If you’ve started to notice small aesthetic changes to your smile—like worsening dental discoloration, then our Santa Monica cosmetic dentists are here to help. We know that even these seemingly minor dental issues can dramatically affect how you feel about your teeth. We provide the treatments patients need to refresh and rejuvenate their smiles.
When you come in to meet with our dental team, we’ll first assess your smile to determine what type of discoloration you’re experiencing. Many people find that their teeth look darker because foods and drinks leave color deposits on the tooth over time—we refer to this as environmental staining. One of the key causes of environmental stains is tobacco. Sometimes, however, teeth develop with discoloration; tetracycline staining is one example of embedded or developmental discoloration. Sudden dental trauma, likewise, can cause a tooth to darken and dull.
If you are dealing with environmental stains, then professional dental whitening may work wonders on your smile. The topical whitening formulations that we use lift stains from the dental surface, and help to restore the tooth to its original level of whiteness. If you don’t find that your teeth are sufficiently white after the first treatment, our team can repeat it over time to intensify the results.
Other types of discoloration may be better treated with cosmetic treatments like dental bonding or porcelain veneers. These types of aesthetic treatments cover unsightly enamel, rather than changing the natural enamel color. Both composite resin and porcelain restorations can be used to resurface the visible enamel surface and give the smile a fresher and brighter appearance.
Some dental patients achieve full results using one of these treatments, while others combine aesthetic solutions for optimal effect. When you meet with our Santa Monica cosmetic dentists, we can help you evaluate your treatment options. Together, we’ll find a smile-whitening solution that meets all of your needs!