Can I use my Essix retainer as a whitening tray?!
Question: Can I use my Essix retainer as a whitening tray.?
Could I put some sort of whitening solution in my Essix retainer to whiten my teeth or not.? Would doing so damage my retainer.?Health Question & Answer
Answers:
It won't damage your retainer but it is not made for whitening your teeth. When the dentist makes a bleaching tray they make an area, like a reservoir, to make room for the solution. The reason is because if the bleaching solution gets on your gums it will burn them and it will be uncomfortable. It feels like a really bad pizza burn! Then you will have to wait to bleach again til the burn goes away! Retainers are made to fit snug up against the teeth and have no room for the solution. I wouldn't recommend it. Maybe see if they have your impressions still from your retainer and take them to the dentist that makes the bleaching trays and they shouldn't charge you as much! At least that is what we did at the dental office I worked at! :)
Good Luck!Health Question & Answer
Good Luck!Health Question & Answer
Whitening trays are made differently with small resoviors in each tooth impression to hold the whitening material in, so it won't touch the gums where it will give you a chemical burn, and damage the gum tissue. Not a good idea...they are not interchangable.....Health Question & Answer