When it comes to smile whitening solutions many people aren’t sure where to start. Many of our patients, at Northstar Dental, ask us if dental veneers or teeth whitening is the right way to go? In our article, we’ll discuss this and more. We’ll cover:
-Can my stained teeth be whitened? Find out if whitening will help your stained front teeth.
-Should you whiten teeth before getting veneers? Your dentists can help you decide!
-Are dental veneers worth it? Veneers are an excellent cosmetic solution to brighten any smile.
-Is it safe to whiten teeth at home? We’ll make sure you’re informed about all options!
Our self-esteem is absolutely affected by how we perceive ourselves, even our outward selves. Our smile and appearance can have a definite effect on our mood and on the way we function in our social and business relationships. Common conditions that have a negative impact on our smile are “gummy” smiles, cracked or broken teeth, missing teeth, and discolored teeth. When it comes to discolored teeth, many people consider teeth whitening.
Each patient that comes to us for teeth whitening will be evaluated on their own distinctions and specific needs. If you are interested in learning more about teeth whitening, our cosmetic dentists will find out everything they can about your personal needs and wants to see whether or not you are a good candidate for teeth whitening. At times, stains that are only found on the surface of the teeth can be removed with a good cleaning. However, if stains are found deeper and are affecting the structure of the tooth, a different approach will be considered in the patient’s cosmetic makeover. Regardless, we know that any tooth stain is unwelcome.
Will teeth whitening work if my front teeth are stained?
If you are considering teeth whitening, you may be resentful that your teeth have stains in the first place. Teeth with stains can be caused for several reasons. Certain medications, trauma to teeth, root fillings, foods, and beverages can cause teeth to stain and discolor over time. If you’ve received silver amalgam fillings years ago, they may be leaking out silver salts onto your teeth. Also, when a tooth suffers trauma or if the nerve dies, it may become dark gray in appearance because of bleeding within the tooth or debris within the pulp of the tooth. Finally, if a child was given certain medications as a child, like Tetracycline, while their teeth were forming, those teeth may become permanently discolored.
Teeth whitening is an option for stained teeth, but patients must be aware that teeth whitening cannot rectify all stained teeth. Professional teeth whitening procedures do have limitations on treating these stains effectively.
Veneers: The Solution to Stained Teeth
For those looking to whiten stained teeth, we must be conservative with conventional teeth whitening. Dental veneers or teeth whitening are both possible for stained teeth, but each patient is different. It’s possible for traditional whitening to worsen stains. On the other hand, dental veneers are an excellent solution for stained teeth. Veneers simply bond to the front surface of given teeth. Because of the way veneers work, they’re a perfect option for covering up and correcting flaws like stained teeth.
What’s the solution? Dental veneers or teeth whitening?
Teeth Whitening, or bleaching, cannot solve all stained teeth problems. That is why our cosmetic dentists offer dental veneers.
If your teeth can not be whitened using traditional teeth whitening procedures and if you have other concerns with a shape, spacing or size of your teeth, you may want to consider dental veneers.
Dental veneers are capable of fixing a myriad of problems. They are wonderful at creating super white smiles or at replacing old fillings that have begun to look aged. Cosmetic dental veneers are bonded to your teeth, and they do not discolor, nor fade. They are almost identical to natural teeth in size, shape, color, and translucency, so your teeth with look natural and spectacular once the procedure is finished. If you think teeth whitening will not work for you, you might consider cosmetic veneers. To find out more about teeth whitening, contact us to set up a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dental Veneers or Teeth Whitening
Knowing whether to get dental veneers or teeth whitening can be tricky. We’re more than happy to help you navigate the decision. When you visit us, be sure to communicate your concerns and desires, and we’ll try our hardest to ensure you get the results you want!
Throughout the process, we hear a handful of patient questions, all of which we’re happy to answer. However, we thought we could save you some time by answering some of the most frequently asked questions here. Below are common questions about either dental veneers or teeth whitening.
Are dental veneers permanent?
While dental veneers aren’t quite “permanent,” they can last a very long time. Preserving cosmetic fixes often comes down to effective home-care. Taking care of your oral health at-home is key to making the most out of your new smile options. Brush twice daily and floss every day to keep your veneers healthy, white, and shining brightly.
Can you whiten your teeth at-home?
Many have heard of at-home teeth whitening options. Some are more DIY and others are store bought. However, it’s important to be educated about the options out there! Baking soda, lemon juice, and other household items are often touted as effective teeth whitening methods. Similarly, store bought teeth whitening kits claim to be more effective than they are. However, the most effective method by far is through your local dentist. Household items are significantly less effective than kits gained through the dentist. The problem with store-bought kits is that they have a less concentrated whitening solution than dentists can administer. They are also not custom-made, so the solution often comes into contact with the user’s gums, irritating them, often leading to discomfort.
In our office, we offer at-home teeth whitening kits that are custom-made to fit your specific mouth. You can use these kits as frequently or infrequently as you’d like, thus allowing you to customize the specific shade of your teeth.
If you have any questions, concerns, or just want to make contact with us, give us a call at 402-742-0000, or make an appointment with one of our gentle dentists using the form below.
The information on this page was written by Dr. Michael Burbach.
This gentle Lincoln, NE dentists says: “I am committed to providing my patients with the ultimate in dental health care, by using the latest techniques and equipment that will allow comfort during dental procedures. My team and I at Northstar Dental are dedicated to providing you with a comfortable and safe environment for both adults and children. My goal as a dentist is to provide you and your family with high quality and gentle dental care so you can have a healthy mouth for a healthy life.”
You can schedule with this Lincoln, NE dentist, or his partners, online 24/7 at his North Lincoln Location of Nebraska Family Dentistry. This “dentist near me” serves the local communities close to Northstar Dental in Waverly, Davey, Raymond, Garland, Ceresco, Greenwood, and Malcom.
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