Teeth discoloration is when the teeth no longer look brighter or whiter as they should – they might develop dark or white spots. Some causes of teeth discoloration include poor dental hygiene, chewing or smoking tobacco, consuming foods and drinks like wines, colas, coffee, tea, pasta, etc.
Teeth discoloration ruins your smile. Fortunately, whitening and porcelain veneers can help enhance a whiter, brighter smile. By comparing the two, you can easily determine your best solution. Read on to understand the difference between teeth whitening and porcelain veneers.
Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening is a quick, affordable, and non-invasive way to enhance a smile. Most people value it because of its affordability. Teeth whitening works best for discolorations caused by consuming highly pigmented beverages like coffee, tea, red wine, etc.
This treatment involves a one-hour whitening session at a cosmetic spa, dentist’s office, or using a home-use bleaching kit purchased from a local drug store.
However, visiting this page can help you find the right clinic for teeth whitening sessions that would be best for you. The dentist will use a lamp to activate the hydrogen peroxide bleaching agent to help accelerate the bleaching process. This procedure is safe, takes 90 minutes, and causes little discomfort.
Some teeth whitening methods might cause severe side effects like gum irritation and tooth sensitivity. To ensure tooth whitening is worth your money and time, consult your dentist before purchasing an over-the-counter-tooth whitening kit.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin-ultra shells cemented over the facial surface of your teeth to change their size, shape, color, and length.
Veneers treatment starts with a consultation whereby the dentist assesses your condition and designs veneers that fit you best. The next step involves removing a small amount of enamel from your teeth so that porcelain veneers lay flat when placed.
Your dentist will then fix a set of temporary veneers in waiting for your designed veneers. After that, permanent veneers are placed, and now you can leave the office with a confident, stunning smile. Porcelain veneers can solve most, or even all, of your cosmetic dental problems like:
- Gaps in the teeth
- Unusually shaped teeth
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Smaller than average teeth
- Uneven coloring or severe discoloration that can’t be solved by whitening
Cost of Whitening vs. Porcelain Veneers
The average cost of whitening is $650. Cheap over-the-counter options can cost less than $100, but the results are always short-lived. They offer short-term smile makeover solutions, especially for one-day events like weddings or valentine’s celebrations.
In comparison, porcelain veneers cost $900 – $2,500 per tooth. They are costly but provide additional benefits like correcting more severe smile issues like crowding, uneven teeth, cracks, chips, etc. It would be best to consult your dentist for diagnosis to help determine which solution best fits your needs and budget.
Combining Whitening and Porcelain Veneers
If you have structurally damaged and stained teeth, you can receive teeth whitening treatment first. This helps treat the staining or discoloration on your natural teeth, hence matching the new porcelain veneers to that shade. This is the most cost-effective way to treat a smile with cosmetic flaws like extrinsic discoloration or staining.
Whitening or Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are expensive but last longer and can resolve various dental issues like discoloration, uneven spacing, and chipped teeth. However, they permanently change your teeth’s enamel. But with whitening, the risks are few, and the cost is reasonable. However, it might not work, depending on the type of discoloration.
The procedure doesn’t address issues like gaps or crooked teeth; you might have it done every few years. At the same time, professional teeth whitening is safe and effective.
Please make your cosmetic decision after weighing these factors. Most importantly, discussing with your dentist can help you decide the best option for you.
Prevent Teeth Discoloration
Taking care of your teeth involves honing healthy habits. You can prevent tooth discoloration with only a few simple lifestyle changes. For example, consider reducing your coffee intake and finding an alternative drink. You can also seek help to quit smoking because it severely affects your dental and overall health.
Moreover, up your dental hygiene game by flossing and brushing daily, and get dental check-ups every six months. Finally, consult your dentist if your teeth appear to have an abnormal color that persists despite your best dental hygiene efforts.
With this guide, you can now tell the difference between teeth whitening and porcelain veneers. You can now make an informed decision when seeking a solution for discolored teeth to win that striking smile you have been yearning for.
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