If you feel dissatisfied with your smile, you may wish to ask your dentist for cosmetic dentistry options. Both teeth whitening and veneers are excellent choices in different situations. This blog explains how teeth whitening and veneers work and shares the answers you need to make an informed decision.
About Teeth Whitening
In-office teeth whitening is one of the quickest ways to improve the appearance of your smile. It works best for patients with healthy teeth and gums.
Teeth whitening works by applying a potent hydrogen or carbamide peroxide gel to the tooth surfaces exposed when you smile. This gel travels through the tiny pores in your natural enamel and oxidizes dark stains from food, beverages, and lifestyle factors.
Our practice provides professional teeth whitening both in the office and with custom at-home kits. For an at-home kit, we create a personalized tray to wear in the comfort of your home. Treatment time varies. At-home whitening may take a few weeks longer than in-office treatment, but it is an excellent option for those who prefer a subtle approach.
About Veneers
Composite Veneers
Thanks to recent advances in dental technology, we can now use tooth-colored filling materials to restore chipped, uneven, and discolored teeth in just one appointment. Applying composite veneers requires a blend of artistic and technical skills, since your practitioner will mold and shape the resin to your teeth. Often, multiple layers are used to create a natural look that blends with your existing teeth.
Porcelain Veneers
A porcelain veneer consists of a wafer-thin sheet of durable, stain-resistant material applied to a prepared tooth. Porcelain is an aesthetically pleasing material with a sheen and luster similar to healthy, natural tooth enamel. Veneers are used to cover cracks, correct a tooth’s position, remove gaps, and improve the color, texture, and appearance of your teeth. Placing custom veneers requires a high degree of technical skill as well as attention to cosmetic detail.
Differences Between Porcelain and Composite Veneers
Porcelain veneers are more durable than composites, but if they chip or break, the entire veneer will need to be replaced. For composite veneers, your dentist may be able to repair them with a matching resin. Additionally, porcelain veneers have superior stain resistance compared to composites
Pros and Cons of Whitening and Veneers
Teeth Whitening
Pros:
- Teeth whitening is a relatively inexpensive option compared to veneers.
- In-office whitening usually provides impressive results in a single appointment. Our dentists use expert methods to make whitening safe for sensitive teeth.
Cons:
- Whitening treatments need periodic repetition to maintain a brilliant appearance.
- Lack of dental supervision may result in over-whitened teeth that stain easily and feel sensitive. A trusted cosmetic dentist can help you avoid this issue.
Dental Veneers
Pros:
- Veneers can correct not only tooth hue and brightness, but also chips, gaps, and a slightly uneven or misshapen appearance.
- The process of receiving veneers typically takes only two appointments.
Cons:
- Porcelain veneers cost significantly more than teeth whitening, but their durability and stain resistance may mean the investment is worthwhile.
- Since your cosmetic dentist must remove a thin layer of enamel to affix the veneers, you will need to continue replacing them as they wear out.
Maintaining Your New Look
With either cosmetic option, you will need to pay close attention to maintenance and oral hygiene. After teeth whitening, you will need to limit darkly pigmented foods that will stain. These foods and beverages include red wine, coffee, tea, and berries. If you do enjoy these items, rinse your teeth with water as soon as possible.
Veneers offer greater stain resistance than teeth whitening and greater durability, but you will need to take care not to chip or break them. Veneers can withstand normal chewing and biting forces, but may chip if you chew popcorn kernels, ice, pens, or other hard items. Avoid using your teeth to open packages or hold items.
The Value of a Beautiful Smile
Investing in teeth whitening or veneers can be a significant opportunity to change how you feel about yourself and how others perceive you.
If you have felt uneasy about your teeth, you already know how this feeling impacts your social life and self-confidence. If you feel the need to hide your teeth, you may not share your smile as freely as you would like, whether in person or in photos.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cosmetic Dentistry
Is over-the-counter teeth whitening a viable alternative to professional products?
While most over-the-counter whitening products available in pharmacies and supermarkets are safe and effective, they take much longer to work. Strips, rinses, and toothpaste can only go so far. For a completely stain-free smile, we recommend professional whitening techniques.
Our teams at Stonington Dental Associates and Frenchtown Dental Associates proudly care for patients in eastern Connecticut and Rhode Island. We offer advanced procedures to help our patients achieve optimal oral health. With questions or to schedule your appointment, please get in touch with us today!