Being confident in your smile goes a long way, and there are several ways to give your smile a new, refreshed look. One of those ways is through teeth whitening techniques, and another is through veneers. Sometimes, people think that it is just a matter of choice. But, teeth whitening and veneers are not so much competing solutions as they are different solutions for different cosmetic challenges. Dental Health International can diagnose what is behind your tooth discolorations and the pros and cons of teeth whitening vs. veneers.
Teeth Whitening
It is important to understand what teeth whitening is and is not, to understand whether or not teeth whitening is the right solution for getting whiter teeth. While some cosmetic treatments to teeth also address underlying disease and decay, teeth whitening has one function: to bleach the surface of your teeth to change the color of stained teeth. Discoloration can happen for several reasons, including the weakening of the tooth itself due to decay.
We recommend teeth whitening when teeth are generally healthy but not at your desired whiteness. While there are many over-the-counter solutions for tooth whitening, the best results come from getting teeth whitening directly from your dentist. Not only are we able to offer stronger and faster-acting whitening solutions, but we can do so in a consistent manner that is in a safe and protected environment. At home, solutions can be challenging to do correctly, and many of our patients prefer having a professional ensure that everything is done the best way possible.
Some benefits for doing teeth whitening instead of veneers include:
- The process is neither invasive nor permanent in that you are not having portions of your teeth drilled or filed down
- Tooth whitening is usually more cost-effective than getting veneers
- We can maintain your whiteness over time with continued touch-ups
- Whitening treatments do not take as long as getting veneers
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are a procedure that involves removing the front portion of a tooth and replacing it with a white material made of materials like porcelain, resin, and ceramic. While some people decide to get veneers for purely cosmetic reasons, veneers are also a solution when the tooth’s surface is suffering from decay. The tooth is filed down, and then the veneer is placed on top of it. To maintain the appearance, patients need to have veneers for life.
Veneers make great solutions for not just making your teeth appear white but also filling the space left from decayed or cracked teeth that would otherwise give a tooth an unsightly appearance. Veneers can also be used to provide a tooth a complete look when it is partially chipped in some way. And fortunately, given the permanent nature of getting veneers, they are designed to last 20 years and beyond if they are taken care of.
Getting Whitening and Veneers Together
Veneers and whitening can be used together in some cases. Not everyone who wants to get veneers intends to have them on all of their teeth. Some people get veneers on the front teeth and leave the others where they are. But if you want to have a white smile without having all of your teeth down, you can get a whitening before getting your veneers. This means it will give your teeth without veneers a whiter, more natural look when sitting next to teeth with veneers.
Teeth Whitening vs. Veneers in Chelsea, MA
Ultimately, the right solution for your teeth depends on your preferences, appetite for different potential costs, and the condition of your teeth. We would love to see you and give you a consultation on your different options so you can decide what makes the most sense for you.
