Content
- What are whitening trays
- Views
- Standard
- Thermoplastic
- Individual
- Pros and cons of the procedure
- Teeth whitening at home
- Contraindications
- How long does the effect last?
- Video about teeth whitening with trays
Home teeth whitening is carried out with specialized trays, this the procedure allows you to brighten the smile 2-4 tones. Conventional toothpastes do not always do their job and therefore the enamel darkens over time. Not all people want to visit a dentist for a professional cleaning, so they prefer home whitening.
What are whitening trays
Mouth guards are an onlay that follows the anatomical shape of the teeth. To complete the course, you do not need to visit a doctor, kits for self-use are freely available in pharmacies. The whitening effect is achieved thanks to a special composition that is applied to the inside of the mouthguard.
It is known that people have different shades of teeth. The enamel of a healthy person has a yellowish color, closer to milky white. A perfect smile, as in an advertisement, is not the result of whitening, 99% of such people have veneers in such cases.
Everyone's teeth darken, this may be due to both enamel plaque and the condition of the inner part of the tooth (dentin and pulp).
External staining occurs due to the presence of a large amount of pigment plaque, which is associated with smoking, improper hygiene or frequent consumption of food with dyes. The best results of home teeth whitening are observed in people with yellowish enamel, when the result darkening are eating habits, in other cases it is better to identify and eliminate the cause that led to the change shade.
Internal staining can be the result of external darkening, as microcracks and chips appear on the enamel. Color changes can also be associated with medication or dental tissue disease.
The external darkening at the initial stage is removed with whitening pastes, and the internal darkening - with peroxides, which include trays.
Views
To determine the color of tooth enamel in dentistry, there is a Vita scale, it includes 4 groups, which include 16 shades. Whitening systems with trays are classified as professional products.
There are 3 types:
- standard;
- thermoplastic;
- individual.
According to clinical studies, whitening is most effective on teeth with yellow, orange and light root shades. Enamel, which is dark gray or bluish in color, most likely became so due to taking antibiotics of the tetracycline group. Such shades give in to whitening much worse, but it is possible to achieve a result when combining the home method with dental cleaning.
Standard
Models are manufactured at the factory, in mass volumes. The production is focused on the average size of the jaw of an adult. These whitening systems are considered the most budgetary. According to reviews, there is one significant drawback, mouthguards may not fit the individual characteristics of the bite. This leads to undesirable consequences, namely, the bleaching composition leaks onto the gums, which causes a chemical burn.
The classic set of standard mouth guards from serial production includes 10 pieces for both jaws. Special gel comes in ampoules or syringes. The volume is calculated for 1 application. The mouthguards are made of harmless food grade plastic, they are two-layer, the inner part is filled with a whitening agent.
Thermoplastic
The mouthguards are composed of a thermoplastic polymer that changes size when heated. The material of the product allows you to bring the model as close as possible to the peculiarities of the bite. The mouthguard is heated or dipped in hot water, and then fixed on the teeth.
Of the shortcomings, it is noted that due to improper operation under the influence of temperatures, deformation of the polymer is possible. Such whitening systems are of the middle price category, they are more expensive than standard, but cheaper than individual mouth guards. The kit includes a whitening gel in syringes. Such products are suitable for long-term wear - from 3 to 5 hours. It is possible to put on trays at night, as they are firmly fixed on the jaw.
Individual
Products are created in dental laboratories. Mouth guards are made according to an individual order and an impression made by a dentist, thanks to which they are in maximum contact with the enamel. Individual systems are more comfortable to wear, as they are adapted to all the features of the dentition.
The optimal result is obtained when exposed to the entire row of teeth, but if necessary, you can do a piece whitening.
Pros and cons of the procedure
Home whitening trays have a number of advantages and disadvantages. Most users agree. The main points that many people have noted are discussed below.
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Experts recommend opting for individual mouthguards, despite the higher cost. A number of benefits are noted. Such products are ideally suited to the structure of the jaw, which prevents them from slipping. In consultation, the doctor will select the right composition with the appropriate concentration of the whitening agent. The dentist will also preliminarily say whether preliminary treatment is necessary, the timely elimination of diseases guarantees a better result.
Teeth whitening at home
Home teeth whitening with trays is carried out due to the gel, which in contact with the enamel destroys plaque. Systems with one of two drugs are often on sale - hydrogen peroxide or carbamide. The higher the concentration of the active substance, the more effective the result. The agent content ranges from 6 to 45%. Additional components are potassium nitrate and fluoride, they reduce the sensitivity of the enamel, this is necessary to eliminate the discomfort of wearing mouth guards.
It is recommended to start the treatment process precisely after visiting the dentist, there are a number of reasons for this:
- the doctor examines the condition of the enamel and draws conclusions regarding the acceptable concentration of the active substance and the desired drug;
- the specialist explains the rules for wearing caps;
- in order to increase the effectiveness of the treatment, it is required to first remove the tartar.
Individual 3D mouth guards are ordered only after taking impressions at the dental clinic, then the manufacture of products is carried out in the laboratory. The finished model must be tried on without fail. Caps production time ranges from 2 to 7 days.
Terms of use:
- A whitening gel is placed in each compartment of the cap, strictly according to the indicated dosages. The excess can be removed with a paper towel.
- First you need to clean your teeth with a paste, remove food debris with dental floss.
- The design is put on the teeth, if the bleaching agent has leaked onto the mucous membrane, then it must be removed with a napkin.
- The period of wearing depends on the type of drug, a clear time frame should be indicated in the instructions. Some aligners can be worn overnight, while others should be removed after 30 minutes.
- No food or drink is allowed while the whitening system is in operation.
- After removing the caps, rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm water.
Mouth guards are worn daily, the course can last from 1 to 3 months. The first results will be visible no earlier than 2 weeks after the start of use.
In order to preserve products for repeated use, they must be properly cared for. It is necessary to purchase a special case for caps, it is convenient for storage, plus it has holes for ventilation. After use, the fixtures must be well washed, dried and put away for storage.
Home teeth whitening with trays is carried out strictly according to dental recommendations. Any whitening system, no matter where it was purchased, from a pharmacy or a medical institution, must have instructions for use.
Contraindications
There are not many reasons why using mouth guards for home whitening, but they should not be neglected. Violation of dental recommendations can lead to deterioration of the enamel and dental tissue.
Wearing mouthguards is contraindicated for people:
- with an allergic reaction to the material from which the trays are made or the whitening gel;
- suffering from diabetes mellitus and rheumatism;
- having diseases of the teeth or oral cavity, as well as with hypersensitivity;
- undergoing treatment, including undergoing oral surgery within the previous 30 days;
- taking potent drugs, including antidepressants and sleeping pills, since it is possible that the allowed period of wearing the caps may be exceeded;
- the presence of piercings on the lips or tongue.
Home teeth whitening with mouth guards should not be done for children under 18 years of age, as well as for women during pregnancy or breastfeeding. It is not recommended to use mouth guards if not so long ago treatment or tooth extraction was performed, the gel can seep into the wound and cause a burn. The procedure is carried out after complete healing.
Mouth guards do not whiten dental implants and fillings. For this reason, it is not recommended to use such systems if the artificial material is in a "visible place", since a contrast of shades is possible.
Whitening at home using mouth guards is not carried out on teeth that have caries, chips, scratches or other damage. Initially, it is important to identify the cause of the darkening of the enamel. About two thirds of patients using the home whitening system have 2 side effects: irritation of the soft tissues of the gums and interdental papillae, and increased sensitivity of the teeth to temperature irritants. In the event of pain symptoms, you should shorten the wearing time of the mouth guards or stop using them.
How long does the effect last?
With proper dental care and adherence to a "white" diet, the shade of the teeth lasts from 1 to 3 years. After wearing the mouth guards, the teeth need separate care.
In order for the effect to last longer, you need to follow a number of rules:
- Within 10-14 days after bleaching, it is required to exclude from the diet food and drinks with the presence of synthetic and natural dyes, as well as with acids.
- After consuming coloring products, you need to rinse your mouth with warm water.
- Daily dental hygiene is required.
- After bleaching, remineralizing pastes are selected to strengthen the enamel.
Home teeth whitening with mouth guards will be ineffective if a person, after the procedure, in the same regime, abuses smoking, drinks strong teas and coffee.
Customer reviews are conventionally divided into 3 types:
- those who are completely satisfied with the result;
- people who have partially helped with home whitening;
- those who had no effect at all.
There are some negative comments about mass-produced mouthpieces, since they do not fit snugly and, accordingly, cause discomfort. More than 90% of positive reviews belong to people who had custom-made mouthguards made under the supervision of a dentist.
Mouth guards are medical and hygienic devices that provide gentle home teeth whitening outside the dental office. The reason for using the products is the loss of the natural whiteness of the enamel. According to patient reviews, aligners are a good and inexpensive alternative to professional teeth whitening.
Video about teeth whitening with trays
How to whiten teeth at home with mouth guards: