I Have Discolored Teeth: What Are My Cosmetic Dentistry Options?
Are your teeth stained? Do you feel self-conscious about smiling around others? If so, you aren’t alone. Many people in Edmonton, AB, visit Dr. Nathaniel Podilsky and his team asking about treatments for tooth stains. Thankfully, we offer cosmetic dentistry procedures to enhance your smile, which includes methods of dealing with discolored smiles.
There are three common cosmetic dentistry procedures we can use to address stained teeth:
- Teeth Whitening
- Dental Veneers
- Dental Crowns
Let’s go over each of these options below and how a dentist can help you select the right treatment for your needs.
Teeth Whitening
Many of our patients get teeth whitening to remove dental stains. It’s a good option for stains that originate on the surface of a tooth. The process works by applying a safe bleaching agent to the tooth surface, which whitens the stained enamel.
Professional Bleaching vs. Over-the-Counter Whitening Products
You may have seen over-the-counter whitening strips and tray systems at your local pharmacy. Those work, but they are not as fast or effective as professional teeth whitening supervised by a dentist.
Dental Veneers
For deeper or darker stains, some patients get veneers to conceal stains on the front teeth. Veneers are thin, tooth-colored shells that are attached to the front of the teeth. When in place, the veneers essentially function like a mask, hiding the stain from view.
The Versatility of Dental Veneers
We don’t just use veneers to cover up stains at our Downtown Edmonton dentistry practice. Veneers are quite versatile. In addition to treating stains, we can use veneers to treat the following issues:
- Chipped teeth
- Cracked teeth
- Gapped teeth
- Minor tooth misalignment
- Differences in tooth size
- Smile asymmetry
Dental Crowns
When the tooth coloration is severe or pervasive, we may recommend a dental crown to cap a discolored tooth. A crown conceals the entire tooth, not just the front-facing surface like a veneer. With a crown in place, the discolored portion of the tooth is completely capped and hidden from view.
Crowns Are Often Used for Damaged or Decayed Teeth
Typically, crowns are used to treat teeth that have been severely compromised at a structural level. This usually means major tooth decay or a severe fracture. That said, tooth-colored crowns can be aesthetically pleasing and blend in well with natural teeth.
Which Treatment Is Right for My Smile?
Teeth whitening, veneers, and crowns can all be effective options for treating a stained tooth, but finding the right treatment requires the insight of a trained dentist. If you have stained teeth and want to learn more about your options for treatment, we encourage you to stop by our practice.
Creating a Treatment Plan Just for You
When developing an individualized cosmetic dentistry approach, we use smile design for custom treatment planning. This ensures each patient’s aesthetic goals are considered and the proper treatments are selected to achieve these goals.
Keep in mind that some patients may benefit from a combination of whitening, veneers, and crowns. This depends on the type of stains that are present.
Want to Enhance Your Smile? Contact Us for an Appointment
There are multiple options available for whitening or concealing tooth discoloration. To discuss which option might be right for you, contact our Downtown Edmonton dental practice. We look forward to your visit.
