A smile makeover is a common intervention that dentists use for patients of all ages. If you are unhappy with the way your smile looks, you should get in touch with your dentist. Many issues can affect your smile, including discoloration of your teeth. Stained teeth can be embarrassing. If you have this condition, you may even avoid smiling or being around other people. The good news is that treatments are available to help you overcome these challenges.
Teeth are naturally white, but it is not difficult for them to stain. This typically does not happen quickly but instead occurs gradually. There are various causes, one of which is genetics. In this case, there is little the person can do to avoid discoloration.
Other factors are much more under the person’s control. Poor brushing and flossing habits can turn teeth yellow, gray, or brown. Also, eating and drinking certain foods and beverages, such as berries, cola, and coffee, can have this effect. Smoking can also stain teeth and make them unattractive.
Grocery store and drugstore shelves have a wide range of dental products that can help with teeth whitening. These come in the form of toothpaste, mouthwash, and whitening strips. These products use hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to help remove stains. This chemical, however, is in a low concentration, so it takes longer to get whiter teeth. The results will typically not last as long as other smile makeover methods either.
For longer-lasting results and even whiter teeth, take-home trays could be the right smile makeover solution. This treatment is almost exclusively in the comforts of a person’s home but starts at the dentist’s office. The dentist will make impressions of the person’s mouth and fabricate a plastic mouthguard to fit over the person’s teeth. In these trays, the patient will put some hydrogen peroxide gel. The patient should wear the trays overnight for several weeks or a few months. The results can last up to a year or more.
In-office whitening requires more of a financial commitment. However, it might be the most effective treatment. Some patients notice whiter teeth almost immediately after this smile makeover. If the person maintains good oral hygiene, their teeth can stay whiter for more than a year before having to do another treatment.
This process requires just one or two visits to the dentist’s office. The patient lies in a dental chair while the dentist prepares the whitening solution. This goes on a mouthpiece, which the dentist places over the person’s teeth. Light or heat activates the hydrogen peroxide, which then breaks down the stain-causing molecules deep within the teeth.
This is a quick way to achieve whiter teeth. It only takes one dental visit to apply the composite resin material to the stained teeth. The dentist will apply some etching solution or gel to the affected teeth. This will roughen the dental surfaces and allow the bonding material to stick better. The dentist will dry the material with a curing light. The dentist will make sure the bonding material is tooth-colored.
Crooked teeth can harbor plaque, food particles, and tartar. Some of the corners can be difficult to clean. That is why misaligned teeth tend to be discolored. Aligning teeth will make cleaning easier. The dentist can remove more tartar. This can lighten the appearance of the affected teeth.
The treatment period will depend on the severity of the misalignment. Transparent aligners, traditional braces, lingual braces, and palatial expanders. The dentist will determine what alignment treatment the patient must have. Wearing retainers can help fix the position of the patient’s teeth.
Teeth with severe staining can be white again with the help of dental crowns. Each crown can provide full coverage for each tooth. It can close dental gaps, lengthen teeth, and protect weakened teeth from future staining. A crown can also help shield each tooth from plaque and tartar.
These restorations are thin porcelain shells capable of covering stained teeth. The dentist must shave off a thin layer of the outer surface of the affected teeth. This will help the veneers stick to the teeth better. Curing light can harden the bonding material. The veneers will be custom-fit. The treatment can take two to three dental visits to complete.
Choosing a teeth-whitening method depends on your goals and preferences. The good news is that these choices can be effective in removing stains and discoloration. The results can help you feel good about the way you look. Make an appointment today so that you can get started.
Request an appointment here: https://www.santamonicadental.com or call Santa Monica LiveWell Dentistry at (310) 907-7780 for an appointment in our Santa Monica office.
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