If you are dissatisfied with the color of your teeth, you may be wondering if you are a good candidate for teeth whitening. Your gums and teeth must be healthy before considering teeth whitening and it is important to have your teeth evaluated by your dentist before beginning the process. There are several different teeth whitening options available.
- Whitening Strips. Whitening strips work quite well and are fairly inexpensive, but they may take longer to get results than other types of teeth whitening methods. They are sold over the counter and vary in peroxide strength.
- Trays and Gels. Trays and gels are typically worn for a couple of hours a day or overnight and can be purchased from your dentist or over the counter. The results vary depending on the strength of the peroxide. Teeth whitening kits from the dentist are often more effective because they contain a stronger peroxide bleaching agent and can be custom made to fit your teeth.
- In-Office Bleaching. This process is done in a dental office in about an hour and produces superior results. It is expensive but offers immediate results, which may be appealing to many.
- Composite Bonding. This type of teeth whitening may be suitable for those who cannot achieve the desired level of whiteness through other methods. In this process, a flexible resin is applied by hand and then dried to a durable finish. This option can be completed in one visit to the dentist and is reasonably priced. Care must be taken to not to bite your fingernails or chew on hard surfaces as the composite bonding could be damaged.
- Porcelain Veneers. Porcelain veneers are highly durable and can last for years with proper care. To reduce costs and preserve the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, oftentimes only a few teeth in the front are covered and the rest of the teeth are then whitened to match. The veneers will not yellow like your natural teeth, so regular teeth whitening will still need to be done.
If you would like more information about teeth whitening, please give us a call at the office of Paul D. Nifong, Jr., DDS today!