Cosmetic Dental Services: Options for Whiter Teeth

Many people look to cosmetic dental services when they want a whiter smile. Though teeth whitening from a dentist is an excellent choice for many patients, some patients get better results with other options such as dental veneers, dental bonding, or a combination of treatments. If you are considering teeth whitening and want to know which option is right for you, here is an overview of the leading cosmetic dental services that whiten teeth.

Teeth whitening

How it works

Teeth whitening uses a chemical solution to remove stains and discolorations from teeth. Though many teeth whitening kits and products are available in stores, teeth whitening from a dentist is the safest and most effective. While some dentists offer teeth whitening in the office, many provide patients with customized trays to whiten their teeth at home. These are professional kits that are stronger than other store-bought options.

Who should consider teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is ideal for someone who already takes good care of their teeth and is good with following procedure guidelines at home. It is important to note that teeth whitening does not affect certain types of stains. Any discolorations on bonding or dental work will be unaltered. Also, teeth whitening will not work on intrinsic stains—discolorations caused by internal sources such as aging, genetics, or medication use.

Dental Bonding

How it works

Dental bonding is one of the cosmetic dental services used to fix chips and cracks in teeth. The dentist applies a tooth-colored composite resin to the damaged tooth and shapes it to fix the imperfection. The bonding is then set with a curing light. Bonding can also cover deep tooth discolorations.

Who should consider dental bonding?

Those with intrinsic stains that will not respond to teeth whitening should consider dental bonding. The dentist can match the composite resin bonding material to the patient's natural tooth color to cover up the intrinsic stain. If the patient is considering teeth whitening for their extrinsic stains, the whitening procedure should be first so the bonding can match the newly lightened tooth color. Dental bonding does not respond to teeth whitening procedures.

Dental Veneers

How it works

Dental veneers are thin tooth-colored shells that a dentist bonds over the front surface of teeth, usually consisting of porcelain or translucent zirconia. They typically cover the front of the top and bottom teeth that show when a person smiles. A dentist can shave down the patient's natural teeth to accommodate the veneers, which they then cement to the teeth. The result is usually a bright white, even, and uniform smile.

Who should consider dental veneers?

This treatment is ideal for patients with intrinsic staining and other cosmetic tooth issues. Those with unevenness, chips, cracks, and other tooth imperfections, along with discoloration, find this an attractive solution for all those problems. It is important to note that veneers can be spendy and will need to be replaced at some point. However, with proper care, veneers can last 10 to 15 years before they need replacing.