Modern cosmetic dentistry can work wonders. Within just one or two appointments, your dentist can give you the smile of your dreams. If you’re unhappy with the color of your teeth in particular, there are two procedures that can help: teeth whitening, and veneers. While both treatments can give you a brighter smile, they use completely different methods to do so, each with its pros and cons. If you’re currently trying to choose between the two procedures, here’s a rundown of the key differences between them.
What is Teeth Whitening?
If you want whiter teeth, your first instinct would probably be to look for “teeth whitening.” That definitely isn’t a bad idea. Your dentist will carefully apply a bleaching solution—usually containing hydrogen peroxide—to your teeth. Within a single session, your teeth can be made up to eight shades whiter!
What are Veneers?
While whitening targets the color of your teeth specifically, veneers are a complete smile makeover. Your dentist will remove a thin sliver of enamel from your tooth, and replace it with a shell of porcelain. The result is the appearance of a perfect, gleaming smile!
Teeth Whitening vs. Veneers: Which Will Work for Me?
Both of these procedures can produce incredible results, so which one you’d want to go for depends on a few factors.
Color
While teeth whitening can produce incredible results, veneers allow you to choose the exact color you’d like your teeth to be. They’re also stain-resistant, meaning that they’re likely to stay white for a very long time. If your teeth are certain shades of brown or grey, you might need veneers to get a movie-star white smile.
Convenience
A good dentist will make every procedure as convenient as possible. That said, teeth whitening is incredibly easy, involving a single appointment that’s usually completed in less than an hour. Veneers, on the other hand, need two appointments—one for the fitting, and one for placement. That may not be a massive difference, but if you’re a busy person, the extra trip to the dentist might matter.
Other Issues
Teeth whitening does just that—make your teeth whiter. Veneers, however, can fix all kinds of issues. Whether you have chips, cracks, tooth decay, gaps, or crowding, they can transform your smile basically overnight. If you have problems besides the color of your teeth that you’re looking to solve, veneers might be the better pick.
Of course, these aren’t the only factors that can affect the decision on which cosmetic procedure to pick. A consultation with a cosmetic dentist would be able to tell you a little more about which treatment would be right for you.
About Our Practice
At Milton Hill Dental, we’re committed to providing our community with bright, healthy smiles. We have three experienced dentists on staff, and we make use of all of their expertise to offer whatever services you or your family need. We also offer early and late hours, so you won’t have to take time out of your busy workday to make your smile the best it can be. If you have any questions about teeth whitening or veneers, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (617) 696-4800.