like to improve your diet and gum health and enjoy a brilliant smile? Schedule an appointment with us at SADC today!