If you have discolored teeth, you probably aren’t happy with them. After all, enamel looks better when it’s white, not yellow, brown, or gray. Luckily, cosmetic dental treatments can take care of this problem — especially teeth whitening and veneers. Depending on your situation, either of the two procedures could make your smile whiter and shinier. In fact, your local cosmetic dentist is here with the details. Read on to learn about teeth whitening and dental veneers, including which treatment is right for you.
What is Teeth Whitening?
Per its name, teeth whitening is a treatment that whitens your enamel. Most dental practices offer two forms of it: an in-office procedure or a take-home bleaching kit.
Done in-office, teeth whitening only takes one dental visit. It has your dentist apply bleaching gel to your tooth enamel, leading to a six-to-eight shades whiter smile!
In contrast, a take-home bleaching kit works over a longer period. To use it, you must wear gel-infused bleaching trays for a few hours daily over two weeks. The result is similar to an in-office treatment.
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are thin, ceramic layers that dentists bond to the front-facing parts of teeth. They hide various dental flaws, including stains, chips, cracks, fractures, and more. As such, they can transform several aspects of your smile at once!
Even better, the veneers’ porcelain material ensures the treatment looks lifelike and natural.
Which One is Right for My Smile?
When deciding whether to get whitening or veneers, you should review factors like:
- Each Treatment’s Use – Since teeth whitening literally whitens your enamel, it’s ideal for stains caused by foods and drinks. Meanwhile, veneers work well for stubborn stains and other problems that can only be hidden.
- Longevity of Results – Teeth whitening is a good option if you only need short-term results. It lasts six months to three years, depending on oral care. On the other hand, veneers can last up to 15 years with proper maintenance.
- Treatment Cost – Whether in the form of in-office treatment or a take-home kit, teeth whitening is a low-cost cosmetic procedure. In contrast, veneers tend to be one of the more expensive options.
Ultimately, you should consult your cosmetic dentist before committing to a treatment. That way, they can suggest what would work best for your stained smile.
About the Practice
Cove Choice Dental is based in Copperas Cove, TX. As led by our talented team of dentists, our practice provides excellent dental care for patients of all ages. To that end, we perform preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, as well as emergency dental care. Our office is also certified to provide dental sedation and TMJ therapies. For more information or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or call us at (254)-987-6777.