Yesterday, we looked at the common causes of discoloration. Today, we look at ways to remove teeth stains and help you enjoy a brighter smile. Discoloration can vary in causes and severity, which is why we offer multiple cosmetic options for brightening your smile. Which option will best address your stained smile?
Professional Teeth Whitening
The patient will undergo an initial office treatment. Afterward, we will send the patient home with a set of whitening trays, plus a powerful bleaching gel. The doctor will recommend a set amount of time to wear the gel-filled trays each day. Total treatment time takes about a week to ten days. We can often remove stains and brighten teeth by multiple shades with this option.
Dental Bonding
What if you have permanent stains that don’t respond to whitening? If your discoloration is the result of injury, fluorosis, or tetracycline use, then you may require more than our teeth whitening procedure. Instead, we can mask stains with dental bonding. Using a composite resin, we coat the teeth and mask discoloration. The procedure takes just one visit.
Porcelain Veneers
Veneer can also be used to mask permanent stains. While bonding is more cost-effective, veneers are more lifelike and completely alter the shade and shape of the tooth. Placement takes about two visits.
Maintaining Your Newly Brightened Smile
Once we’ve correct the discoloration with either whitening or a restoration, how do you ensure your smile stays bright? First, you can use your trays and remaining gel to perform touch-ups as needed. You can also focus on improving your oral hygiene by brushing and flossing properly. You should also have your teeth thoroughly cleaned every six months. Good oral hygiene helps keep your smile bright and limits the severity of future teeth stains.
