Question:
I've been thinking about whitening my teeth and have decided to go the route
of having custom trays made. My dentist is charging around $400 for this,
while I have found an on-line source for the kit for $150. The on-line
source says that they are not dentists and that any problems should be dealt
with by my dentist.
Is there any reason to be really concerned with this? Is paying the premium
to my dentist worth it? What problems could arise that would require
attention by my dentist? Any opinions?
Answer:
Possible problems:
1) practicing dentistry without a license -- problem for the site more
than you
2) they may take your money and run
3) if they don't make a good fitting tray, you have no recourse
4) what if the chemistry is expired?
5) You have to take your own impression
6) who checks the fit of the trays?
7) could they sell your name to a Spam list and a mailing list?
8) who helps you if you have sensitivity
9) how do they know whether to give you weak or strong chemistry
10) will they remake the tray if you have a new crown made
11) these are off the top of my head and may not be pertinent.
Perhaps your teeth are easy to make an impression of in your own kitchen,
the trays will fit well, the chemistry will be just right for you and you
will get great results. It is just that there is a lot of variables.
How about you go buy Crest White-Strips over-the-counter and bleach that
way. You might get better results than some mail order gimmick.
If your dentist makes the trays,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
a) the dental office will then stand behind the fit of trays
b) if you have a crown made, they will probably just make you a new
bleaching tray
c) you know the chemistry is ADA approved and un-expired
d) The office will verify that you don't have any holes in your teeth that
might hurt from the chemistry
e) dental offices normally take the extra time to trim a "ditch" into the
edge of each tooth on the model they will make the tray on to create a
miniature suction cup effect in the tray which holds the chemistry in better
and keeps saliva out better
Who knows? You could get great results for your $150. It just is less
predictable. I would guess that OTC White-Strips would be more predictable.
