Veneers vs Whitening: More Than One Option for Stained Teeth

There are times when professional tooth whitening is the perfect solution for your tooth discoloration. However, there are also times when no amount of whitening solution seems to do the trick. That doesn’t necessarily mean you have to suffer with a less-than-sparkling smile, though. There are other solutions available.One of the simplest and most effective solutions is dental veneers. With this easy, minimally invasive procedure, you can transform your entire smile so it’s not only bright and white but also more symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing.To determine whether veneers are the better option for you, take a look at this veneers vs. whitening guide.

What are dental veneers?

Dental veneers are a cosmetic dental solution for front-facing teeth that are slightly misaligned, misshapen, uneven, chipped, cracked, gapped, or discolored. The procedure involves your dentist fitting thin, tooth-like shells, often made from porcelain or ceramic, over your teeth to provide them with an even, healthy appearance.Porcelain veneers are perhaps the most common option, but there are also composite resin veneers, which are more affordable but look a bit less natural. In all cases, the veneers are custom-made to fit your mouth and colored to match the rest of your natural teeth.

Situations When Veneers May Be the Solution for Your Stained Teeth

Keep an eye out for these five signs that your best bet to combat tooth discoloration is to opt for dental veneers.

1. Your teeth are not responding to professional whitening.

The most obvious sign that you should consider veneers is that you’ve given professional tooth whitening a try, and it doesn’t seem to be doing anything for you.There are certain types of tooth discoloration that simply can’t be remedied by a whitening solution. No matter how many whitening treatments you receive, you’re not going to get the results you’re looking for.Fortunately, there is no discoloration that porcelain veneers can’t combat. They can provide your smile with a healthy glow regardless of the reason for the staining and discoloration on your natural teeth.

2. You have tooth discoloration from a root canal.

The big difference when it comes to veneers vs. whitening is that whitening is only capable of combating staining and discoloration on the tooth’s surface. If the discoloration is coming from deeper within the tooth, peroxide simply won’t cut it.A perfect example of when a tooth may become discolored from the inside is when you receive a root canal. Root canals require your dentist to enter the inner part of the tooth to remove infected dental pulp. This process is obviously rough on the tooth, and as a result can lead to a gray or brown appearance that whitening can’t remove.

3. You have discoloration from certain intrinsic sources.

Eating foods like tomato sauce and dark berries and drinking liquids like red wine and coffee can stain your teeth, which professional whitening treatments can easily remove. These are external or extrinsic stains.However, there are intrinsic sources that can cause a type of discoloration which is not surface level, making veneers the better choice.Some examples of those external sources would be excessive fluoride treatments and certain medications, such as antihistamines, blood pressure medications, some antipsychotics, and more.Sometimes you can simply stop taking these meds, but that’s not always possible. In those instances, the choice between veneers vs. whitening is a clear one.

4. You have discoloration from dental trauma.

A blackened tooth caused by a blow to the face cannot be remedied through professional whitening. The tooth's darkened color results from internal damage to the dental pulp, sort of like a bruise. Whitening is able to remove surface-level staining only.There are instances in which the discolored tooth can heal, but it’s also fairly common that it either remains darkened or even worsens and must be extracted. For this reason, it’s important to see a dentist about any dental trauma you may have experienced.

5. You have other imperfections you’d like to fix.

Veneers can offer a solution for more than just discolored and stained teeth. They can treat a variety of cosmetic issues that might make you feel self-conscious about your smile.If you’re looking for a way to tackle discoloration, chipped, slightly crooked, unevenly sized, unevenly spaced, or unusually shaped teeth at the same time, veneers may be the answer.

Need a cosmetic dentist in Lakeway?

If you think dental veneers might be a good solution for you, you’ll first have a consultation with a cosmetic dentist. Contact Tomasik Family Dental today to schedule your appointment.