Burke, Fairfax and Fairfax Station, VA
Dingy, stained teeth can impact how you feel about your smile. If you deal with stubborn stained teeth, it’s natural to hide your teeth when smiling or not smile at all for fear of judgment from others. But stained teeth are common because of the foods and beverages we all consume. It’s common to have dingy teeth if you drink coffee, wine, or sodas. But the good news is that our Fairfax cosmetic dentist, Dr. Pamela Marzban, DDS, offers a simple and affordable solution to this common problem. So today on the blog, learn how to get whiter teeth at the dentist.
Teeth whitening: At the dentist or from the store?
Pass through any oral hygiene aisle at the store and you’ll notice a lot of products offering teeth whitening results for an affordable price. Toothpastes, mouth rinses, strips, and gels promise to deliver top-quality results in no time. Unfortunately, we hate to break it to you but using whitening toothpaste or rinses isn’t enough to make a dramatic change in the color of your teeth. Does it help maintain results? Possibly, but we don’t recommend paying extra money for store-bought “whitening” products.
What about whitening strips and gels? Do they work as good as professional whitening treatments? Truthfully, most people won’t see a big change in the color of their teeth when using store-bought whitening products. Teeth stains develop in two ways: surface stains, referred to as extrinsic stains, and stains within the tooth, referred to as intrinsic stains. Before you decide on any teeth whitening product, it’s best to understand what type of stain you’re treating, or you could end up wasting your money.
Teeth whitening treatments from the dentist are the most relied upon treatment for brightening your teeth. Not only are the solutions stronger, but they are also designed to be used for a shorter amount of time, which reduces tooth sensitivity. Additionally, many types of professional teeth whitening products address both extrinsic and intrinsic stains. Therefore, if you’re interested in teeth whitening, save yourself time and money, in the long run, and opt for professional whitening treatments in Fairfax.
Dental bonding: Brighter teeth without repeat treatments
Dental bonding is a step above teeth whitening because it provides permanent results. Bonding uses a resin material that is bonded to the tooth but looks incredibly natural and can conceal tooth stains and other imperfections like chips or minor tooth crookedness and fills gaps and helps resize teeth that are misshapen. Dental bonding is recommended for patients that not only want bright white teeth, but that may also have other cosmetic dental issues to address with their smile.
Porcelain veneers: The ultimate smile makeover
Porcelain veneers are the Cadillac of cosmetic dental treatments. They are permanent, look incredibly natural, and last for many years. Plus, they are stain resistant and do not decay. However, you still should take excellent care of your oral health to keep the underlying tooth structure in tiptop shape.
Veneers are thin porcelain shells that adhere to the front of a tooth. Therefore, your natural tooth is still exposed on the back sides, unlike when you get a crown, which completely covers the entire visible portion of a tooth.
Patients that have other aesthetic issues like chipped, crooked, or misshapen teeth and that want to have permanently whiter teeth should ask their Fairfax cosmetic dentist about veneers. Dentists use veneers and bonding for similar issues, although patient preference and long-term smile goals impact one option over the other. So, if you’re unsure whether bonding or veneers are right for you, schedule a consultation to learn more.
Cosmetic Dentist in Burke, Fairfax, and Fairfax Station, VA
Upgrading your smile by achieving whiter teeth can be a confidence booster. Plus, you’re more likely to want to care for your teeth better, protecting your investment. If you’d like to learn more about cosmetic dentistry or to find out which treatment is right for you, contact Pamela Marzban, DDS, by calling (703) 323-8200 to schedule your consultation.
