Although dentist administered teeth whitening is a relatively new procedure, and the long term results are not yet know, it has been effective for millions of people since 1989. There are, however, some for whom teeth whitening may not be effective.

Teeth have a unique and inherent lightening potential. The amount of whitening your teeth obtain during the whitening process is denpendent upon the following factors :

• the length of time the tray is worn each day
• The number of days the tray is worn
• how receptive your teeth are to the whitening agent

• Tray fabricated from a model of your teeth which will hold the whitening gel.
• Powerful whitening gel in a cartridge.
• Strong case

• Brush and floss your teeth.
• Remove the cartridge cap (if necessary, attach a dispensing tip).
• Place small amounts of gel in the lip side of the front twelve teeth, unless you are given a different regimen from Dr, Davis. It is better to apply too little gel than to add too much gel.
• Seat the tray completely and firmly onto the teeth. Apply gentle pressure from the tops of the teeth, being careful not to push on the fronts of the teeth or to inadvertently exude the gel.
• Carefully wipe away any excess gel with a cotton swab or cotton gauze.
• Recap the cartridge.
• Remove the gently wash the tray with cold water prior to eating. Be careful not to use warm water, since that may distort the fit of the tray.

• Try to avoid citrus foods, fruit juices, soft drinks and antacids because they can change the pH of your saliva and cause sensitivity and/or slow down the whitening process.
• Try to avoid tobacco, black coffee, cola, root beer, dark grape juice, raspberries and red wine and similar heavy staining substances that may inhibit and/or prolong the whitening process.

• Eat or drink while you are wearing the custom whitening tray
• Use any household or other whitening products in the tray
• Whiten your teeth while pregnant or lactating without consulting with your obstetrician

Do not exceed 2 treatment(1 top and 1 bottom) in a 24 hour period.

Standard Treatment : Keep the tray in your mouth for 6-8 hours while sleeping

Accelerated Treatment : Keep the tray in your mouth for 2-4 hours.

High Accelerated Treatment : Keep the tray in your mouth for30-60 minutes.

Patients have experienced some temporary discomfort, pain, irritation and soreness. Some people have had their teeth become sensitive to cold stimuli and biting pressures. Others have reported tongue and/or lip soreness, gum sensitivity and throat irritation.. In all cases, these symptoms resolved after a fes days once the solution was stopped and the whitening treatments were then successfully resumed. If you feel that the tray is not fitting ideally, or a transient sensitivity is not decreasing, promptly contact Dr. Davis.

Keep the whitening solution out of direct sunlight. If possible, keep the unused gel (and the custom tray in its case ) in the refrigerator where the shelf life of the material whill be prolonged.

All indications are that whitened teeth should stay lighter for some time (probably years). Teeth can be successfully retreated (with a power session in the office or with the whitening. gel at the home) at a later date. Some may not need to have the whitening process repeated. Others use the gel on a periodic basis to help prevent the yellowing of their teeth. Meticulous oral hygiene and regular professional cleaning are excellent means to ensure the longeviy of your whitening.