The most traditional methods include fabrication of a custom whitening tray and dispensing bleaching gel.

The whitening trays are made from a soft vinyl rubber tailored to fit the exact contours of your teeth and moulded to fit into your mouth, this enables the whitening gel to make close contact with your tooth enamel to produce a consistent whiter smile. Some patients may experience sensitivity during the treatment. On rare occasions, patients may experience tingling sensations in the teeth immediately after the procedure,  however these effects subside shortly after use. It is not advised to use whitening systems if you have decay or defective fillings, or if you have active gum disease, which is why we always carry out a thorough examination of your mouth before we start any form of whitening treatment.

Some ready-made trays that are provided with other home teeth whitening products often do not allow the close contact that is required to create such even results, and some home kits may not contain enough of the whitening product to be effective, these are only minor problems compared to some of the other problems that can occur from these products. If the whitening tray does not fit correctly then some of the bleaching gel may leak onto your gums and can even be swallowed which can cause ulcers, blistering, sensitivity and damage to your tooth enamel.

Research conducted by the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry also found that cheaper home whitening kits may contain high levels of bleach. EU recommendations state that the level of Hydrogen Peroxide (an active ingredient in whitening gel) should not exceed 6%, however some websites are selling kits that contain nearly double the recommended level, some even containing acid that can erode patient’s teeth, causing them to stain even more.