What Are The Factors To Consider Between These Two Dental Treatments?
If you’re wanting to improve the appearance of your smile, you may be wondering which treatment option is best for you. Two of the fastest and easiest ways to enhance the look of your smile are teeth whitening and porcelain veneers. These two very different treatments each offer their own advantages and drawbacks, and neither is always the best choice for everyone. If you’re considering one of these treatments or are unhappy with the way your smile looks, talk with your Washington Heights dental office about which treatment option may be right for you.
Which Treatment Option Should I Consider?
If you have good oral health overall, and your primary concern is cosmetic issues such as a tooth staining or mildly crooked teeth, your Washington Heights dentist may utilize cosmetic dentistry procedures such as professional tooth whitening treatments or porcelain veneers. These treatments can work together and by themselves to make dramatic, striking improvements to the appearance of your teeth.
How Does Tooth Whitening Work?
There are many over the counter tooth whitening products available on the market. These products intended for home use can sometimes be effective for mild staining or discoloration, but don’t work for every situation, and may not offer long-lasting results. A better option for many patients is to get a professional tooth whitening at your Washington Heights dentist office. In 1-2 appointments, your dentist will apply a hydrogen peroxide based formula directly on your teeth and leave it on for a certain period of time before it is carefully rinsed off. For many patients, this is as little as 15 minutes, during which time you remain comfortably in your dentist’s office.
There are many different types of professional tooth whitening procedures, but many cosmetic dentists utilize activation lamps and other cutting edge methods which enable the whitening gel to penetrate deeply into the teeth for beautiful, long-lasting results. Most dentists will recommend repeating the procedure a few times over a certain number of weeks or months for the best results. You’ll leave your Washington Heights dentist office with a bright white, confident smile.
Professional teeth whitening procedures work best for stains that have built up over time as a result of pigmented foods and beverages such as red wine, coffee, and tea. Dental prosthetics, including crowns, bridges, and veneers, cannot be whitened with home or professional methods.
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are extremely thin, shell-like dental prosthetics that are custom made to fit perfectly over your natural teeth. Veneers can be used to cover anywhere between one and all of your existing teeth. They are most commonly used for specific dental issues, which include:
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- Intrinsic tooth discoloration resulting from medication, illness, or genetics
- Teeth that are misshapen or have been worn down
- Cracked or chipped teeth
- Uneven or slightly misaligned teeth
- Treating small gaps between teeth
More than other type of dental prosthetic, porcelain veneers can turn unsightly teeth into a stunning smile. Many people love that the procedure only requires two visits to their Washington Heights dentist.
At your first visit, your dentist will take an impression of your teeth that will be uses as a reference for the veneers. A very small portion of each tooth will be removed, and then your dentist will take a final impression that the lab will utilize when they create your custom veneers.
At your second visit, which is typically about two weeks later, the dentist will take the custom made veneers and carefully glue them to your teeth. You will leave the office with a perfect, bright white smile.
Can I Combine Tooth Whitening & Veneers?
If you have both tooth staining and damaged teeth, your Washington Heights dentist may recommend a professional teeth whitening treatment first to address the staining on your natural teeth, and then color match veneers for the damaged teeth. This is the most cost-effective way to treat when there is discoloration and other cosmetic flaws that a patient wants addressed. Talk with your dentist to find out which dental procedures may be right for you.
Find a Top Rated Cosmetic Dentist In Washington Heights
If you want to improve the appearance of your smile, talk with the experienced dentists at Esthetix Dental Spa. We offer better oral health and a great smile, which can increase your quality of life and boost your confidence. Our friendly dentists are ready to serve you at our convenient location! Call us today to get started on your perfect smile.
Esthetix Dentist, NYC’s Dental Implant & Cosmetic Specialist
285 Fort Washington Ave,
New York, NY 10032
Phone: (212) 795-9675
Website: http://esthetixdentalspa.com/