Dental stain can mar your smile even if you have straight teeth. Stain can occur from consuming beverages and/or foods like coffee, tea, cola, red wine, tomato based sauces, beets, many berries; lifestyle habits like tobacco use can make teeth appear yellow and brown; advanced age is no excuse for stained teeth.
Zoom teeth whitening is available with in-office treatment that can be completed in one brief dental appointment. For patients that prefer to lighten their teeth in the privacy of home, take home whitening kits are available that will provide similar results although it will take a little longer to complete the process.
For intrinsic dental stains that are not impacted with teeth whitening, your cosmetic dentist may recommend a process by which the stained teeth are covered with very thin shells called Lumineers. Known more generically as veneers, teeth that require treatment are covered with tooth colored and shape matching Lumineers. This is a minimally invasive procedure that is reversible. For a more permanent solution, porcelain veneers are permanently cemented to teeth.
If teeth contain spots or streaks due to fluorosis (over fluoridation) or any medication that may have stained your teeth, there is a treatment whereas the stains can be treated with a tooth colored composite resin. The process involves roughing the surface of the tooth, applying the bonding, drying with a curing light or laser … and repeating the process as needed. The bonding agent matches the shade of the tooth making this repair virtually invisible.
When teeth straightening is needed, Invisalign clear plastic aligners are available to correct the malocclusion. A series of aligners are fabricated using 3-D digital technology … updating the aligners every couple of weeks allow teeth to be gently shifted to their correct position using this undetectable method of treatment.
Any or all of these dental procedures will enhance your smile and provide a rejuvenating lift that will make you look and feel younger.
Contact the office of Drs. Bonner and Huriega for more information about making your smile look and feel younger.