The pressure of achieving a perfect, glossy smile in this day and age can seem extreme. However, with the right cosmetic dental procedure, you could get those pearly whites you desire in no time. The hardest part of the process is deciding which procedure is right for you.
1. Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is the treatment of removing a built of stains and reversing tooth discoloration. It’s most commonly performed using hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. The treatment typically lasts about an hour a visit and depending on the color you desire, you may come in once or multiple times until satisfied.
If you are looking to brighten your smile a bit then whitening is a safe and quick procedure. However, if your teeth (tooth) discoloration goes beyond the dull white or yellow, you may have intrinsic factors that will prevent the teeth from whitening. Some of these factors include a dead tooth caused by pulp necrosis, an infection, and internal resorption. These, along with a list of other factors require immediate attention to determine the severity of the condition.
2. Veneers
Veneers are porcelain shells that resemble a tooth enamel. They are most typically used for alignment, tooth spacing, chips and/or discoloration. Installing a veneer may require several doctor visits, including sizing, placement and a follow-up. Veneers should be treated the same as regular teeth despite it not lasting forever. They will have to be replaced over time.
Veneers are a great option if your teeth require more than just a simple whitening session, especially if you have a tooth that has been permanently damaged. Although, they are not as simple as wearing your natural teeth, the resemblance of natural teeth is pretty close. Some people actually prefer veneers in preference of getting the whitest smile possible.
3. Implants
Dental implants are titanium made teeth connected to metal screws that fill in a missing tooth. Implanting a tooth is a more complex and costly cosmetic dental procedure than whitening or veneers. The process could take several weeks depending on the steps of placement, healing and replacing. The structure of your jawbone and teeth also affect the time.
Implants serving as an option for a whiter smile should only be considered if you suffer from a condition that has damaged your tooth (teeth) that requires removal. However, if you fall into this category, an implant most likely resembles actual teeth and would never leave a person second guessing the nature of your smile.
Regardless, of your choice, never forget to brush and floss daily. Also, remember to eat foods that brighten your smile, not diminish the enamel.
To help determine what cosmetic dental procedure works best for you or for a regular check up, feel free to contact us at (805) 410-1532 or sam.newburydentalgroup@gmail.com to set up an appointment with Dr. Peyman or Dr. Sam at our office in Newbury Park or Thousand Oaks.
Thank you for noting that teeth whitening is a quick and safe procedure. I used to think this process was intensive and could lead to some very uncomfortable situations, so it helps to read that this isn’t the case at all. Once I find a cosmetic dentist in the area, I’ll have them handle the teeth whitening right away.