Teeth Whitening
Take-home teeth whitening is a professional whitening system provided by dentists, offering patients the convenience of brightening their smiles at home. It’s a popular option for achieving effective and long-lasting results while maintaining flexibility.
How Take-Home Whitening Works:
1. Consultation and Assessment
Assessment of your oral health to ensure suitability for whitening.
Any necessary dental work, like treating cavities or gum issues, is addressed beforehand.
2. Custom Trays
Scans of your teeth are taken to create custom-fitted whitening trays.
These trays ensure even application of the whitening gel and prevent leakage onto gums.
3. Whitening Gel
Professional-grade whitening gel is provided, usually containing carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. Higher concentrations than over-the-counter products.
4. At-Home Application
Patients fill the custom trays with the whitening gel and wear them for the recommended duration.
Treatment typically lasts 2-3 weeks, depending on the desired level of whitening.
Advantages of Take-Home Whitening
Custom Fit: Ensures better comfort and results compared to over-the-counter options.
Professional Strength: More effective than store-bought products due to higher concentrations of whitening agents.
Convenience: Allows patients to whiten their teeth at their own pace, in the comfort of their home.
Cost-Effective: More affordable than in-office whitening while still offering professional results.
Potential Risks and Considerations
Tooth Sensitivity: May occur during treatment but can be managed with desensitizing toothpaste or gel.
Gum Irritation: Avoid overfilling your custom trays with gel to prevent irritation.
Consistency: Results depend on adherence to the prescribed regimen.
Existing Restorations: Dental work (e.g. veneers and fillings) will not whiten, which may result in colour mismatches.
Maintenance Tips
Avoid foods and beverages that discolour teeth (e.g., coffee, tea, red wine, curry, tomato-based sauces, berries) during and after treatment.
Practice good oral hygiene, including regular brushing, flossing, and professional dental cleans.
Regular at-home application of your whitening trays to maintain results.
Take-home whitening is an excellent option for patients seeking a customized, effective, and convenient solution to achieve a brighter smile under the supervision of your dentist.