Dentist-Dispensed Take-Home Whitening Trays
According to dental professionals, the best bleaching results come from dentist-dispensed take-home kits – particularly those that are used over extended periods. These kits contain higher percentages of bleach than over-the-counter kits and typically consist of:
- Custom-fitted application trays made of a flexible plastic material. Custom trays cost about $100 and offer several benefits:
- They help ensure that the bleach stays in contact with the teeth, for maximum whitening.
- They help prevent saliva from coming into contact with the bleaching agent (which can dilute its strength).
- They minimize the amount of bleach that can dribble onto (and potentially irritate) the gums.
- Bleaching compounds are either pre-loaded into the trays or stored in syringes and added to the trays just before use. In many cases, your dentist can fine-tune the bleach concentration and add a desensitizing agent to use before or after application. Generally the kits provide enough gel for one two-week treatment per year, plus one- or two-day touch-ups every four to six months.
The following tray-bleaching systems are what most dentists dispense:
Discus Dental Nite White and Day White ACP: These are the only take-home whiteners with amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP), a proven enamel re-builder, and sensitivity-reducing potassium nitrate and fluoride.
Nite White is available in various hydrogen peroxide concentrations, for either overnight or twice-daily use. Ask your dentist which concentration and application are best for you.
Cost: $200 to $400.
Discus Dental Nite White Turbo: This is the fastest Nite White system, containing a mint-flavored, chemically accelerated 6 percent hydrogen peroxide formulation. It is intended for overnight use, two to four hours twice a day, or one to two hours a day if you are sensitive to bleach.
Cost: $200 to $400.
Discus Dental Zoom! Weekender Kit: This fast-acting whitening system has a 6 percent hydrogen peroxide gel and a time-release booster agent that enhances bleach penetration. The Weekender Kit is intended for overnight use, two to four hours twice a day, or one to two hours a day if you are sensitive to bleach.
Cost: $200 to 400.
Opalescence by Ultradent: Incorporating a viscous carbamide peroxide whitening agent known for its staying power over extended periods of time, the Opalescence gel also contains a patented mix of sensitivity-reducing potassium nitrate and fluoride. Pre-packaged in syringes, the gel is inserted into the custom-made trays before each use. Four concentrations of carbamide peroxide are available for use during the day or overnight.
Opalescence kits come in mint, melon and flavor-free formulas. Best results will likely appear after 10 days of directed use.
The average cost of Opalescence whitening ranges from $150 to $200 per tray. Dental offices make gel refills available at the six-month checkup, as a way of ensuring that you return for this visit. Some dental offices provide the refills free of charge, but typically they cost upward of $50.
Opalescence Trèswhite Supreme: This innovative, one-size-fits-all system is designed for those who want a quick, convenient and relatively inexpensive whitener, with no wait for custom-made trays. Many people use this system while traveling or just before a major business meeting or social event.
Trèswhite has a two-layer tray system that guarantees automatic alignment. The delivery trays are pre-loaded with a membrane-like inner tray coated with a 10 percent hydrogen peroxide whitener containing the same sensitivity-reducing mix of potassium nitrate and fluoride as is found in Opalescence systems with custom-made trays.
The wear time for Trèswhite is 30 to 60 minutes, once a day. Packs of Trèswhite Supreme (10 uppers and 10 lowers), for use over the course of five to 10 days, are available in mint, peach and melon flavors.
Cost: $75 to $100.
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Tags: bleach, bleaching agent, dentist, dentists, gums, hydrogen peroxide, Teeth, Tooth
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