This article was published by Dental Studio SF under its previous ownership. The author is no longer with the practice.
Here at Dental Studio SF, we often perform porcelain veneer and teeth whitening treatments to help patients who want to reduce signs of stains and give their teeth a healthier, more refreshed look. Porcelain veneers and teeth whitening procedures are two of the most popular aesthetic dental care treatments available, and each of these options can ultimately have a beautiful, transformative effect on an individual’s smile. With that in mind, it’s important to know the distinctions between them and why one may be more beneficial than the other, depending on the severity of tooth discoloration.
Professional, in-office teeth whitening procedures involve the application of powerful bleaching agents to the teeth. This quick process can dramatically lighten the shade of the teeth and diminish signs of stains and discoloration. Teeth whitening can often be good for patients who have general, mild to moderate discoloration affecting the teeth. For many patients, it can be the ideal treatment option; for others, porcelain veneers may be recommended.
Porcelain veneers can often be more advantageous for patients who have very severe stains affecting specific teeth. Veneers are delicately and precisely made to conceal dental imperfections by covering the front and side portions of a tooth with thin, natural-looking porcelain material. The porcelain can be color-tinted to a healthier shade, allowing it to completely conceal a deep stain on a tooth. Compared with teeth whitening, a porcelain veneer treatment is a bit more invasive; however, the results can last longer than a teeth whitening procedure, and veneers can address aesthetic conditions for which teeth whitening is simply not capable of improving.
During your initial consultation, our dentist will examine your teeth and talk with you about your goals. Whether teeth whitening or porcelain veneers offer the better option for your needs, you can rest assured that your treatment will be completely customized in order to produce the best possible results and a glorious new smile! Please contact us today with any questions you may have, or to set up an appointment.