When you have discolored teeth, you may find yourself wanting to hide your smile when you should be showing it off. At Hamilton Dental Designs, a dentist in Allentown, PA, we offer a number of solutions for treating a discolored smile. Dr. Jose Gil highlights those options below.
Professional Teeth Whitening
When you think about getting a whiter smile at your dentist, it’s likely you think of professional teeth whitening. You can definitely tell the difference between professional and over the counter options. Drugstore whitening solutions are often one size fits all and can cause sensitivity. They also often have uneven or splotchy results.
At our office, we offer both in-office and take-home ZOOM! whitening solutions. In-office whitening is ideal to get whiter teeth fast, like if you have an event coming up. You can get a smile up to eight shades whiter in about an hour at our office. A whitening gel is applied to your teeth and a special light is then used to activate the bleaching agent in the gel.
Take-home teeth whitening is a more gradual option. Impressions will be taken of your teeth to create custom whitening trays. A professional-grade gel is included to put in the trays, which you’ll wear for a few hours each day for a number of weeks. Since they’re made for your teeth, they eliminate the risk of sensitivity by the bleaching agent coming into contact with soft tissue.
Porcelain Veneers
Not all tooth discoloration can be treated with traditional whitening techniques. Porcelain veneers offer a quality solution for discoloration caused by things like genetics or medication. Veneers are thin shells of dental ceramic that go over the front and sides of your teeth. The material is designed to be durable and stain-resistant to offer a long-lasting solution.
To get veneers, a small amount of tooth structure is removed. We want to make sure that the veneers lay flat and flush with the rest of your smile. Impressions are taken so that the veneers can be custom-made. When they’re ready, we’ll fit them to your teeth and make any small adjustments if needed. Once you’re satisfied, they’ll be permanently bonded to your teeth.
Dental Bonding
If you’re looking for an economical solution and aren’t ready to commit to a permanent restoration, dental bonding may be the choice for you. The bonding material is made of a composite resin that’s color-matched to the shade of white you’re looking for. The material is malleable, so you can treat cosmetic chips and cracks while whitening.
A minimal amount of tooth structure is removed to ensure the bonding material adheres to the tooth properly. It’s molded in the shape of your tooth to look natural. When you’re satisfied, the material is cured and hardened with a special light. It’s then polished to a natural sheen to match the rest of your smile.
Getting Whiter Teeth at Your Allentown, Pennsylvania Dentist
Get a smile that you’re proud to show off. Call us or schedule an appointment online.