Want Brighter Teeth? Whiten at Home!

For some patients, the price of teeth whitening is just too high—and we’re not talking about dollars and cents. Countless patients report increased sensitivity and pain following many whitening treatments, and for some, the discomfort level is high enough to warrant never having the treatment again. Still, many others can’t or won’t endure multiple office visits and the sometimes uncomfortable treatment methods that are a necessary part of the process.

It's a familiar story for Julia Shin, RDH, BS, in Wappingers Falls, NY. Shin has been in practice for 29 years and knows the time constraints facing her patients. Along with treatment methods that can be uncomfortable and lengthy, she has also seen many patients suffer from sensitivity as a result of whitening. Shin has had similar experiences herself after trying several whitening solutions, but she reports that whitening her teeth with Patterson Dental Pre-Filled Whitening Trays was different. While she gained whiter, brighter teeth, she did not experience any sensitivity.

“I was a little skeptical, but was willing to try this treatment and I was surprised that I didn’t experience any sensitivity,” she shared. “It was also very easy to apply.”

Patterson Whitening Trays use disposable, pre-filled trays containing a 15% hydrogen peroxide gel with potassium nitrate, a unique addition to the formulation that can reduce or even eliminate sensitivity. Each kit requires refrigeration and contains 7 upper trays and 7 lower trays, with 1 mL of tooth whitening gel per tray.

“The taste was fine and there was no chemical or slightly bitter taste, which is something I’ve noticed with other whitening treatments,” Shin said.

Just 3 Steps

Whitening is fast and simple and can be accomplished in 3 easy steps. First, patients peel back a protective foil to remove the tray. Next, trays are placed on upper, then lower teeth. Patients should bite firmly and then suck on the tray for 2 seconds. For best results, patients keep trays in their mouths for 15-20 minutes. Once that time has elapsed, trays are removed and patients can rinse their mouths with water to remove any remaining gel from their teeth. Trays are discarded upon removal and patients should monitor progress to prevent whitening beyond the desired shade or translucency.

Shin initially used Patterson Whitening Trays on only her upper teeth so she could see more clearly the difference in whitening between her treated upper teeth and her untreated lower teeth.

“I could see a difference in the color of my teeth after 3 days,” she said.

Economically priced, Patterson Whitening Trays are quick and convenient to use. The unique, one-size-fits-all design provides a whitening solution for patients who cannot afford or are not ready for custom trays or in-office treatment but desire more effective treatment than what’s normally found with over-the-counter whitening products. Patterson Whitening Trays are used once daily for up to 7 days.

“Depending on how my teeth change, I will probably consider using the Whitening Trays again in about 6-9 months,” Shin added. “I was happy with the results.”