Tooth discoloration can occur for many reasons. While some can be treated with regular at-home brushing, the majority of surface and deep-down stains require the help of a professional. But what about staining that can’t be remedied with in-office or at-home whitening kits? The good news is there are also veneers. With two viable options to improve the look of your smile, how can you know which one is right for you? Read to hear from a cosmetic dentist in Ponte Vedra Beach who explains the benefits of both.
Teeth Whitening vs. Veneers: The Battle for Brighter Smiles
When looking at a dentist’s available services, you’ll likely find that most offer teeth whitening and veneers. Knowing which one is best for your individual needs isn’t something you should decide on your own. In fact, it’s recommended that you schedule a consultation with your dentist to discuss the problem areas of your smile and how you plan to achieve the goals you desire.
But before you pick up the phone to schedule your visit, here are a few things that make teeth whitening and veneers different:
- Teeth whitening in Ponte Vedra Beach is available for in-office or at-home use and can target surface stains and many deep-down discolorations.
- Veneers are customized restorations that fit snugly over the front surface of your teeth and conceal any staining.
- Teeth whitening is typically more affordable than veneers but must be touched up over time to maintain results.
- Veneers are viewed as a semi-permanent cosmetic solution because a small portion of tooth enamel must be removed for proper adherence.
Why Veneers May Be the Better Option
Whether you have a big event coming up or you just want to indulge in some self-care and revitalize your smile, you’ll achieve beautiful results with teeth whitening or veneers. However, after meeting with your dentist to discuss your options, they may recommend veneers in Ponte Vedra Beach simply because the stains you’re experiencing will not completely go away with the help of teeth whitening.
But before you begin the process of having customized veneers made, you should know a few things:
- Veneers are non-reversible, which means that once your dentist removes some of your tooth enamel, you’ll be required to maintain them for the rest of your life.
- They can last a decade or longer with proper care.
- They are completely customized and can change the size, shape, and color of your teeth.
- They look and feel completely natural, so no one will ever claim you have “fake teeth.”
- You’ll enjoy greater confidence in your appearance because you may appear several years younger than you really are.
The best course of action you can take when deciding which method to choose is to meet with your dentist for a consultation. Once they’ve examined your smile, they can make the appropriate recommendation for your smile.
About the Author
Dr. Eric Townsend is a dentist at Ponte Vedra Complete Dentistry. Offering an array of cosmetic dentistry services, he and his team can improve the look of a patient’s smile using teeth whitening or customized veneers. Depending on the severity of staining and discoloration, these two solutions make it easy to conceal and/or eliminate unsightly stains and effectively, boost appearances while helping individuals exude greater confidence. Contact us at (904) 285-7711 to find out which option is best for you.