How Whitening Trays Are Made at Precision Smiles Dental Lab
At Precision Smiles Dental Lab, crafting high-quality whitening trays is a meticulous process that combines advanced technology with skilled craftsmanship. Our goal is to provide patients with comfortable, effective, and custom-fit trays that enhance their teeth-whitening experience. Below, we take you through the step-by-step process of how we create these essential dental tools.
Step 1: Receiving the Dental Impression
The process begins when we receive a dental impression or digital scan from the dentist. This impression, typically made from alginate or a similar material, captures the precise shape of the patient’s teeth and gums. For practices using digital dentistry, we accept 3D scans created with intraoral scanners, which provide highly accurate digital models.
Step 2: Creating the Dental Model
Using the impression, our technicians pour a high-quality dental stone to create a physical model of the patient’s teeth. This stone model serves as the foundation for crafting the whitening tray. For digital scans, we use advanced 3D printing technology to produce a precise resin model. At Precision Smiles, we ensure the model is free of imperfections, as even minor inaccuracies can affect the tray’s fit.
Step 3: Designing the Whitening Tray
Once the model is ready, we design the whitening tray to ensure a snug fit and optimal functionality. Our technicians use specialized software for digital models to map out the tray’s shape, ensuring it covers the teeth evenly while leaving space for the whitening gel. For traditional models, we mark the boundaries manually, ensuring the tray extends just beyond the gumline for comfort and effectiveness.
Step 4: Thermoforming the Tray
The tray is formed using a high-quality, biocompatible thermoplastic material. The material is heated until pliable and then vacuum-formed over the dental model using a precision thermoforming machine. This process ensures the tray conforms perfectly to the patient’s teeth, creating a custom fit. At Precision Smiles, we use materials that are durable yet flexible, providing comfort during extended wear.
Step 5: Trimming and Finishing
After thermoforming, the tray is carefully removed from the model and trimmed to remove excess material. Our technicians use precision tools to ensure smooth edges and a comfortable fit, avoiding any irritation to the gums or soft tissues. We also add small reservoirs to the tray’s inner surface, which hold the whitening gel against the teeth for maximum effectiveness.
Step 6: Quality Control
Quality is paramount at Precision Smiles. Each whitening tray undergoes a thorough inspection to ensure it meets our high standards. We check for proper fit, smooth edges, and accurate reservoir placement. The tray is also tested on the dental model to confirm it aligns perfectly with the patient’s teeth.
Step 7: Packaging and Delivery
Once approved, the whitening tray is cleaned, sterilized, and packaged with care. We include instructions for the dentist or patient on how to use the tray with whitening gel. The tray is then shipped back to the dental office, ready for the patient to begin their whitening journey.
Why Choose Precision Smiles?
At Precision Smiles Dental Lab, we pride ourselves on using state-of-the-art technology and meticulous attention to detail to create whitening trays that deliver exceptional results. Our custom trays ensure even whitening, comfort, and durability, helping patients achieve brighter smiles with confidence.
Whether you’re a dental professional or a patient curious about the process, we’re committed to excellence at every step. Contact Precision Smiles Dental Lab to learn more about our custom whitening trays and other dental solutions!
