If you struggle with stained or chipped teeth and are looking for a way to brighten up your smile, you may be a good candidate for cosmetic teeth whitening or dental veneers. These cosmetic dentistry procedures are minimally invasive and work well to repair minor imperfections, allowing for an improved appearance in just a few office visits. Understanding the processes and benefits of both procedures and consulting with a professional cosmetic dentist can help you in determining the best option for your particular smile needs.
Professional Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening procedures are an ideal option for individuals with stained teeth due to lifestyle habits such as drinking coffee or smoking. While there are a variety of commercial toothpastes and whitening products on the market that work well to remove surface stains, a professional treatment can yield faster results due to the highly concentrated professional-strength bleaching gel that is utilized during the procedure. During an in-office bleaching procedure, the teeth are first cleaned with a polishing treatment in order to remove plaque from the tooth surfaces.
The mouth is then prepped with gauze and protective barriers to ensure that the gums, tongue and lips are protected from the bleaching solution. Once the mouth is prepped, the bleaching solution is applied to the teeth. The solution must stay on the teeth for at least 30 minutes for optimal whitening. In certain cases, lasers or curing lights may be utilized in order to activate the hydrogen peroxide bleaching agent. Results of professional whitening treatments can last as long as a year with proper home care and maintenance.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are thin shells that are placed directly over the teeth to correct imperfections such as cracks, chips, gaps and deep stains that cannot be remedied with bleaching treatments. Veneers are made with porcelain or combined composite materials and are commonly utilized on the top row of teeth. The entire procedure is typically completed within one to two office visits, with results that can last up to 20 years. During the veneers procedure, the dentist prepares the teeth by shaving down excess tooth material to ensure a proper fit and prevent bulkiness.
Once the teeth are prepared, the dentist will either complete the procedure by applying layers of composite material to the prepped teeth, curing the areas with a heated light and polishing the finished veneers. If the patient requires porcelain veneers, a mold of the teeth will be created and sent to a dental lab. Patients are then fitted with temporary teeth until their permanent veneers are ready. When the new teeth are ready for placement, the dentist will remove the temporary veneers and thoroughly clean the teeth to ensure the surface is free of debris. Finally, the dentist will prepare the tooth surface and permanently place the veneers with dental cement and a heated curing tool.
A Bright, Natural-Looking Smile
While stains and minor tooth imperfections are extremely common, these issues can often cause people to hide their smiles and feel uncomfortable about their appearances. Fortunately, today's dental technology offers simple and effective treatment solutions that allow for natural-looking, long-lasting results, allowing individuals to smile more with increased confidence. Talk to experts like Dansville Family Dental Care for more information.
Share10 March 2015
I have always brushed and flossed my teeth daily, but I still had the occasional cavity when I visited the dentist for a check-up. He told me it was normal to have a cavity on occasion and that I shouldn't let it stress me out too much. Well, I am not one to just accept any problem I am having, so I started looking into how to improve my oral hygiene even more. I had always thought mouthwash was just to improve your breath, but I found some that said they helped keep cavities away. I started using one every day before bed. I haven't had a cavity in two years now, and I think the mouth rinse is the reason! I created this blog to remind other people that even if they brush and floss regularly, they can always find ways to take even better care of their teeth.
