ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses different tray design features and fabrication options and demonstrates the step-by-step procedure of how to make the home whitening trays. The ideal whitening trays should: be strong enough to avoid damage by the patient during wear, not distort during use, and not wear during use. The reservoir in the tray acts as a receptacle for the whitening material and is supposed to retain the whitening material in the tray, thus allowing it to contact the teeth for a longer period of time. A better fitting tray allows for the material to compress against the tooth surface and allows for better, quicker penetration of the whitening material into the tooth. Capillary action will transmit the whitening material to the cervical part of the tooth. Rigid orthodontic trays can also be used as whitening trays after orthodontic treatment. Deeper scoring with a plaster knife has been recommended by some whitening companies.
