Veneers vs. Teeth Whitening – Which is More Effective for My Smile?
Choosing the right cosmetic dental treatment for your smile can be tricky. With so many available options, knowing which will provide you with natural looking results can be difficult to identify. Teeth whitening and porcelain veneers alone are fairly common treatments that a multitude of patients use every year to improve the aesthetic of their smile. However, each provide a different method of achieving a bright smile.
Teeth whitening, or teeth bleaching, is a minimally invasive cosmetic dental treatment used to whiten teeth and remove stains caused by years of wear and tear as well as exposure to staining liquids or foods. Available as an in-office procedure as well as a take-home treatment, professional teeth whitening treatments use a customized tray which is filled with professional-grade bleaching gel. The filled tray is then applied to the teeth and worn for a pre-designated amount of time. Often, patients that opt for the in-office version are able to notice a difference in the whiteness of their teeth within a single appointment. To maintain their newly whitened smile, many patients are sent home with a touch-up kit and are instructed to avoid exposure to staining substances.
Typically, patients who get the most out of professional teeth bleaching are individuals with mild to moderate teeth staining. While results can last for a long time, teeth whitening is not a permanent solution and often requires retreatment in the future. However, the immediate results and ease of treatment make teeth whitening ideal for individuals looking to brighten their smiles prior to significant events, such as weddings, job interviews, and other life events.
Similar to teeth bleaching, porcelain veneers are designed to transform the smile. Made of porcelain or resin, veneers are designed to correct individual teeth that may be flawed by cracks, chips, or deep intrinsic staining. Veneers can also be used to correct spacing between teeth, eliminating unsightly gaps caused by teeth that are too small or misshaped and cannot be corrected by braces. As a result, veneers are often used to improve the uniformity of a smile, rather than just the shade.
To apply veneers, a small amount of the tooth is buffed down, making room for the prosthetic front. Once the tooth has been prepared, dental cement is applied and the veneer is attached. As some enamel must be removed, veneers are often considered a permanent treatment that cannot be easily reversed. Additionally, veneers are designed to target specific teeth rather than the entire smile. With this in mind, candidates for veneers are individuals with independently damaged or stained teeth.
Learn More about Cosmetic Treatments in Edmonton Today
At Dr. Derek Fika Family Dentistry, we strive to make choosing the right cosmetic treatment as hassle-free as possible. By working closely with individuals to identify their goals, our Edmonton dentist is able to help patients determine the best solution for their smile. To learn more about teeth whitening and veneers in Edmonton, contact Dr. Fika today to schedule your consultation.