Teeth Whitening vs. Porcelain Veneers

It is natural for your teeth to become discolored over time, but this can happen more quickly if you have been known to enjoy pigmented foods and beverages, like wine and coffee. Fortunately, in this modern day and age, you don’t need to settle for stained, yellow teeth. You have a few different options to choose from. Two of the most common are teeth whitening and porcelain veneers in Corpus Christi, but how do you make this decision. Continue reading to learn more about the two so you can make the best decision for your smile.

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

When you go into the dentist for professional teeth whitening, they will apply a bleaching gel directly to the protective enamel of your teeth and allow it to sit for 15 minutes. This can be reapplied several times until you achieve the results that you’re looking for. Ultimately, you can leave the office after just one hour with a smile that is several shades whiter.

If you would prefer to whiten your teeth in the comfort of your own home, your dentist can provide you with a take-home whitening kit that is stronger than anything that you can find in stores. They use professional-grade whitening gels and custom crafted trays. They can give you a smile up to 10 shades brighter in just a couple weeks.

How Do Porcelain Veneers Work?

Porcelain veneers are wafer-thin, custom-made porcelain shells that are placed on the front surface of the teeth in order to correct and mask imperfections. The process involves your cosmetic dentist in Corpus Christi removing a small amount of your protective enamel so that the veneers don’t appear bulky when placed on the teeth. An impression is taken and sent off to the laboratory where your veneers are made. A few weeks later, they are permanently cemented to the front of your teeth. You can say goodbye to discolored, chipped, stained, misshapen, and undersized teeth.

Which Should You Choose?

When making the decision between porcelain veneers and teeth whitening in Corpus Christi, you will want to look at the following factors:

• Cost: Teeth whitening tends to be much more affordable than getting veneers.
• Longevity: You see improvements right away with both treatments. If you opt for teeth whitening, you may feel the need to head back into the office for another round in a few years. Veneers can last upwards of 15 years when cared for properly.
• What they fix: Teeth whitening does exactly what it says it will – whiten your teeth! On the other hand, discoloration is only one of the many different issues that veneers can fix. They are created to cover up all sorts of aesthetic issues.
• Process: Teeth whitening can be done in as little as an hour. Porcelain veneers take a few weeks and several appointments to complete.

Both cosmetic options are great when it comes to reducing discoloration, but one may be better suited for you than the other. Talk to your dentist about your options so you can make the right choice for your smile.

About the Author

Dr. John T. Thompson is an experienced dentist who has been working in the field for more than three decades. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the Baylor College of Dentistry and is committed to completing numerous hours of continuing education each year. He was awarded a Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry and is a member of the American Dental Association. He offers many different cosmetic treatments at his office, including porcelain veneers and teeth whitening. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (361) 242-3151.