One of the biggest cosmetic complaints that people have about their teeth is that they wish their teeth were whiter. And while teeth whitening is the most common solution that people choose, there are times when porcelain veneers might actually be a better option.
Porcelain veneers are a thin layer of material that a dentist will place over your teeth in order to restore or correct their appearance.
Not all stains are created equal
The majority of people who have stains on their teeth get these stains from foods and drinks such as coffee, chocolate or red wine. Smoking can also cause teeth to become stained. Generally, these types of stains respond well to teeth whitening.
Some stains however do not. Metal fillings for example, may cause teeth to darken, and regular whitening procedures cannot help this. Likewise, if the enamel has become damaged, stains can become darker and teeth whitening may be ineffective. In these cases, porcelain veneers are the better choice if you are looking to get whiter teeth.
Not all enamel is created equal.
Even if your tooth enamel is in good shape, it is important to recognize that some people have naturally brighter enamel than others. Teeth whitening procedures will only help to get your teeth as white as your enamel will allow. If you would like to go a few shades whiter, then using porcelain veneers can help you accomplish that whereas regular whitening procedures may not.
Do you have other issues with your teeth besides the colour?
Finally, using porcelain veneers may be the best option if you are unhappy with your teeth for other reasons besides the colour. Using porcelain veneers, you can not only get whiter teeth, but this procedure can also be used to restore the appearance of chipped or crooked teeth as well as help to fill in gaps between teeth. Obviously, whitening alone cannot do this.
If you wish that you had whiter teeth, the best thing to do is to speak with your dentist about your options. In many cases, teeth whitening may do the job, but for some people, porcelain veneers will be the right choice to give them the beautiful white smile that they desire.
To speak to one of our dentists about the right teeth whitening choice for you, call Sapphire Dental today.