Having discolored teeth can make you worry about trying to hide your smile instead of wanting to show it off. You shouldn’t have to spend your time finding ways to hide your smile. Dr. Shawna Hoffert of Red Maple Dental, a dentist in Asheville, NC, explains the various options you have for getting a whiter smile.
Professional Teeth Whitening
This is what you probably think of when you think of getting your teeth whitened. Professional teeth whitening comes with much better results than whitening products you can get in a drugstore. Over the counter teeth whitening options are usually one size fits all. Without a good fit, you may get uneven results or develop gum sensitivity if the gums accidentally come into contact with the bleaching agent.
With professional teeth whitening, we’ll take dental impressions of your smile to make custom whitening trays. They fit the contours of your teeth for an even application and to ensure the bleaching gel doesn’t come into contact with soft tissues in your mouth. You’ll have a professional-grade whitening gel that you’ll deposit into these trays.
Since every person is different, the length of time for your treatment will vary. During a personal consultation, Dr. Hoffert will determine how long your treatment should run. It’s spread out over several days or weeks, with you wearing the trays for a few hours during the day or overnight. Wearing them at night may help you get the most ideal results.
Porcelain Veneers
Not all tooth discoloration can be treated through traditional whitening methods. For instance, a discolored tooth that’s “dead” or teeth that are stained from medication can be resistant to normal methods. Porcelain veneers provide an alternative option. They’re thin shells made of high-quality dental ceramic that go over the front and sides of your tooth. Veneers are designed to be both durable and stain-resistant.
For veneers, a small amount of your tooth structure is removed to make room for them. Impressions will be taken of those teeth so that the veneers can be customized for your smile. Once they’re made, Dr. Hoffert will fit them on your teeth and ensure they’re comfortable and look the way you’d like. Once you’re satisfied, the veneers will be permanently bonded to your teeth.
Dental Bonding
If you’re looking for a more economical option or aren’t ready to commit to a permanent solution, dental bonding is a good choice. The bonding material is made from a biocompatible resin that can be color-matched to the rest of your teeth. The bonding material is also malleable and can be shaped to take care of minor chips you may have in your teeth as well.
A small amount of tooth structure is also removed in this process. We want to make sure the bonding material adheres as well as possible. Once you’re happy with the color and how it’s shaped on your tooth, a special light will be used to cure and harden it. It’s then polished to match the natural sheen of the rest of your teeth.
Whitening Teeth at Your Asheville, North Carolina Dentist
Are you ready to get the whiter smile of your dreams? Call us or schedule an appointment online.