Teeth may grow duller, yellower, or stained as you age. Sometimes the foods and drinks you consume cause this dental discoloration. Other dental patients may see their smiles’ brightness diminish due to aging or other factors outside their control.
Regardless, if you are unhappy with the color of your teeth, your dentist can help you whiten them. Schedule a cosmetic consult with your dentist to find a treatment plan that will work with your unique smile. Read on to find four methods of whitening your teeth that your dentist may suggest at your consultation.
4 Teeth Whitening Treatments from Your Dentist
Professional Whitening Services
Traditional oral hygiene at home can get rid of surface stains on your teeth. But discoloration that penetrated deep into the tooth enamel cannot be reached with your toothbrush and toothpaste. Your dentist can give you targeted whitening treatment when you schedule an appointment.
With one in-office session, your dentist can brighten your tooth color by several shades. The dentist will apply a whitening gel to the teeth and use a special light to activate the bleaching agents.
With this supervision, you can get the unique results that you desire for a beautiful and natural finish. They will minimize uncomfortable side effects like tooth sensitivity and gum irritation too.
If you prefer, you can also receive a take-home version that features trays filled with whitening gel. When worn over the teeth as directed, you can gradually achieve your ideal tooth color.
Dental Bonding Treatment
Patients can also get a brighter and more even appearance in their teeth with dental bonding. This cosmetic dental treatment uses composite resin which a dentist sculpts on the affected teeth. They cure it so that it remains in place to finish the procedure.
The tooth-colored resin allows patients to cover and enhance discoloration in their smiles. Its malleability helps a dentist target specific stains on the teeth for a smoother finish.
Patients should note that bonding can stain if you do not pay attention to your smile. With proper care though, this treatment should boost the look of your teeth for three to ten years.
Porcelain Veneers
Dentists can give patients long-lasting smile enhancement with porcelain veneers. These fixtures feature hard shells that attach to the front of a patient’s teeth to build a straighter and whiter smile.
They construct veneers on a personalized basis for each patient. So you can count on a final look that will suit your unique smile. The durable shells and secure bonding ensure the veneers will remain in place for fifteen or more years if you follow aftercare instructions from your dentist.
Dental Crowns
You might recognize dental crowns as a restorative dental treatment. But these ceramic caps have cosmetic dental benefits as well. Like veneers, dentists construct crowns on a custom-made basis. This means that they can factor in the patient’s smile aesthetic goals with these caps too.
The cap can fit over an affected tooth and seal into place with dental cement. It covers the severe discoloration, brightening the tooth’s appearance. This can last for fifteen years or more.