Teeth can become dull or discolored for many reasons. The foods and beverages we enjoy, smoking, prescription drugs, and even aging can all make our teeth dull, yellow, or gray. Two ways of getting a brighter, whiter smile are teeth whitening and dental veneers. Knowing the differences between teeth whitening vs. dental veneers can help determine which is best for someone considered either option.
Benefits of Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is ideal for people who have healthy, unrestored teeth and gums. Individuals with yellow tones to their teeth respond best. Teeth whitening lifts your mood and the mood of those around you. An attractive smile speaks volumes, indicating that you are intelligent and successful, honest and friendly, healthy and even wealthy. Discoloration, on the other hand, can make you appear older and less energetic than you really are.
Teeth whitening is not recommended for everyone. The best way to begin any teeth-whitening regimen is to schedule an appointment and talk to your dentist about the differences between in-office professional whitening and at-home whitening.
Learn more about teeth whitening at Impact Dental here.
Benefits of Dental Veneers
A dental veneer is a hard coating that completely covers the front of an individual tooth. Because veneers are purely cosmetic, they are used only on the front most teeth that are visible rather than the molars situated toward the back of the mouth.
Veneers are made of either porcelain or composite filling material bonded directly to the tooth’s surface. With porcelain veneers, the dentist will make impressions of the teeth and the veneers are custom made for each tooth. Composite veneers are applied and then shaped or “sculpted” by the dentist. With either type of veneer, the patient receives a natural-looking, custom-made “shell” that covers each tooth. Veneers are not permanent and will need eventual replacing, but they will give you a bright, white smile for many years.
Learn more about dental veneers at Impact Dental here.
Teeth Whitening vs. Veneers: What Problems Can They Solve?
Teeth whitening treatments do exactly that—they whiten teeth. They tend to work best for yellowing and stains caused by food and drink. Some grey or brown discoloration is harder for typical bleaching solutions to eliminate. For more stubborn staining, veneers might be a better option. With dental veneers, a patient can even choose the exact shade of white they would like their teeth to be. But brightening teeth is just one of the uses for veneers. They can also fix issues like chipped or cracked teeth, uneven spacing and gaps, and crooked teeth. They are custom made “tooth covers,” formed to correct or cover up any irregularities.
Teeth Whitening vs. Veneers: Which One is Right for You?
Veneers are costly but last a long time. They also can resolve a number of dental issues at once – chipped teeth, uneven spacing, and discoloration. But having them put on will permanently change the teeth’s enamel. There’s no going back.
Professional teeth whitening is routine, safe, and effective. The risks are minimal and the cost is reasonable. However, the procedure won’t address issues like crooked teeth or gaps. And, you may have to have it done every few years
Any cosmetic decision is best made by weighing the factors that are most important to the patient. Deciding on teeth whitening vs. veneers is no different. Discussing your options with your dentist at Impact Dental will help you decide what makes the most sense for you!
Contact Impact Dental Care for All of Your Dental Needs
At Impact Dental Care, we provide a full range of dental services in Lorton, Stafford, and Woodbridge. We take care of most of your dental needs in-house, including dental bridges and dental implants. We have sedation certified dentist, so sleep dentistry is always an option. We are dedicated to provide excellent service, quality care, and patient convenience. Give us a call and we will give you a free 30 minutes consultation session with the dentist. Click here to learn more and to set up an appointment.
