If you want a brighter smile but don't want a one-off, intensive in-office treatment, individual teeth whitening trays may be the best solution. It's a method that combines the effectiveness of dental treatment with the comfort of whitening at home, under the full control of your dentist.

Customised trays for teeth whitening are one of the most common methods chosen by patients who want to achieve a natural result and have a say in the speed of the whole process.

For whom would customised teeth whitening trays be the best choice?

Customised teeth whitening trays work best for people who have healthy teeth and gums and want to gradually lighten their colour. It's a good option if you want comfort and flexibility, as whitening takes place at home, at a time that's convenient for you.

This method is particularly recommended, if you are concerned about tooth sensitivity or want to be able to gently refresh the effect in the future without having to do the whole process over again. Customised trays for teeth whitening are also suitable for those who do not want an abrupt change in colour, but a natural, aesthetic result.

And if you want to learn about other methods of teeth whitening we recommend our text “How to have white teeth".

What are customised trays for teeth whitening?

Customised teeth whitening trays are thin, transparent trays made from an accurate impression or scan of your teeth. As a result, they adhere perfectly to your teeth, allowing the whitening gel to be evenly distributed and reducing its contact with your gums.

In contrast to ready-made overlays available in drugstores, individual tooth whitening trays are tailored exclusively to you. This has a direct impact on the effectiveness and safety of the entire process.

What does the whole process look like? 

The process of preparing customised trays for teeth whitening always begins with an office visit. The dentist assesses the condition of the teeth and gums, checking for decay, leaking fillings or inflammation that could rule out whitening.

At this stage it is also very important to professional tooth cleaning from limescale and deposits. This ensures that the whitening gel works evenly and the effect is predictable. An impression or scan is then taken, from which individual trays for tooth whitening are created in the laboratory.

Once they have been prepared, you will receive the finished overlays and the whitening gel, along with detailed instructions for use.

How to use individual trays for teeth whitening?

The use of individual teeth whitening trays is carried out at home, as recommended by your dentist. You apply a small amount of whitening gel to the trays and then place them on your teeth for a set period of time.

Depending on the type of preparation and your individual needs, the overlays are worn for several hours a day or overnight. The entire process usually takes from several days to several weeks. The first effects are visible after just a few days, and the final colour stabilises after the treatment is completed.

How long does the effect last and can the overlay be reused?

The effect produced by individual teeth whitening trays usually lasts between one and two years. This is strongly influenced by your habits, diet and daily oral hygiene. You can read more about this in our article “Effect of teeth whitening - what it depends on and how long it lasts".

You can reuse the caps themselves, provided they are in good condition and still fit well. Simply wash them thoroughly after each use, store them in a dry case and do not expose them to heat. This way, when the colour of your teeth starts to gradually change, you can do a short reminder treatment without having to make new trays.

How do you look after your teeth after whitening?

Once whitening is complete, it is worth paying special attention to daily hygiene. Regular brushing, flossing and follow-up visits to the dentist help to maintain the effect for longer. For the first few days after whitening, it is best to avoid products that may stain the enamel, such as coffee, tea, red wine or cigarettes.

It is best to follow the white diet, which we have written about here.

Customised teeth whitening trays give the best results when they are part of conscious and regular oral health care.

Customised trays for teeth whitening - price

This one depends on the practice, at ours you'll pay £150 for the trays, and the same for the whitening gel. And if you're worried about the cost now, we have good news - if the cost exceeds £350 you can take advantage of our instalment scheme. Importantly, the first 12 months are zero interest, so you only pay back the amount you've spent. 

If you want to learn more read our article "Instalment scheme for dental treatment in the UK" or contact us.

IMPORTANT! Our system is 100% safe and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA number: 619628).