Do you have discoloration? If so, you may feel embarrassed about your smile and even take steps to hide it. Fortunately, we have professional options to help you obtain a brighter and more attractive smile. Depending on the cause and severity of your discoloration, we may recommend one of two cosmetic options. Do you need whitening or veneers?
What Causes Teeth Stains?
There are two different types of discoloration, each caused by very different factors. Extrinsic stains form on the surface of your tooth, caused by the foods and drinks we consume, such as berries, soda, tea, red wine, coffee, and fruit juice. Smoking and age can also lead to surface discoloration. Intrinsic stains form below the enamel, in the dentin. They can be the result of medication, injury to the tooth, or fluorosis. These are also known as permanent stains, as they sometimes respond poorly to traditional brightening methods.
Professional Teeth Whitening
We have two options for removing discoloration with teeth whitening. The office-based option involves placing a hydrogen peroxide gel onto the surface of the teeth, which remove stains in about one to two hours. Our home-based option involves taking home a set of custom-made trays and a bleaching gel. The patient fills the trays with gel and wears them for about 15 to 30 minutes per day. Optimal results take about a week.
Porcelain Veneers
Veneers allow our team to mask permanent stains that may not respond to our whitening procedures. We design and fabricate very thin shells of porcelain, which are attached to the front of the tooth with a powerful bonding agent. We can also use them to close gaps between teeth, reshape malformed or damaged teeth, and correct the appearance of minor alignment issues. If you have any questions about veneers or teeth whitening, then contact our team today.
