natural teeth whitening If your desire is to improve your smile, there are many options available for you. Some options are very simple cosmetic adjustments while some may require complete mouth reconstruction. Teeth whitening, especially with competent teeth whitening dentist, and dental veneers are two of the more well-known treatments for boosting your smile. In order to know the right treatment for you among these two, you need to know how they work.
How Teeth Whitening Works
Teeth whitening, especially carried out by a qualified teeth whitening dentist, is a cosmetic dentistry procedure whereby bleaching agents, like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, are used for whitening your teeth. It is also known as tooth bleaching and fixes tooth discoloration through the removal of stains and reversal of the effects of usual corrosion of the teeth.
Even though office whitening guarantees highly recommended results, home whitening products are available over the counter and through teeth whitening dentist prescription. The whitening strength of primary over-the-counter products is limited because of the low concentration of active ingredients (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide).
The whitening option selected by your teeth whitening dentist is dependent on the level of discoloration you are experiencing. Usually, an in-office whitening lasts for about an hour and within this period, a tooth whitening gel is spread on the teeth’s surface for 15 minutes and this can be repeated more than once within the hour. In order to speed up the process, your dentist may utilize a high-intensity light and the whitening treatment produces immediate results in most cases.
Even though you achieve immediate results, teeth bleaching may not permanently fix discoloration. Your teeth whitening dentist may recommend take-home whitening trays so that you can maximize and prolong the results. Furthermore, you should avoid foods and drinks with a high tendency of staining your teeth.
How Dental Veneers Work
Dental veneers are shells of porcelain having the same color as the teeth fixed on the tooth’s surface to solve many dental problems including uneven alignment, corroded tooth enamel, discoloration, cracks, among others. Their placement necessitates the reshaping of the teeth hosting them.
The procedure of veneer administration varies from one condition to another. Usually, it requires about two visits to the dental office within a period of two weeks and each session can last many hours. During your initial visit, you will go through a diagnostic analysis. This will confirm that there are no dental issues, like tooth decay, gum disease, etc., which can jeopardize your treatment. In addition, your dentist will also use your initial visit to select an ideal veneer color from the shade chart. Your dentist may choose to make use of outside laboratories for the purpose of fabricating the veneer. And this may require a temporary veneer before the permanent one is ready. Your dentist can also use in-office CAD/CAM technology to produce the veneer immediately. And this will ensure that you get everything done in one visit.
The real procedure involves the use of local anesthesia so that your discomfort will minimize. After your dentist administers the veneers. He will give you instructions on how to manage them so that they can last longer. He will ask you to stay away from excessively abrasive toothpaste and chewing hard objects. If a competent dentist handles your treatment and you properly maintain your result. It can last for up to 15 years or more before thinking about any replacement.
Are You A Teeth Whitening Candidate?
As a minimally invasive process, teeth whitening process does not possess strict conditions for its eligibility. However, there are some dental issues, such as gum disease and tooth decay, that must be fixed before whitening can be carried out. If whitening agents are applied to teeth that are unhealthy, it may lead to severe pain. In addition, if your case is intrinsic staining (deep tooth staining), which has affected the essential dentin layers. Bleaching may not give you the result you want. All discoloration issues, especially those linked to tetracycline, cannot be corrected by whitening and other options may be recommended.
Are You A Dental Veneer Candidate?
The health status of your teeth will determine your eligibility for a dental veneer. If you are battling with any underlying dental diseases. You may not be fit for the procedure until those issues are fixed. Your dentist may suggest an alternative treatment if he discovers that veneers are not what you need. For example, if a mere discoloration is your problem, you may need a dental veneer. Which can be costlier than whitening alternatives because your natural teeth will alter permanently. As a basic consideration, your dentist may recommend minimally invasive alternatives. In order to fix your problem with the right approach.
Cost of Whitening vs Veneers
Contrasting whitening and veneer costs is not impartial because they are not the same procedures. Even though they both have aesthetic benefits, veneers offer extra benefits that whitening cannot offer. Whitening is an impermanent treatment while veneers can last for up to 15 years or more if properly maintained.
Usually, the cost of professional cleaning is around $650. It can be more or less depending on other factors. You can purchase O-T-C whitening products for $50, more or less. But the result cannot be as highly effective as in-office whitening and will only last for a short time.
Veneers happen to be on the high side but with more lasting period. You can get composite veneers for between $200 and $1500 for one tooth. While porcelain veneers cost around $950 and $2500 for one tooth. Dental veneers can be costly if you are observing from a short term angle. But if you look at it from the long-term angle, you will discover that it is cheaper.
On A Final Note
It is very important for you to discuss with your teeth whitening dentist. In order to know the highly recommended option for you. He will guide and properly evaluate you. So that he can work out for you the right treatment plan that will meet your unique need.