When you have discolored teeth, you may find yourself wanting to hide your smile when you should be showing it off. Luckily, there are multiple treatment options out there to take care of discolored teeth. Dr. Paul Bowersox discusses the options for cosmetic dentistry at his Westminster, MD dental office.
Professional Teeth Whitening
This is what you probably think of when you think of teeth whitening. Professional teeth whitening is superior to over the counter options. The whitening products you can get at the drugstore are often one size fits all. You often see results that are uneven and risk sensitivity in your soft tissue if the bleaching agent comes into contact with it.
At our office, we offer multiple tooth whitening options with Opalescence. These include Opalescence, Opalescence Treswhite Supreme™, Opalescence BOOST. With this wide range of options, we can offer both in-office and take-home whitening treatment. In-office treatment is ideal if you need whiter teeth fast, such as for a wedding or other event. Take-home whitening is a more gradual process.
When you’re looking for a whiter smile, we’ll have a consultation first. We’ll discuss your cosmetic goals to assess which whitening option is the best for your needs. In-office procedures can give you a whiter smile in about an hour. Take-home kits can give you results after a day, but ideal results often happen throughout the course of a week or two.
Porcelain Veneers
Not all discoloration can be taken care of with traditional whitening techniques. Stains that come from genetics or certain medications may resist even prescription-grade whitening gel. Porcelain veneers offer a quality alternative. Veneers are made of high-quality dental ceramic and go over the front and sides of a tooth. They’re engineered to be stain-resistant and durable.
When you get veneers, a small portion of your tooth structure is removed. We want to make sure the veneers lay flush with the rest of your smile. Impressions are taken and sent for the veneers to be custom-made. When they’re back, we’ll fit them to your teeth to make sure they’re comfortable and look natural. Once you’re satisfied, they’ll be permanently bonded to the teeth.
Dental Bonding
If you’re looking for a solution that’s more economical or aren’t ready to commit to a permanent restoration, dental bonding may be the pick for you. The bonding material is made of a composite resin that’s color-matched to the shade you desire. It’s molded to mimic the natural shape of your tooth and can take care of cosmetic chips as well.
When you get dental bonding, a minimal amount of the tooth structure will be removed to ensure the material adheres to the tooth. It’s molded to the tooth so that it looks natural. Once you’re set with the way it looks, it’ll be hardened with a special light. We then polish the resin so that it matches the sheen of natural teeth.
Westminster, Maryland Cosmetic Dentistry
Are you ready to get a whiter smile you want to show off? Call us today or schedule an appointment online.