People spend millions of dollars every year on over-the-counter teeth whitening products. They certainly seem to be a quick and inexpensive solution for whitening your teeth. But are these products really effective when compared to a custom teeth whitening treatment by the San Bruno Cosmetic Dentist?

Let’s start with one of the most popular whitening products being sold today. A home whitening tray kit purchased over-the-counter may claim to provide a custom fit. But a plastic tray from a kit purchased at your grocery store is simply not going to give you the same fit as a tray that is custom-made by the San Bruno Cosmetic Dentist.

Why is the fit so important? If you’ve ever tried whitening your teeth and had the bleaching gel come in contact with your gums, you already know the answer. It’s very important to minimize the contact of any bleaching agent with sensitive gum tissue because that stinging sensation you feel is not your only problem. Sensitive gum tissue that is frequently exposed to the chemical agents in teeth whitening kits can be more prone to serious gum problems like periodontal disease and gingivitis.

In order to provide a customized teeth whitening tray that fits your teeth perfectly, your dentist will take an impression of your teeth. The resulting custom-made tray is trimmed to cover the entire surface stopping just short of the gum line.  This special contouring not only protects the sensitive gum tissue but also eliminates irritation caused by tray edges rubbing against the gum line.

A custom-fit whitening tray can also provides full contact with the entire tooth surface. This results in a uniform whitening of the teeth since the bleaching agent stays in contact with the whole tooth for the duration of the treatment time. A tray that is designed to fit perfectly is also more comfortable for the wearer and more likely to be worn for the recommended time needed to achieve desired results.

Contact our office if you’re interested in learning more about the ways in which a customized teeth whitening treatment can help you obtain a great, sparkling smile. We will help you decide if you’re a better candidate for an in-office teeth whitening such as the Sapphire Whitening System or a customized, take-home bleaching kit.

There’s a huge selection of tooth whitening tray kits available in your supermarket.  But did you know that choosing a customized at-home tooth whitening kit from a qualified cosmetic dentist may prevent other dental issues arising from the use of over-the-counter whitening agents?

 

Home whitening tray kits cannot provide the exact fit obtained when using a custom made whitening tray provided by your dentist.  A custom tray is designed to minimize the contact of bleaching gel with gum tissue.  Trays that don’t fit properly can also cause irritation when the edge of a bleaching tray rubs against the gums.

 

When custom bleaching trays are used gum irritation can be kept to a minimum, helping to protect you against more serious gum issues (periodontitis, gingivitis) down the road. For this reason a custom-fit whitening tray is most important in instances where a relatively higher concentration whitener is being used. In order to provide a perfect-fitting customized tray, your San Bruno Tooth Whitening Dentist takes an impression of your teeth. The resulting custom-made tray is trimmed so that it covers the entire surface of each tooth, falling just short of the gum line. This special contouring not only protects the sensitive gum tissue but also eliminates irritation caused by tray edges rubbing against the gum line.

 

The fit of a custom-molded tray from your cosmetic dentist has other advantages:

 

Contact with the entire tooth surface: A uniform whitening effect is best achieved when the whitener being used remains in contact with the entire surface of a tooth.

Proper tray retention: It’s important that the whitening tray stay in place for maximum whitening action.  A custom-fabricated tray can virtually guarantee this type of fit.

 

Contact San Bruno Cosmetic Dentistry to determine if you’re a better candidate for an in-office whitening procedure such as the Sapphire Whitening System or a customized, take-home bleaching kit. Your cosmetic dentist is highly trained and dedicated to your overall oral health as well as helping you achieve a brighter smile.