Patients are looking for whiter, brighter smiles, and tooth whitening is a popular treatment. Here’s why in-office teeth whitening treatment is the preferable option to OTC whitening kits.
What are teeth whitening trays?
Tooth whitening or bleaching trays are pliable, plastic containers that hold whitening gel around the teeth. During in-office whitening treatment, you, the dentist provide a custom whitening tray, molded to fit the patient’s mouth.
What is whitening gel made of?
A whitening gel is composed of a serum with the active ingredient most often being hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, or PAP (phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid). When placed on the teeth, the serum forms a concentrated film.
Teeth whitening options for patients
There are two preferred choices when offering teeth whitening treatment to patients:
- Professional in-office treatment
- Professional take-home whitening kits (available through your dental practice)
Some patients may mention a third option, at-home whitening kits purchased at a pharmacy or online, but that is not recommended for ideal outcomes.
Pros and cons of teeth bleaching trays with a dental professional
Gel strength
Professional, in-practice teeth whitening treatment usually offers a higher percentage of peroxide (15–43%), compared to over-the-counter products (3–20%).
Time
In-office whitening can be quicker than at-home whitening because professional products offer a higher concentration of peroxide. There are dentists who offer whitening treatment that produces strong results in one, two-hour appointment, which is lengthier but cuts down on practice visits.
Some professional whitening systems claim that heat or blue light will activate the product, dentists working with those use heat or a laser to increase the speed and intensity of the whitening process that can’t be replicated with the same intensity at home.
Pretreatment cleaning
Before treatment at a dental practice, the patient will receive an oral exam and a cleaning. Removing plaque and tartar helps whitening products do their best by eliminating buffers.
Cost
Costs of in-office teeth whitening vary, but prices usually range between $500 and $1,000 US. OTC whitening kits are mainly priced between $150 to $600.
Tray fit
During in-practice whitening treatment, the patient gets a custom tray to best fit their teeth. Trays in OTC kits may not accurately fit the patient, providing imperfect results.
Aftercare
Dentists may provide at-home whitening trays to patients—extending the treatment. Patients should use at-home trays once every six months or as directed to maintain their smile.
Is your patient a good candidate for teeth whitening?
A patient may not be a good candidate for whitening treatment if they are:
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Under the age of 16
- Allergic to hydrogen peroxide or any other ingredient in the gel
Please remind your patients that not all stains or discoloration can be removed with teeth whitening. Some stains caused by disease or medication will not respond to whitening treatments and require more involved procedures. During a pre-whitening checkup, determine the cause of stains and if tooth whitening is the best option. This can save the patient time, and money, and forge more trust between you two.
Tools dentists have that patients don’t for teeth whitening
Unlike at-home procedures, you have a variety of equipment and tools in your practice used to make the teeth whitening process more comfortable for patients.
Lip retractors
A lip retractor holds the patient’s mouth open. It also allows the patient to relax their jaw muscles during the procedure, relieving tension.
Gauze
Placing gauze in the mouth absorbs saliva, keeping the oral cavity dry.
Rubber dam
A rubber dam works as a barrier to protect gum tissue from the whitening gel, minimizing tooth sensitivity.
Professional shade matching guide
During each whitening session, a dental professional will assess tooth shade and match each tooth to the corresponding color on the guide, providing optimal results.
Conclusion
Dentists should explain to their patients that bleaching is done more effectively in your practice because of the intensity of the professional whitening gel, tools already in your office, and the fit of a professional dental tray.
Dandy bleaching trays
Dandy bleaching trays are custom-made to fit, providing a superior and more comfortable whitening experience for patients. We manufacture our bleaching trays similarly to our night guard—but they are thinner (0.5mm-1.0mm) and more flexible. The scalloped edge of a Dandy bleaching tray prevents the whitening gel from touching gum tissues, which aids in sensitivity.
If you are not currently working with Dandy but are looking to add digital dental offerings such as bleaching trays to your practice, contact us today and we can walk you through our full product guide.
