As we get older, our teeth tend to yellow and discolor. Time alone—not to mention coffee, tea, sodas, berries, and tobacco—can strip away that whiteness and leave our teeth looking dull. When this happens, you are often left wanting whiter teeth but aren’t sure which way to go about it. In this case, most cosmetic dentists will recommend professional teeth whitening, dental veneers, or both to give your teeth the brightness you so desperately long for. But what option is best, and why should you consider teeth whitening before dental veneers?
Advantages of Whitening Your Teeth Before Placing Veneers
Before we get into the advantages of teeth whitening, let’s define what dental veneers are and why people get them. After all, veneers can take care of many cosmetic issues you probably never thought of. To start, veneers can not only whiten teeth but can also correct their shape. Patients often choose veneers for the following reasons:
- Veneers can close spaces, fix alignment issues, or change the overall appearance of a tooth.
- Veneers are permanent and can last upward of 15 years.
- Home care for veneers is the same as for your natural teeth.
- Designing, creating, and placing veneers only takes a few visits.
- Veneers are minimally invasive, requiring little to no enamel reduction.
However, severe stains may still be visible through veneers. And once veneers are in place, whitening treatments cannot reach the underlying teeth. Therefore, most dentists recommend that patients undergo professional teeth whitening before considering dental veneers.
Why To Whiten Your Teeth Before Veneers
Again, severe discoloration may show through and affect how white your final veneers appear. Our dentists at Ada Smile Place recommend that patients whiten their teeth before proceeding with veneers for best possible results. It is also important to note that any existing veneers, crowns, or other restorations may no longer match your newly whitened teeth. In this case, it is best to have restorations replaced afterward for a bright, uniform smile.
In any case, if you want veneers, be sure to consider the following:
- Dental veneers are generally only applied to teeth within your visible smile.
- For your whitest possible smile, you should undergo professional teeth whitening first.
- Your veneers should then be matched to your newly whitened teeth.
- Unlike porcelain veneers, your teeth can become stained again over time. However, you can always whiten again later to maintain your smile.
- Your veneers will last a long time, so it’s worth investing in whitening first to get the shade you want.
Advantages of Teeth Whitening
Whether you just want a whiter smile or need to fix discoloration before getting veneers, you should know that teeth whitening has a bunch of benefits of its own.
- Teeth whitening can boost your self-confidence.
- Brighter, whiter teeth can make you appear more approachable and can put others at ease.
- Whiter teeth can make wrinkles less noticeable.
- Teeth whitening is an affordable cosmetic treatment.
- Professional whitening can often be completed at your dentist’s office in an hour or less.
- Your overall hygiene may benefit as those who feel better about themselves (and their smile) often take more steps to care for their oral health.
- Caring for professionally whitened teeth is no different than caring for your natural teeth: just brush twice a day, floss daily, and rinse with a fluoridated mouthwash daily.
Interested in teeth whitening and veneers in Ada, Oklahoma?
If you have discolored, misshapen, or chipped teeth, a combination treatment of teeth whitening and veneers might be just what you need to get the smile you love. Whether you are a new patient to Ada Smile Place or have been seeing us for years, we can help you achieve the smile makeover you desire. Contact us today by calling our office, or request an appointment using our convenient online form.
