Discolored teeth can make you self-conscious about your smile when you should want to show it off. Luckily, there are many options to whiten your smile. Dr. Marvin M. Kaplan, a cosmetic dentist in Cincinnati, OH, explains what’s available at our office.
Professional Teeth Whitening
When you think about getting a whiter smile at your dentist, professional teeth whitening is usually what comes to mind. Professional options have a lot of perks over drugstore options. Over the counter whitening solutions are often one size fits all. This can lead to splotchy results and risking sensitivity in the gums where the bleaching agent comes into contact with the soft tissue.
At our office, we offer both in-office and take-home teeth whitening options. In-office whitening is ideal for getting a whiter smile quickly, like if you have an upcoming event. In about an hour in our office, you can get a smile up to eight shades whiter. Your soft tissue is protected and a whitening gel is applied to the teeth. A special light is used to activate the whitening agent and give you a sparkling smile.
Take-home whitening is a more gradual process. Impressions will be taken of your teeth so that custom whitening trays can be made. Custom whitening trays ensure even distribution of the gel and avoid the dangers of sensitivity. Dr. Kaplan will help to determine how long you should wear them each evening and the number of days it’ll take to reach your cosmetic goals.
Porcelain Veneers
Not all stains can be taken care of with traditional whitening techniques. Porcelain veneers offer an option for teeth that have been stained due to things like medication or genetics. Veneers are made of thin shells of dental ceramic that go over the front and sides of your teeth. The material is made to be durable and stain-resistant for a long-lasting solution.
To get veneers, we’ll remove a small amount of tooth structure. We want to make sure that the veneers lay flat and flush with the rest of your smile. Impressions are taken to get the veneers custom-made. When they’re ready, we’ll fit them to your teeth and make sure you’re satisfied. Then, they’re permanently bonded to your teeth.
Dental Bonding
If you’re looking for a solution that’s cost-effective and aren’t ready for a permanent solution, dental bonding may be the best option for you. The bonding material is made of a malleable composite resin that’s color-matched to your smile. Since the material can be molded, it can take care of cosmetic chips and cracks while getting a whiter smile.
A minimal amount of your tooth structure needs to be removed to ensure the resin adheres to your tooth. It’ll be molded to the shape of your tooth to look natural. When you’re happy with the result, the resin is cured and hardened with a special light. It’s then polished to match the natural sheen of the rest of your teeth.
Cosmetic Dentistry in Cincinnati, Ohio
Make sure you get a whiter smile that you want to show off. Call us or schedule an appointment online.