Teeth Whitening
Stains on your teeth accumulate over the years from coffee, tea, juice, soda, fruits and berries, sauces, salads — anything that can stain your carpet can stain your teeth. In addition, aging and even some types of medicine may cause discoloration. Teeth whitening works by exfoliating these stains from the inside out to bring your teeth back to their natural color.
Crowns, Veneers and Bonding Won’t Change Color
When you have your teeth whitened, it doesn’t change the color of any previous dental work. That’s because crowns and veneers are made of porcelain, which can’t be changed. The same goes for porcelain fillings.
But that doesn’t mean that you should not do whitening if you have veneers, crowns or a filling on a front tooth. In fact, the color of the restorative work is probably already lighter than the rest of your natural teeth, either due to stains or an imperfect color match when it was placed. If you’re concerned about your dental work standing out after a whitening procedure you have the option to check the mirror after each 15-minute session to decide whether you want to stop. The dentist will consult with you before starting the treatment to answer all of your concerns and discuss possible options.
When a patient’s teeth are damaged and may feel like they’re beyond repair, we can use crowns to make their smile appear “good as new.” This is an extremely reliable technique for repairing even the most severe dental problems, including the permanent replacement of missing teeth for a complete smile and functional bite. Crowns and bridges last up to 20 years, and it’s our goal to make them look and feel as much like your natural teeth as possible.
Benefits of Dental Crowns
Capabilities of Dental Crowns
Crown and bridgework is a reliable solution for major dental problems that are caused via oral diseases, accidents or wear and tear. Where teeth have been lost in an accident, or broken away through excessive wear or as the result of old fillings breaking, crowns and/or bridges are a realistic long-term solution.
For example, many people can develop pain from a back filling, which is usually due to hairline cracks in the chewing part of the tooth. Placing a crown over the damage relieves pain and allows for return of full dental function. Likewise, in front teeth, older fillings can both cause appearance problems due to chipping or staining, or even weaken the tooth. In these cases, porcelain crowns and bridges can work where veneers cannot. Finally, crowns can help prevent breakage in teeth with root canal fillings.
Fitting a Dental Crown
Fitting a crown usually requires two visits to our office. During the first visit, we will remove decay, shape the tooth, and fit it with a plastic or metal temporary crown while the permanent crown is being created. When it’s ready, we will remove the temporary crown, and then fit and adjust the final crown. After the crown is cemented into place, you’ll leave with a beautiful, new and protected tooth.
Dental veneers, also commonly referred to as porcelain veneers, are thin shells of ceramic that are installed on the front of your teeth. People choose to get veneers to correct cracked, chipped, stained or misaligned teeth. Each veneer is designed differently for each person and is made from advanced materials that mimic the natural enamel of your teeth.
Are Dental Veneers Right For You?
Dental veneers may be right for you if any of the following applies:
Benefits of Veneers
