Treatments for Stained and Discolored Teeth - Tooth Whitening and Porcelain Veneers

Teeth that are yellowed or stained in some way will make your smile less appealing and attractive. This can lead to varying levels of self-consciousness and even a reticence to smile. Thankfully there are some dental car treatments that are designed to improve the appearance and lighten the shade of stained teeth.

Professional Tooth Whitening

One of the first treatments a person may turn to is tooth whitening and bleaching. There are a variety of teeth whitening and bleaching products available over the counter, such as toothpastes, gels, strips, and retainers. However, these over-the-counter teeth whitening products are not as effective as a treatment you can receive from a dentist. Professional dental bleaching is much more potent and effective, and can lighten even a severely stained smile by a great degree. Your dentist may combine in-office teeth whitening treatments with supervised use of at-home whitening kits. Be sure to consult your dentist before undergoing this treatment.

Porcelain Dental Veneers

For teeth that are severely stained and do not respond to at-home teeth whitening kits or even professional dental bleaching, it may seem like there is no hope for successful treatment. That assumption is actually incorrect, as porcelain dental veneers may be able to mask even severe staining on teeth. Porcelain veneers are ceramic shells that can be placed on your teeth in order to conceal minor misalignment, minor chips, small gaps, and even certain degrees of staining. Your dentist will place the porcelain dental veneers with the utmost care, finding a shade for the veneers that looks natural so the end result does not look artificial or too noticeable.

To learn more about the above cosmetic dentistry treatments as well as other dental care options for diverse problems, including dental implants and implant dentistry, Invisalign®, sedation dentistry, or a complete smile makeover, it is important to visit our cosmetic dentists serving Memphis, Tennessee.