Having discolored teeth can make you want to hide your smile. We think a smile is something you should want to show off! Dr. Richard Sousa of East Hills Dental Associates, a dentist in Roslyn Heights, NY, discusses the methods to treat a discolored smile at our dental office.
Professional Teeth Whitening
This is probably what you think of when you think of getting whiter teeth. Professional teeth whitening carries many benefits over the kind you can buy at a drugstore. Over the counter products are often one size fits all. This can cause sensitivity if the bleaching agent comes into contact with your gums. These products also produce blotchy, uneven results.
We offer both in-office and take-home whitening options. In the office, we use Zoom! teeth whitening. This process can get you teeth that are up to eight shades whiter in just an hour at our office! The soft tissues are protected before the whitening gel is painted onto the teeth. The bleaching agent is activated with a special light. This process will be repeated four times in the hour to get the best results.
Take-home teeth whitening is a more gradual process. Impressions are taken to create custom bleaching trays designed to fit your smile. You’ll be given professional-grade whitening gel to put in the trays so you get even results and no sensitivity issues. You’ll wear the trays for a few hours each night over a number of weeks.
Porcelain Veneers
Not all stains can be taken care of with traditional whitening techniques. Porcelain veneers offer an alternative for teeth that are stained due to genetics or certain medications. They’re made of a thin shell of dental ceramic that goes over the front and sides of your teeth. The material is designed to be durable and stain-resistant for a long-lasting solution.
To get veneers, a small amount of your tooth structure is removed. We want to ensure the veneers lay flat and flush with the rest of your teeth. Impressions are taken for the veneers to be custom-made. When they’re ready, we’ll test them out on your teeth to make sure they look and feel the way you want them to. If you’re satisfied, they’ll be permanently bonded to the teeth.
Dental Bonding
If you’re looking for an economical option and aren’t ready for a permanent solution, dental bonding may be the best choice. The bonding material is made of a composite resin that can be color-matched to the shade you desire. The resin is malleable and allows you to take care of cosmetic chips while you’re getting a whiter smile.
To get dental bonding, a minimal amount of tooth structure is removed to ensure the resin adheres to the tooth. The material is molded to the natural shape of the tooth. When you’re satisfied, the material is cured and hardened with a special light. It’s then polished so that it matches the natural sheen of the rest of your smile.
Treating Tooth Discoloration at Your Roslyn Heights, New York Dentist
Are you ready to get a whiter smile you want to show off? Call us or schedule an appointment online.