Veneers vs. teeth whitening: which one is right for you?
Veneers vs. teeth whitening: which one is right for you?
Teeth whitening vs veneers Bothell
Almost everyone desires a bright, white smile. However, many people find that their teeth aren’t as white as they would like. A variety of factors can alter the color of the teeth, leading to a discolored smile.
If you’d like a brighter smile, you have two main options: veneers and teeth whitening. How can you know which one is better for you?
Teeth whitening addresses organic staining
During a teeth whitening procedure, your dentist will apply a solution to the surface of your teeth. This may be activated with a special light, to help it work faster and more effectively. You will then receive a quick fluoride treatment to strengthen your teeth.
In general, teeth whitening works best on stains caused by organic materials. This includes many common substances, like coffee, tea, red wine, and curry. The teeth whitening gel is able to break down these organic molecules, which brightens the smile. It’s important to remember that you’ll likely experience additional staining over time, and you may need to return for repeat whitening procedures in the future if you want to maintain your results.
Teeth whitening may also be able to have an impact on teeth staining caused by the antibiotic tetracycline. Although it doesn’t always completely eliminate this staining, it can significantly reduce it.
For other causes of discoloration, teeth whitening may be less effective. For example, teeth that have experienced trauma may become permanently discolored, and whitening gels will not be able to affect this. The aging process also causes thinning of the enamel, leading to a yellowish appearance of the teeth. Whitening is not able to address this issue either.
Veneers address discoloration and other cosmetic issues
Veneers offer another way to get a whiter smile. These are thin porcelain shells that are bonded to the front of the teeth. They’re custom-created for each patient, and are generally applied only to the visible front teeth.
Veneers offer a way to address discoloration regardless of the cause. Because they cover up the surface of the teeth, there’s no type of discoloration that they can’t address. In addition, veneers can address other cosmetic issues at the same time, like chipped teeth, misshapen teeth, or teeth that are too small.
Veneers are permanent. This means that you won’t have to return in the future for any repeat procedures (except in the unlikely event that one of your veneers breaks). However, they do require the removal of a small amount of tooth enamel to place them, so patients need to feel comfortable with this idea in order to choose veneers. Additionally, veneers cost more than teeth whitening does. However, because you only need to have veneers placed once while whitening requires regular touch-ups, veneers could actually end up being the cheaper option over time.
Teeth whitening vs veneers Bothell
If you’re considering your options for addressing discoloration of your teeth, we invite you to schedule an appointment with Dr. Mulliken. After examining you and learning about your goals for your smile, he’ll be happy to give his professional recommendation about which option would likely give the results that you’re looking for. To schedule your appointment, please contact our front desk.