Teeth Whitening or Veneers: How to Choose the Right One

A dazzling smile is a thing of beauty. That’s why most celebrities pay top dollar to get their smiles revamped. What’s there not to like about a bright smile? It exudes youth, vigor, beauty, and health, so it’s hard not to want a bright smile. Thankfully, that Hollywood smile is achievable since we have options such as teeth whitening and veneers.

But the challenge is finding out which is best suited for your scenario. Teeth whitening in Ellicott City is by far the number one teeth whitening choice for most people. However, veneers are still effective in brightening a smile. The question on the floor is which one is better? Let’s find out!

Teeth Whitening, In a Nutshell

People have been whitening for a long time, ever since ancient Egypt. Dental technology has now made teeth whitening near you much safer and quicker.

Teeth whitening aims to remove the surface stains from your teeth that make the teeth turn yellow. Even though there are many ways of whitening stained teeth, professional teeth whitening is the fastest and most effective option.

You need to schedule an appointment with our dentist near you. Once you come to the office, our dentist will discuss with you to know what your expectations are and determine if they can be met.

Our dentist will place protective materials over your soft tissue to ensure they don’t get irritated. Then our dentist will apply a bleaching agent (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide) to your teeth. The gel will be activated using a laser or powerful light to help penetrate the enamel and accelerate the process. The bleaching agent breaks down the stain molecules to give you a whiter smile.

Teeth whitening is a relatively quick procedure that takes between 60 and 90 minutes to complete.

Dental Veneers, In a Nutshell

On the other hand, dental veneers are another kind of treatment altogether. They are dental restorations that look like ultra-thin tooth-like shells, usually made of porcelain. Veneers are usually customized to cover the front part of your tooth.

They are versatile dental restorations with minor gaps, cracks, chips, and severe tooth discoloration.

You will need two dental visits to get dental veneers. The first appointment is to prep the teeth to accommodate the veneers. Our dentist will remove a small portion of the front surface to give the veneers ample space so that they aren’t bulky on your teeth.

Then our dentist will use a shade guide to determine the correct shade of veneers that will blend with the rest of your teeth. Also, our dentist will take dental impressions to help fabricate the veneers for your teeth.

The second appointment is to place the veneers. Our dentist will use special dental cement to attach the veneers to the teeth. Once the veneers are in place, your smile will be as good as new.

Pros and Cons: Teeth Whitening vs. Dental Veneers

For sure, teeth whitening and dental veneers will revamp your smile. However, you may need to know the pros and cons since they achieve the set goals differently.

Teeth Whitening

Pros

• The procedure reduces the appearance of surface stains caused by smoking and taking certain foods and drinks
• It is a quick and effective way of whitening your teeth
• It is a non-invasive and pain-free affair
• It is a relatively cheaper option than veneers

Cons

• You might experience tooth sensitivity after the procedure
• The procedure is entirely cosmetic and will not fix other issues, such as gaps or minor cracks
• The procedure is not permanent and requires occasional touch-ups

Dental Veneers

Pros

• Dental veneers can whiten teeth and solve other cosmetic and structural issues, such as gaps and cracks.
• Veneers are a permanent solution since they are bonded to the front surface of your tooth.
• If you go for porcelain tooth veneers, you will not need to worry about tooth discoloration since they are stain-resistant.
• Veneers are durable and natural-looking

Cons

• The procedure is minimally invasive, which means that our dentist has to use a numbing agent to eliminate discomfort
• It takes two appointments to get veneers
• Veneers are quite costly than teeth whitening

Which One Should You Choose?

First, your goals and preferences will help you zero in on the option that will suit you. So, you will need to consider the state of your teeth. Teeth whitening is the best option if you have surface stains caused by food and drinks. However, veneers will be the better option if you have deeper stains.

Second, do you have the time? Your willingness to wait will help you decipher which option you can choose.

Third, you have to consider the price. Veneers can permanently alter your smile, but the procedure is more costly.

If you have considered the above points, then you can choose the option that works for you. You can contact us at Excel Dental Care to schedule an appointment.