Whitening Vs Veneers: Which is Best For Me
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What Is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic dental treatment that helps to brighten and whiten the natural colour of your teeth. Over time, various factors like aging, certain foods and drinks, smoking, and poor oral hygiene can lead to tooth discolouration. Teeth whitening is a great solution to treat this discolouration and restore confidence in your smile
Benefits Of Professional Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening can do wonders for your pearly whites and boost your self-confidence. Here are some of the benefits of professional teeth whitening:
- Non-invasive and quick:
Teeth whitening is a non-invasive treatment that can be done in a relatively short amount of time. Whether you choose an in-office treatment or a home-whitening kit, the process is generally hassle-free, convenient, and delivers noticeable results in just one session.
- Customised solutions:
Professional teeth whitening offers customised solutions tailored to your specific needs. Our dentist can assess your tooth colour and discuss your desired outcome, ensuring that you achieve a brighter shade while maintaining a natural look.
- Increased self-confidence:
Teeth whitening can give you that extra boost of self-assurance allowing you to smile freely in situations where you would normally hide your beautiful smile.
- Safe and effective:
Dental professionals have the knowledge and experience to perform teeth whitening safely and use high-grade products for its effectiveness.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Teeth whitening works by using specific bleaching agents to break down and remove stains on the surface of your teeth, revealing a brighter and whiter smile.
There are two types of teeth whitening treatments that you can opt for:
Professional In-Office Whitening
During this cleaning, plaque and tartar buildup are carefully removed from your teeth, especially in hard-to-reach areas. Our dentist will apply a higher concentration of the whitening agent directly to your teeth. The whitening agent is typically activated by a special light or laser to enhance the effectiveness of the treatment.
At-Home Whitening
At-home teeth whitening kits provided by dental professionals usually involve custom-fit trays that you fill with a whitening gel. You usually wear these trays for a specific period for several days or weeks. The whitening gel gradually works to whiten your teeth.
Professional kits are specifically tailored to your teeth, have a higher concentration of bleaching agents, and guidance is provided on proper usage. It ensures effective and safe results compared to over-the-counter whitening kits, which are not customised according to your needs and usually contain a lower concentration of bleaching agents or harmful ingredients.
At SDG, we use Zoom 4 whitening and Poladay teeth whitening. Zoom 4 is an advanced teeth whitening system that uses a special gel and LED light technology to achieve remarkable results in just 60 minutes.
Poladay teeth whitening involves the use of a prescription-strength whitening gel which is applied to custom-fit trays. You will need to wear them for 30 minutes for a period of 5 to 14 days providing noticeable results. This allows you to whiten your teeth at your home at your own convenience.
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are thin custom-made shells designed to cover the front surface of your teeth to enhance their appearance. Veneers are a versatile solution that can address various cosmetic concerns such as stained teeth, and chipped, cracked, or misaligned teeth with minor gaps.
There are two types of veneers that are generally used. Porcelain veneers and composite resin veneers. Porcelain veneers are custom-crafted in a dental lab to match the shape, size, and colour of your natural teeth. Custom resin veneers are created using tooth-coloured composite materials that are applied directly to the teeth and sculpted by our professional dentist.
Benefits Of Dental Veneers
Veneers can be a game changer, offering many benefits that can enhance your smile and boost your confidence. Here’s why:
- Stain resistance:
Veneers (particularly porcelain veneers) are highly resistant to stains from food, beverages, and tobacco. This means your smile will stay brighter and more vibrant for a longer time.
- Minimally invasive:
Unlike some dental treatments, veneers require minimal alteration to your natural teeth. A thin layer of enamel is typically removed to apply the veneers. It also preserves as much of your natural tooth structure as possible.
- Long-lasting solution:
Veneers are known for their durability and longevity. With proper care and regular dental check-ups, veneers can last a decade or even longer.
- Natural-looking results:
One of the remarkable benefits of veneers is their ability to provide natural-looking results. Whether you choose porcelain or composite veneers, they are custom-made to mimic the texture of natural teeth ensuring your smile looks beautifully seamless.
How Do Veneers Work?
The process begins with an initial consultation and treatment planning with our skilled dentist. During your visit, we will discuss your smile goals and specific concerns you may have. Our experienced dentists will evaluate your oral health whilst making sure you are well-informed and all your questions are answered.
The next step involves preparing your teeth. A small amount of enamel is gently removed from the front surface of your teeth. This ensures that your veneers will fit properly and look natural.
Our artisanal dentists will take impressions of your teeth to serve as a guide in creating your custom-made veneers using high-quality materials. These impressions capture the unique shape, size, and alignment of your teeth.
Before bonding them to your teeth, our dentists will ensure that the veneers blend seamlessly with your natural teeth and create a harmonious smile. A dental adhesive is used to securely bond the veneers to the front surface of your teeth.
Any adjustments necessary will then be checked and made to ensure proper fit, bite, and alignment.
Teeth Whitening and Veneers offer great solutions for different needs. Ultimately deciding on which one is best for you would be to schedule a visit with one of our experienced dentists at SDG for a comprehensive evaluation. Schedule your visit today, we’re open 7 days a week!