Having discolored teeth can make you self-conscious when you’re laughing, speaking, or even eating. We want you to be able to have a smile you’re proud to show off. Luckily, there are many options to treat a discolored smile. Dr. Quinn Woodruff of McLeansville Family and Cosmetic Dentistry discusses the options for cosmetic dentistry in his McLeansville, NC office.
Professional Teeth Whitening
This is probably what comes to mind when you think about getting your teeth whitened at the dentist. Professional teeth whitening is many steps above the over the counter option. Drugstore products often lead to splotchy, uneven results. They’re also one size fits all, which leaves your soft tissues in danger of sensitivity.
At our office, we offer both in-office and take-home whitening options. In-office teeth whitening gets you results in about an hour in our office. We protect the soft tissue, then paint a bleaching gel onto your teeth. In-office whitening is ideal if you need a whiter smile fast, like for an upcoming event.
Take-home teeth whitening is a more gradual process. Impressions are taken of your teeth to make custom whitening trays. These are filled with a professional-grade bleaching gel to guarantee even results. Because they’re fitted to your teeth, you don’t have to worry about gel getting on soft tissue. You wear the trays a certain amount of time each night for a number of weeks.
Porcelain Veneers
Not all discoloration is able to be treated with traditional whitening methods. Porcelain veneers offer a solution for teeth stained by things like genetics or certain medications. Veneers are made of a thin shell of dental ceramic that goes over the front and sides of the tooth. The material is engineered to be durable and stain-resistant.
To get veneers, some of your tooth structure is removed first. We want to make sure the veneers lay flush with the rest of your teeth. Impressions are taken so that they can be crafted. Once they’re ready, we fit them to your teeth to make sure they look and feel the way they should. If you’re satisfied, they’re then permanently bonded to your teeth.
Dental Bonding
If you’re looking for an economical option and aren’t ready for a permanent restoration, dental bonding may be the option for you. The bonding material is a composite resin that can be color-matched to the shade you desire. It’s malleable so that you can eliminate small chips and cracks while whitening your teeth.
For dental bonding, a minimal amount of tooth structure is removed to ensure the material adheres to the tooth. The resin is molded and shaped to the tooth so that it looks natural. Once you’re satisfied, the resin is cured and hardened with a special light. It’s then polished so that it matches the shine of your natural teeth.
Cosmetic Dentistry in Hendersonville, North Carolina
It’s time to get the whiter smile you’ve been searching for. Call us or schedule an appointment online.