Having discolored teeth can make you self-conscious about your smile. You want to hide your teeth instead of showing off your beautiful smile. But how can you get a whiter smile that you’re not afraid to display? Dr. Kush Patel of Craft Smiles Dental, a dentist in Fullerton, CA, offers the options we have at our dental office.
Professional Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening is the typical way you think of getting your teeth whitened at the dentist. Professional is much preferred over over the counter products. Often, these products are one size fits all, which can make the whitening come out uneven. The bleaching agents used can get onto your gums, causing pain and sensitivity.
We offer both in-office and take-home tooth whitening. In the office, we have Boost teeth whitening by Opalescence. The bleaching agent is designed for reduced sensitivity. The whitening gel is carefully applied to your teeth by one of our dentists. It’s chemically activated and takes about an hour. You’ll leave the office with a bright, white smile and a touch-up kit in case any issues arise!
For take-home teeth whitening, we’ll take impressions of your smile to make customized whitening trays. The bleaching gel is evenly spread into these trays and you’ll wear them for a few hours each day. Since the trays are custom to your teeth, you won’t have to worry about an uneven application or the gel impacting your gums. You’ll see gradual results after a few days and can work up to the shade you desire.
Porcelain Veneers
Not all tooth stains are able to be removed by traditional teeth whitening techniques. For instance, certain medications can create splotchy stains that are hard to get rid of. Porcelain veneers offer a solution for these difficult stains. They’re made of a thin shell of dental ceramic that goes over the front and sides of your tooth. They’re also durable and stain-resistant, making them a long-lasting solution.
Porcelain veneers can be color-matched to the rest of your smile and can only go on the teeth impacted by the staining if you choose. They’re also a more permanent solution that can last a long time. A small portion of your tooth is worn away to make room for the veneers. Impressions are taken and they’re made custom for your teeth. Then, they’re fitted and permanently bonded to the teeth, lasting for years to come.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is a cost-effective solution that’s a less permanent alternative to porcelain veneers. It’s ideal if you’re on a budget or aren’t ready for a permanent restoration. Dental bonding is made of a biocompatible resin material. It can be color-matched to the rest of your smile, as well as molded and shaped to fit your teeth.
The surface of the tooth is shaved slightly to make room for the bonding material and allow it to adhere to the tooth better. The dentist will place and shape the resin on your tooth. Once you’re both happy with the result, a special light is used to cure and harden the resin. It’s then buffed and polished to match the sheen of natural teeth.
Whitening Discolored Teeth at Your Fullerton, California Dentist
Are you ready to get a whiter smile that you want to show off? Call us or schedule an appointment online.