Your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you, and if your teeth appear more yellow or brown than pearly white, you might not make a good impression. Fortunately, your dentist has multiple cosmetic solutions that can brighten your grin, like providing professional teeth whitening or placing veneers.
But how do you know which method is the best one to help you reduce stains to achieve the perfect shade? Continue reading to learn more about both options so you can make an informed decision regarding upgrading your grin!
What is Teeth Whitening?
If you’ve ever tried over-the-counter teeth whiteners without any luck, you’re not alone. Many commercially available products claim to brighten your smile but contain diluted bleaching agents that don’t always give you the desired results. Then, you might develop sensitivity by overapplying or misusing the product to try to see the changes you hoped for.
Meanwhile, your dentist has access to ultra-concentrated bleaching gels specifically designed to mitigate potential discomfort. A single in-office visit can potentially lighten your teeth by up to 8 shades for instant results. Or, if you prefer more gradual adjustments, you can request a personalized take-home kit with professional-grade whiteners and custom-fitted trays for optimal results from your living room.
What Are Veneers?
Although topical treatments can effectively address extrinsic surface stains in your enamel from consuming darkly pigmented foods, other blemishes run deeper. Intrinsic discoloration in the lower layers of your teeth might require a different procedure, like veneers.
These thin ceramic shells are customized to match the shade, shape, and size of your natural teeth. Then, they’re bonded over the front surface to mask one or several imperfections simultaneously, including chips, cracks, slight gaps, mild overcrowding, and stubborn stains. For these to sit correctly against your gumline, your dentist must remove a thin amount of enamel, which doesn’t regenerate. That means getting veneers involves an irreversible alteration to the structure of your teeth.
Which Cosmetic Treatment is Best for Me?
Once your teeth are prepared for veneers, they’re slightly more vulnerable to decay and injuries without the porcelain covers. If you’re uncomfortable with the permanent nature of this service, you might be a better candidate for topical whitening.
That said, the best way to decide on an appropriate course of action is to consult your dentist. They’ll discuss the intended outcome with you and examine your mouth so they can provide treatment suggestions based on your unique situation.
Whether you opt for teeth whitening or veneers, you’ll soon have a much lighter smile to show off!
About the Practice
At Fairfax Dental Group, people of all ages benefit from two dentists dedicated to helping families build and maintain happy and healthy teeth and gums. Dr. Ayati and Dr. Young share decades of combined experience and can help with everything from basic preventative care to more complex procedures. They combine art and science to devise cosmetic treatment plans tailored to your individual needs. Then, they utilize state-of-the-art technology to improve patient comfort while delivering accurate results intended to last. If you want a brighter grin, you can request an appointment on the website or call (703) 560-6301.