Are you looking to give your teeth a whiter, healthier, and more refreshed look? Teeth whitening and porcelain dental veneers are two effective and popular treatment options that can accomplish those goals. Dr. Michael Kosdon utilizes some of the most advanced materials and dental techniques to perform teeth whitening and porcelain veneer procedures here at our practice, and he has beautifully renewed the smiles of many patients with these state-of-the-art treatments. With that in mind, how do you know which treatment option is best for your unique needs?
First, we’ll take a look at the benefits of teeth whitening and porcelain dental veneers and compare their advantages:
Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening procedures offer a minimally-invasive way to lighten the color of your teeth by several shades for a whiter, brighter appearance. Also referred to as teeth bleaching, in-office whitening treatment oxygenates the teeth to reverse discoloration. The process typically takes about one hour and results are often immediately apparent. While teeth whitening can have a significant effect on the appearance of your teeth, there are some things to consider before undergoing this treatment. Teeth whitening will likely not be effective for teeth that are suffering from extremely deep stains that go through to the underlying layers of dentin. Plus, some types of teeth discoloration cannot be corrected with bleaching. Patients who undergo this procedure will also need to have any gum disease, tooth decay, or other issues affecting the health of their teeth treated beforehand. It’s important to remember that the results of teeth whitening are not permanent; however, good dental hygiene and at-home maintenance whitening kits can keep the results going for longer periods of time.
While many patients are candidates for teeth whitening, those who may not be may benefit from treatment with porcelain veneers, which can address many of the issues that teeth whitening cannot.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers can actually serve a number of purposes. These thin, custom-designed ceramic shells can mask the appearance of deep stains and give the teeth a much whiter and healthier look, as well as correct aesthetic imperfections such as chips, gaps, and other issues. Porcelain dental veneers cover only the visible portion of the tooth. They are completely customized for the best possible fit and appearance, and are designed to provide a seamless, natural-looking blend with surrounding teeth.
For teeth that are affected by deep stains and discolorations, porcelain veneers can often be a good option. Once the veneers are created by our experienced ceramist, they can be color-tinted to enhance the whiteness of your teeth. The veneers are placed onto the teeth with a durable cement and can last for decades with the proper care.
Porcelain veneer procedures are more invasive than teeth whitening, and a certain amount of the original tooth structure may need to be removed in order to achieve the best and most natural-looking fit for the veneer; however, porcelain veneer treatments can often be ideal procedures for patients who would like to address more severe cosmetic dental issues and for those who are looking for more long-term results.
The best way to determine whether teeth whitening or porcelain veneer treatment is better for your needs is to come in for a comprehensive oral evaluation and consultation with Dr. Kosdon. He will take a thorough look at your teeth and talk with you about your options. Both of these treatments have proven time and time again to provide patients with beautiful results and a winning smile!
Contact Dr. Michael Kosdon
If you have questions, or if you would like to schedule a consultation, please contact Dr. Kosdon today.