When teeth start to look dark or discolored, our Santa Monica cosmetic dentists offer treatment options to minimize dental staining and increase your smile’s luminosity. There are a number of aesthetic solutions for dental staining, and today our team is answering some of the commonly asked questions about these types of cosmetic options. Let’s get started!
Q: How does professional dental whitening differ from whitening kits in the stores?
A: The short answer is that professionally applied whitening formulations are much more potent and effective than over-the-counter options. This means that you can achieve more dramatic results in a shorter period of time. Additionally, because in-office whitening treatment is administered by a dental professional, it is often recommended for people who deal with dental sensitivity; our team can monitor and make adjustments to your whitening protocol.
Q: Are there options other than professional whitening treatment?
A: Yes! Some people find that gel whitening simply doesn’t work for them; other dental patients want to improve multiple aesthetic issues at once (they may, for example, want to fix cracks or chips while whitening their smiles). In these cases, patients may choose to cover their teeth with a fresh, white, and natural-looking substance, rather than lighten their existing dental enamel. Dental bonding allows you to cover specific teeth with dental resin; resin can be shaded to match your smile as a whole, and once it is cured and bonded to the tooth surface, it looks exceptionally natural. Alternatively, you could use LUMINEERS (thin porcelain restorations) to cover problematic teeth. Both of these treatments are highly effective as well as customizable.
Dental staining is very common, especially among adult dental patients. If you are unhappy with your smile’s color or lack of luminosity, our Santa Monica cosmetic dentists can help you reclaim a bright and fresh smile that makes you feel confident. Give us a call to schedule a cosmetic consultation!