If you have discolored teeth, it’s common to want to hide your smile instead of showing it off. But there are multiple ways you can take care of discolored teeth and get a whiter smile. Dr. Paul Larsen of Larsen Family Dental, a cosmetic dentist in Bountiful, UT, explains what’s offered at our office.
Professional Teeth Whitening
This is probably what you think of when you think about getting a whiter smile. Professional teeth whitening provides a much better result than the products you can get at a drugstore. Over the counter whitening products are usually one size fits all. This can give you an uneven result or get the bleaching agent on your gums, causing issues with sensitivity.
At Larsen Family Dental, we offer both in-office and at-home teeth whitening options. In the office, after a cleaning, protection will be applied to your gums to protect them. Dr. Larsen will apply the whitening gel to your teeth, where it’ll turn your teeth several shades whiter in one go. We offer a package that gives you the in-office treatment, a take-home kit, and a couple of boost treatments.
For the take-home option, we make customized whitening trays that are designed to fit perfectly to your teeth. This allows the whitening gel to be applied to your teeth evenly and to keep the whitening agent off of your gums. You put bleaching gel in the trays and wear them on your teeth. Dr. Larsen will tell you how long to wear the whitening trays each day and for how many weeks you should continue treatment.
Porcelain Veneers
Not all stains and discolorations on teeth can be taken care of with traditional teeth whitening. Porcelain veneers offer a solution. They’re made of shells of high-quality dental ceramic that goes over the front and sides of the tooth. Veneers are designed to be durable and stain-resistant, a solution for years to come.
To get porcelain veneers, we’ll first remove a small portion of your tooth structure. This is to make room for the veneers and to make sure they fit comfortably. Impressions are taken for the veneers to be custom-made. When they’re ready, we’ll fit them to your teeth and make sure they look and feel the way you want. Once you’re satisfied, they’ll be permanently bonded to your teeth.
Dental Bonding
If you’re looking for an economical option or aren’t ready to commit to a permanent restoration, dental bonding may be the choice for you. It’s a quality alternative to veneers. The bonding material is made up of a composite resin that’s color-matched to the rest of your smile. The resin can be shaped and molded, allowing you to treat cosmetic chips during the process as well.
A minimal amount of your tooth structure is removed to ensure the bonding material adheres to your tooth. The resin is applied, completely covering the tooth. Once you’re satisfied, a special light will be used to harden and cure the resin. Dr. Larsen will then polish the resin to make sure it matches the sheen on your natural teeth.
Get a Whiter Smile with Your Bountiful, Utah Cosmetic Dentist
We have many options to make sure you get the whiter smile you’re looking for. Call us or schedule an appointment online.