Teeth Whitening Tray Fitting Instructions

1. First watch the ProDental Products Ultra Comfort Dental Guards Fitting Instructions Video at mkcproducts.com/videos/

Then clean the teeth whitening tray by scrubbing it gently with anti-bacterial liquid soap and a soft bristle toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residues. Please note: Step 7 should be done in front of a mirror that is in close proximity to the hot water used in step 6 so the tray does not cool down between these 2 steps. A bowl of ice water is needed for steps 9 and 10.

2. The ProDental Ultra Comfort teeth whitening trays shrink about 20% in length and height during the heating process so trimming is usually not necessary unless you have a very small mouth and/or a severe gag reflex and/or are missing some of your back teeth. If the tray is too big after heating and molding and it has shrunk 20% and formed a good impression, start over with a new mouth guard and pre-trim before heating with a sharp scissors following the instructions at the bottom of this page titled “Do You Have a Very Small Mouth/Small Teeth or a Hyperactive Gag Reflex?”

3. Prior to heating the tray, it is helpful to swish hot water in your mouth to make the teeth as warm as possible as sometimes a lower mouth temperature can cause the tray to cool down too fast and prevent a good impression of the side surfaces of the teeth.

4. Fill a large pot with water to within 1 inch of the top of the pot. Bring the water to a boil and then remove the pot from the burner and let the water stop boiling for 60 seconds. Place the tray into the hot water so that the inside of the tray is facing up (DO NOT put the tray in the water while it is heating up to a boil).

5. While the tray is heating in the hot water keep a wooden spoon (preferably slotted) positioned directly under the tray so that as soon as you see the slightest amount of curling you can immediately lift the tray out of the hot water. This will allow you to remove the mouth guard just at the right time so that the material will be soft and form a good impression and at the same time not run the risk of overheating the tray.

6. As soon as you notice the tray walls starting to curl together (usually occurs at about 8-10 seconds but can be as few as 5 seconds if close to sea level), remove it from the hot water. Place the tray on a warm wet paper towel that is setting on a warm plate (so the tray material stays soft) and immediately use your fingers to slightly spread the walls of the tray apart so that there is enough room for your teeth to fit inside (this step should not exceed 2-3 seconds so that the tray remains soft and very pliable).

7. As soon as the walls of the tray are spread apart, insert the tray over the teeth at an angle so that the ends are positioned over the pre-molars (the teeth behind the canine teeth). Then slide back the ends of the tray and rotate the front of the tray upward so that it is positioned over all of your teeth. By keeping the ends in contact with the teeth as you push the tray back, it will prevent the walls of the tray from folding over. Looking in the mirror, make sure the center notch in the front of the tray lines up as close as possible between your two front teeth.

8. With your lips closed tightly together bite down slightly, suck out all the air and water until the tray molds to a tight fit around your teeth. Open your mouth and simultaneously use your thumbs to apply very firm pressure to the inside walls and borders of the tray while using your fingers under your lips and cheeks to press very firmly against the outside walls and base of the tray. Keep pushing firmly with your thumbs and fingers against the inside and outside walls and base of the tray for 20 to 25 seconds. When you remove the tray you should notice a detailed impression of the side surfaces your teeth.

9. After removing the tray, while it is still warm, place your thumbs against the inside walls of the tray and your index fingers against the outside walls. Squeeze both the inside and outside walls of the tray slightly together to make the inside of the tray narrower. Holding the tray with both hands so that the walls of the tray are slightly squeezed together, quickly submerge the tray in the ice water and then re-insert it into your mouth. After putting the tray back onto the teeth, it should have a retentive fit. If the tray seems too loose, then the fit can be tightened in the next step.

10. Submerge the tray in the pan of hot water for 5 seconds. After removing the tray from the water, repeat step 9 above. You should notice that the inside of the tray feels tighter against your teeth. This step can be repeated as needed to adjust the fit so that it is comfortable, yet snug. A detailed impression of the teeth is key to a retentive, snug fit. If you cannot see a clear detailed outline of each tooth inside the tray then try remolding the tray, following steps 3 through 9 or starting over with a tray in the set.

Using the Tray for Teeth Whitening

When using the tray for teeth whitening it is very important that you obtain a detailed impression of the teeth. If you do not see a clear outline of the surfaces of the teeth that face your lips and cheeks then try remolding the tray. If remolding does not result in a better impression, then start over with a new tray. Having a good impression of your teeth will ensure that the whitening gel stays in place during the short period of time required.

Cleaning & Storing the Teeth Whitening Tray

Clean the tray by using a soft bristle toothbrush and toothpaste or soaking it in an anti-bacterial soap and water solution. If you use the latter be sure to rinse it very thoroughly so you do not have a soapy taste when re-inserting it. Do not soak the mouth guard in mouthwash as the alcohol in mouthwash will shorten the life of the tray. Hydrogen peroxide is also contra-indicated. To store the tray use the small zip lock bag (keep open to ventilate).

Do You Have a Very Small Mouth/Small Teeth or a Hyperactive Gag Reflex?

The ProDental Ultra Comfort Teeth Whitening Trays have been designed to cover just the teeth after heating and molding but if your teeth are small, short or excessively worn down then the tray may need to be trimmed before heating. Since the tray normally shrinks 20% upon heating it is best to first mold one of the trays in the set to determine if trimming is necessary.

If after molding one of the trays, it seems too large or is setting off a gag reflex, it is best to pre-trim the tray in steps so that the tray borders end up 1/16″ beyond the gum line before heating and molding. This amount of trimming will enable the tray to fit just on the teeth and not extend onto the gums after molding.

By removing 1/16″ of material at a time from the borders of the tray with very sharp scissors and trying the tray back in the mouth after each trimming before it is molded (to see where the borders are in relation to the gum line), this will ensure the tray is not over trimmed. Before molding use an emery board to smooth any sharp or rough edges.