There are many ways to improve the look of your smile. While there is no replacing good oral hygiene to keep your teeth healthy and beautiful, there are many circumstances that can play a role in acquiring or inheriting discolored teeth.
Teeth whitening and dental veneers are probably the most direct route to a brighter and more satisfying smile. The one that is right for you depends on the cause of your dental staining and other factors.
Teeth Whitening
If you have consumed a considerable amount of dark-colored beverages like wine or coffee, used tobacco products of any kind, or may have neglected to brush regularly, you probably have extrinsic staining on your teeth. This type of discoloration responds well to professional teeth whitening, which is available both as an in-office treatment and as take-home trays that are custom made for you.
For in-office, chairside teeth whitening: your dentist will carefully apply a specially designed bleaching agent to your teeth, most of which include ingredients to reduce or prevent sensitivity to your gums. This process may be repeated one or two times. Depending on the brand, a light may be used to activate the whitening process.
For professional take home tray whitening: your dentist will obtain an impression of your teeth for the lab to create a comfortable and effective whitening delivery system. You will be instructed on when to use and for how long.
Many people who are planning for an upcoming event will opt for an in-office whitening session if there is short notice, while those who have more time may choose the professional take-home method to whiten over the course of two or more weeks.
Over-the-counter options rarely deliver a significant difference in shade. Professional strength, dentist prescribed products can lift the brightness of your smile several shades with excellent results.
Dental Veneers
Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that are custom made from your dental impression to fit on the front of your teeth and can totally transform your smile in two visits. This option, while more expensive, can deliver more than just whitening and is the best option for lightening intrinsic stains on teeth that are caused by genetics, medications, and some illnesses. Professional teeth whitening does not often effectively correct intrinsically stained teeth. In addition to adding brilliance to your smile, veneers can correct cosmetic flaws such as chips, gaps, and mild crowding.
Combine the two for a Smile Makeover
You may have a gapped or chipped front teeth and need just one or two veneers placed. If this is the case and you also want whiter teeth, you can choose to whiten the rest of your smile and then shade match your veneers to your brighter existing teeth. This would have to be done prior to matching the veneers as porcelain and other dental restoration material cannot be bleached later.
If you are looking to improve your smile with teeth whitening or veneers in Anaheim, call Southland Dental today!