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Frequently Asked Questions
Tooth Whitening | Date Posted: 7/12/2005
| Question
“Home tray vital bleaching”
| Answer
With this treatment, a gel containing typically 5% hydrogen peroxide or 10% carbamide peroxide is applied to the teeth for several hours, or overnight, using a tray. When the applicator tray is of the “stock” design (“one size fits all”), more gel is needed and there is greater contact of gel with the gums, which can result in irritation. Stock trays are also bulky and uncomfortable. A custom-made tray is vacuum-formed onto a model of the individual mouth, and allows the dentist to determine the amount of gel which contacts the teeth. The design of the tray insures that there is close contact between the bleaching gel and the surface of the teeth, without the tray impinging on the gums and causing discomfort. The tray also prevents contact between the gel and the saliva. Custom-made trays are more comfortable to wear, and less visible to others as they can be made of a clear material. Irritation of the gums can occur because of chemical irritation from the peroxide, or from physical contact of the tray. Both of these are more likely to occur with stock trays because of their poor fit. With custom-made trays, all of the excess gel can be removed easily by wiping it away from the edges of the tray as soon as the tray has been inserted into the mouth and pushed home into position over the teeth.
Gels supplied by dentists for home use in “Home tray vital bleaching” have higher levels of peroxide compounds than over-the-counter products and thus are more effective at treating internal stains. As with the adhesive strips, it is reasonably common to experience mild tooth sensitivity (particularly to cold and hit foods) from the action of the peroxide within the teeth, which resolves within several days after the treatment has stopped. Several professional products may have desensitizing agents such as potassium nitrate or fluoride included, which means that problems of tooth sensitivity will be less. Sensitivity can be reduced by using a desensitizing product supplied by your dentist, and by reducing the number of hours that the trays are worn each day, or by using the trays every alternate day. Patients whose teeth are sensitive to thermal changes before whitening commences are likely to notice an increase in this sensitivity during the whitening treatment.
You should keep the trays and obtain new stocks of bleaching gel from your dentist to repeat the whitening periodically (usually once a year). The trays will continue to fit your mouth for many years in most cases.
Bleaching using home trays will be unlikely to alter the staining effects of certain types of antibiotic drugs (e.g. tetracycline) that may have been used during childhood. Home bleaching seems to be slightly more effective for younger rather than older people.
Product examples:
Colgate Platinum Overnight ™, Colgate Platinum Gentle Sensitive™*
* Refer to Australian Dental Association Inc Seal of Approval at http://www.ada.org.au/oralHealth/sealofApp.aspx for other suitable products.
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More questions in this category:
Should teeth be white?
Which dentist can bleach my teeth?
What are the likely causes of tooth discolouration?
Why is it important to know the likely causes of tooth discolouration?
How are surface stains treated?
What are “conventional” whitening toothpastes and how do they work?
What is tooth lightening?
How are internal stains treated?
Are there issues with oxygen-based bleaching methods?
Are peroxides safe to use?
What are advanced formula whitening toothpastes and how do they work?
Paint-on whitening treatments
Adhesive strips
“Home tray vital bleaching”
“Power bleaching”
How effective is home bleaching in whitening the teeth?
Is home bleaching safe?
What is home bleaching?
Are bleaching toothpastes very effective?
How long does the bleaching last?
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