Teeth Whitening VS Porcelain Veneers: Which is Best for Me?

Your smile is an important asset to your self-esteem and how other people perceive you. Unfortunately, not everyone is born with naturally attractive teeth. When you combine genetics with poor oral hygiene or trauma, your smile might say the wrong thing. You don’t need to feel insecure about your imperfect teeth because you can get the smile of your dreams with cosmetic dentistry. Although you have more options than ever, teeth whitening and porcelain veneers are among the most common treatments, but which is right for you? Here’s what you need to know to make the best decision for your smile.

Benefits of Porcelain Veneers

A veneer is a thin shell bonded over the front surface of a tooth to instantly improve its color, size, shape, and proportion. Porcelain is the preferred material to use for veneers because it closely looks like your enamel. As a result, the veneer will blend in with your teeth while producing a drastic improvement to the appearance of your smile. Porcelain also allows a veneer to be thinner than those made of other materials, making the procedure less invasive because more of your tooth’s structure is kept intact during the bonding process.

Veneers are often recommended for patients who have several aesthetic concerns and want to significantly transform their smile. They can correct several issues at once in as few as 2 appointments, including:

• Dark tooth discoloration
• Chips, cracks, or abnormally shaped teeth
• Shorter than average teeth
• Small gaps between teeth

While you will enjoy significant aesthetic change, veneers cost more than other treatments, and you’ll need to permanently alter your teeth; however, veneers can last for a decade or longer with the right care.

Benefits of Teeth Whitening

Your teeth naturally darken as you age because your enamel thins, which makes more of your yellowish dentin visible. Besides age, there are other factors that can cause your teeth to discolor, like poor oral hygiene habits, smoking, or routinely consuming darkly pigmented foods and drinks.

If over-the-counter whitening products don’t give you the results you want, a professional whitening procedure can help. The highly concentrated whitening agent deeply penetrates your enamel to get your teeth as much as 8 shades whiter after just one appointment.

If discoloration is your only cosmetic concern, teeth whitening provides an affordable and convenient solution to achieve a beautiful smile. If you prefer, you can also enjoy in-office results from the comfort of your own home. You can achieve drastic change with a customized take-home kit.

Invest in an Attractive Smile

You don’t need to feel embarrassed by your smile. If you only want to brighten your smile, teeth whitening may be right for you, but if you have several concerns, veneers can correct them using one treatment. Your cosmetic dentist creates the customized treatment plan you need to love your teeth.

About Dr. Bita Kamali

Dr. Bita Kamali earned her dental degree from the Baylor College of Dentistry. With a passion for providing the best services, she remains well-versed in the latest treatments and procedures, including cosmetic dentistry. She offers a variety of services to help her patients achieve flawless smiles. If you’re interested in teeth whitening or porcelain veneers, Dr. Kamali has the experience to turn your dreams into a reality. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation.