At-home whitening went mainstream over two decades ago, and as each year goes by, more and more products hit the market. Each one looks to stand out against the competition and win the loyalty of customers.
BURST first made waves with their whitening strips, and now they’ve expanded their offerings to include pre-filled whitening trays. They’re cruelty-free, vegan, and easy to use. And according to BURST, with seven daily 15-minute sessions, they deliver significantly brighter smiles. Do their trays live up to this promise? We’ve done the homework for you and assembled everything you need to know right here.
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BURST Whitening Trays at a Glance
To understand their whitening trays, you need to understand BURST as a company. They say their goal is to “transform oral care as we know it.” To them, this means making simple but high-quality and financially accessible dental products. Their product line is laser-focused on meeting practical needs, skipping the fluff.
BURST’s business model relies on BURST Ambassadors — licensed dental professionals across the United States. They communicate unmet patient needs to BURST and the company uses this feedback to develop product proposals. When their ambassadors report a clear and overarching demand for a given product, the company puts it into production.
This is a unique approach, and BURST doesn’t let it drive up costs. They offer an affordable subscription model that ensures you never run out of products and discounts each kit by $10.
They top this off by using environmentally conscious practices, such as recyclable packaging and ethical manufacturing. Their research and development is cruelty-free and their products are vegan and gluten-free.
Pros & Cons of BURST Whitening Trays
All of BURST’s products are high-quality and effective, and their whitening trays are no exception. But no whitening product is perfect. Here are the biggest pros and cons of choosing BURST Whitening Trays for your smile.
Pros
- No Measuring: BURST pre-fills their whitening trays with gel, so you don’t need to use syringes or pens, or measure out the perfect amount for your teeth.
- Great Flavor: Rather than a powerful chemical flavor from the hydrogen peroxide, BURST Whitening Trays have a sweet mint taste thanks to peppermint oil and xylitol.
- Powerful Formula: These trays feature a 12.5% hydrogen peroxide concentration.
- No Sensitivity: BURST’s formula includes xylitol and potassium hydroxide, which both help reduce or eliminate sensitivity. While some people with highly sensitive teeth still might get some twinges, most will not.
Cons
- Thick Trays: Since the trays are universal, not custom-made, they might not fit perfectly. This can feel awkward and make your lips look a little funny — but whitening sessions are just 15 minutes long, so this isn’t a major issue.
- Single Use: BURST trays aren’t reusable, so you’ll need to buy a new kit each time you want to whiten. This can increase your whitening costs over time.
BURST Whitening Trays: The Verdict
These pre-filled trays bring a lot of whitening power to the table without causing excessive sensitivity, making them a stellar option for anyone who wants a quick, comfortable, and thoroughly effective whitening treatment.
Effectiveness
A whitening product can perform well in every other category, but if it’s lacking in effectiveness, it’s a waste of money. Luckily, BURST Whitening Trays work quite well.
A full course of treatment is just seven days compared to the usual 14. And unlike other trays that typically need to be worn for 30–60 minutes per session, BURST trays need just 15 minutes to work their magic.
And BURST doesn’t just claim their products work; they back them with solid guarantees, showing that they really stand behind their offerings. They put a one-year warranty on registered devices and a lifetime warranty on their subscription. Basically, they are confident their whitening trays will brighten your smile.
And they should be confident, given how powerful their trays are. They use a 12.5% concentration of hydrogen peroxide which, as BURST states in their product description, offers “professional-grade whitening.” To give this context, many at-home whitening products use a 6.5% or lower concentration of hydrogen peroxide. Even though hydrogen peroxide is still effective at lower concentrations, BURST Whitening Trays work in half the time of other kits because they have double the power.
The longevity of your whitening results will depend on your habits, like how often you eat and drink highly pigmented foods or if you smoke. You can safely use BURST whitening trays four times a year. And if you want to extend the lifespan of your results, consider using other BURST products, such as their toothbrushes and toothpaste.
Affordability
Whitening treatments at a dentist’s office can cost over $1,000. Thankfully, at-home whitening kits come at a significantly lower price point. In fact, BURST Whitening Trays cost just $79.99.
This kit comes with 14 whitening trays — one upper and lower tray for seven total treatments. Though BURST’s Whitening Trays are already more affordable than professional treatments, you can decrease the cost even further with their subscription. By opting in to a BURST delivery every 12 weeks, you’ll pay $10 less per kit.
Unfortunately, you can’t reuse your whitening trays for future treatments — so you’ll need to purchase a whole new kit anytime you want to brighten your smile. Some of BURST’s competitors sell refills of their whitening serum, which allows you to reuse the trays and save money on additional treatments.
Quality of Ingredients
BURST Whitening Trays’ power comes from a 12.5% concentration of hydrogen peroxide — higher than most whitening trays on the market. The formula is enamel safe, effectively opening the pores of the enamel and oxidizing the stains within.
Besides hydrogen peroxide, BURST Whitening Trays also include the following ingredients:
- Glycerin
- Water
- Xylitol
- Povidone
- Carbomer
- Potassium hydroxide
- Silicon dioxide
- Dipotassium phosphate
- Citric acid
- EDTA
- Peppermint oil
The two most notable supporting ingredients are xylitol, a natural sweetener that helps mineralize teeth and decrease sensitivity, and potassium hydroxide — a pH conditioner that reduces acidity and pain when whitening. All ingredients are vegan and gluten-free, making these strips accessible even for people with dietary restrictions.
Convenience
Whitening your teeth boosts your confidence, but typically also complicates your schedule. Usually, whitening trays are one of the least convenient ways to brighten your smile, since most rely on you measuring and applying the gel yourself (and some also require you to take molds of your teeth for custom trays). BURST Whitening Trays are pre-filled, so they skip right past the most inconvenient aspects.
Let’s start with the prep. This is pretty much the same no matter which whitening product you use, so BURST won’t save you time here. You’ll need to brush your teeth (either without toothpaste or using a fluoride-free toothpaste) and floss. Then, dry your teeth and keep them dry until you insert the trays.
Here’s where things get easier than most other trays and even strips and pens. To use BURST Whitening Trays, just check the package to see which is the top and which is the bottom, then open them and place them on your teeth. Once one tray is on, bite down gently, then suck on the tray to form it to your teeth. Repeat this with the other one and you’re all set.
Whitening sessions are only 15 minutes long — BURST even suggests wearing your trays while showering to take care of multiple tasks at once. You only whiten once a day and wrap up treatment in just seven days. Most whitening products require a minimum of 30 minutes per session and take 14 days for maximum results. Typically, higher peroxide concentrations can deliver results more quickly than weaker formulas; so it’s likely BURST’s potent whitening gel is to thank for this short treatment window.
Once your 15 minutes are up, brush your teeth and rinse your mouth. For best results, avoid eating and drinking anything besides plain water for at least 30 minutes — though it’s better if you whiten before bed and avoid consuming anything until morning. Remember that the trays are easily portable, so if you are spending extra hours at the office or are taking a trip, you just need to pack the right number of trays and you’re good to go.
Comfort
A whiter smile can make you feel better in your own skin, but during the actual whitening sessions, things can feel a little awkward. You have a tray and gel in your mouth, after all. Luckily, BURST Whitening Trays are quite comfortable.
Let’s start with the downside — tray thickness. This is an issue with pretty much all pre-filled trays that form to the teeth. Because they’re one size fits all, they feel bulky for many customers. Compare this to custom trays that are made to fit nearly flush against the teeth and you’ll find a big difference in comfort.
BURST’s whitening process is pretty comfortable overall. They’ve formulated their gel to prevent sensitivity — a pretty impressive feat considering its power. Xylitol mineralizes the teeth and potassium hydroxide lowers acidity, making the gel work for most people, even those with pre-existing sensitivity.
It tastes pretty good too. Many people dislike whitening their teeth because gels often have a powerful chemical taste. BURST Whitening Trays use peppermint oil and xylitol to mask that peroxide flavor. The peppermint oil gives the gel a fresh mint flavor, while xylitol is a natural sugar-free sweetener.
Final Thoughts
If a brighter smile is your goal, but you want quick whitening sessions and minimal prep, BURST Whitening Trays might be ideal for you. They are effective, comfortable, and ready to go when you are.
Of course, it isn’t your only option. Check out our review of the best at-home whitening options to compare the top products available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main advantages of using trays over other whitening products?
Your perspective might vary but we think the top three reasons to choose trays over options like strips and pens are:
- Full teeth coverage, getting the gel into the nooks and crannies where other products don’t reach.
- Many trays come with more powerful gels than strips or pens.
- Some trays are reusable, so you only need to purchase gel refills later on.
Why should I choose pre-filled trays over more traditional options?
There are benefits and drawbacks to both. However, the primary advantage of pre-filled trays is their convenience. You don’t need to measure gel or paint it onto your teeth with a pen. Each tray has the exact amount needed for full coverage and whitening, maximizing results while minimizing the risk of burning your gums.
What are the disadvantages of pre-filled trays?
Mainly that they are single-use products. This isn’t great for the environment (and BURST typically focuses on maximum sustainability) and it means you have to pay the full cost each time you need to whiten your teeth again. With other trays, you just purchase gel refills, which are significantly cheaper than full kits.
Is whitening my teeth at home actually safe?
Yes! Whitening at home isn’t new. Safe and effective products have been widely available for over two decades now. Just be sure to take the following precautions:
- Don’t go DIY. Self-made solutions or TikTok hacks are a pretty risky way to whiten teeth.
- Make sure the products you are purchasing are authentic, not knock-offs.
- Stick to the directions that come with your whitening kit; never whiten for longer or more often than they indicate.
- Check the ingredients if you have any known allergies.
What can happen if I whiten my teeth more often or longer than the directions state?
You risk permanently damaging your enamel. Enamel is the protective layer of the tooth and it can’t repair itself after it’s been damaged. Basically, not following the directions can put you at high risk for everything from tooth sensitivity to decay and loss.
My teeth used to be sparkling white. Why did their color change?
All of us should see changes in tooth shade over time. As part of the aging process, our enamel thins, making it easier to see the yellow dentin layer of the teeth. However, our teeth can change color for many reasons, including diet, smoking, and even medications.
Can I use whitening trays if I have braces or a fixed retainer?
Talk to your orthodontist first. In some cases, you can, but can and should are two different things. Your doctor can explain the advantages and disadvantages of whitening with a fixed appliance.
Is it safe to whiten my teeth while pregnant or breastfeeding?
There is very little research on this. Ask your OBGYN or pediatrician before making a decision.
Will whitening trays work on cosmetic and restorative dentistry?
If you have surface stains, whitening trays might work on those, but they cannot change the actual color of restorative dentistry. Additionally, some whitening products just aren’t safe for the materials used in things like caps, crowns, bridges, and veneers. Consult with your dentist before using a whitening system.
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