Dental Bonding Or Whitening Treatments...Which Is The Best Choice For Your Stained Teeth?
When your teeth are stained or discolored, it can be hard to make yourself smile and you have probably learned how to smile with a closed mouth. Fortunately, there are options for whitening your teeth, but choosing the most appropriate option will depend on the severity of the staining. Therefore, it is a good idea to be aware of the following details about two popular options for improving your smile.
Understanding Dental Bonding Versus Whitening Treatments
One of the most important facts that every dental patient considering having their teeth whitened needs to be aware of is that whitening treatments and teeth bleaching are not the same thing. Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, mandates that bleaching can only be used to describe the process of causing your teeth to appear lighter than they would be naturally.
Therefore, bleaching refers to treatments that contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.
Opting For Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is a non-invasive, quick way to address stained teeth. As with all cosmetic dentistry, your teeth and gums must be free of decay and in good overall health in order to be able to benefit from it. However, it is important to note that badly stained teeth, especially if the discoloration is present throughout most of one or more of your teeth, will typically see better results from whitening treatments, as discussed later.
Dental bonding involves the use of a resin that closely matches the color of your teeth. It will be carefully applied to the affected areas of one or more of your teeth, at which time you will spend a few minutes under a special light, in order for it to harden. Assuming that you see your dentist as recommended and care for your teeth as you should in the future, it is quite possible that your improved smile can last for ten years or more.
Planning For Dental Whitening
Dental whitening can be done at home or under the care of your dentist. You are almost undoubtedly aware that there are tooth pastes, dental strips, mouthwash and similar products available from grocery, drug and discount stores that can improve the color of your teeth. While most are effective, at least short-term, they don't provide the long-term, significant changes you might want. For instance, the toothpaste typically permits you to lighten your teeth one shade. The strips provide better results, but WebMD reports that results only last four months.
For professional whitening services, your dentist can make a mold of your teeth and design a tray that contains a whitening product for you to wear. You can use that tray in-office or take it home with you and you will be asked to wear it for a significant period of time. Unfortunately, if you take it home, you may find that your teeth or gums are overly sensitive afterwards. If you receive that treatment in-office, your dentist can monitor the procedure more carefully and apply a product to provide extra protection to your gums and mouth.
In conclusion, in modern society, impaired teeth can often make socializing with others and even getting a good job more challenging. As a result, if you are unhappy with the discoloration of your teeth, it's best to speak with your dentist as soon as you can about the treatment options discussed above.