Cosmetic dentistry is constantly searching for the most effective solutions to correct various dental concerns. Issues such as discoloration, gaps, cracks, etc. spoil the aesthetics of the face and deprive a person of confidence and happiness. Fortunately, modern dentistry has many ways to cope with such challenges. Two of the most popular are teeth whitening and veneers. They partially overlap in their capabilities but, at the same time, have significant differences. Find out which option for correcting tooth imperfections will be the most preferable in your situation.
How to Choose Treatments to Correct Dental Imperfections
When choosing between veneers and whitening, it is not enough to evaluate these technologies alone. The key is their benefit in relation to your case. When a person comes to the Vip Dental Care in Forest Hills, NY, dental clinic, specialists thoroughly examine the patient’s teeth. Based on their deep knowledge of dental technologies and extensive experience, they give valuable advice on the best cosmetic solution. If you are far from the clinic at the moment, you can conduct a self-examination to identify all possible imperfections:
- Worn-down teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Cracked teeth
- Missing teeth
- Excessive space between teeth and more
So, the decision you make should depend not on which dental technology is more advanced but on what specific deficiencies you have found in your oral cavity.
Problems That Can Be Solved with Teeth Whitening
The range of issues that teeth whitening can effectively solve is significant but narrow. These are primarily the following aspects:
- Brightening of tooth enamel;
- Bringing the color of all teeth to a single tone;
- Removing pigment spots.
If a patient does not have other significant deficiencies in the oral cavity, teeth whitening will be enough to make their smile shine.
The Purpose of Veneers in Modern Cosmetic Dentistry
Aesthetic restoration of teeth with veneers has many more possibilities. In addition to whitening and color-matching teeth, they solve the following problems:
- Correct the shape and position of teeth;
- Hide chips and cracks;
- Align small irregularities on teeth;
- Fill interdental spaces.
So, if a person has many noticeable imperfections in the teeth, only veneers can create an ideal smile. Teeth whitening will eliminate only one or two problems, but will leave the others unresolved.
Medical Procedures That a Patient Undergoes in Each Case
Another important factor to compare is the reversibility or irreversibility of the changes. After all, sometimes, a person chooses one solution but then changes it for another. Here is a huge difference between veneers and teeth whitening:
- To maintain a shining smile, a person must whiten their teeth regularly. After the procedure, they darken again over time. The speed with which this happens depends on the individual characteristics of the person and the procedure they chose. On average, the duration of a positive result varies from 6 months to 3 years.
- Veneers retain their effectiveness much longer, even if you choose an option made from cheaper materials. For example, veneers made from the most durable material, zirconium dioxide, can last more than 20 years. And a more budget option, composite veneers, retain their ideal appearance for 5-7 years.
Therefore, you should first decide how long you want the effect to last. Still, remember that the dentist grinds down your teeth to install veneers. So, if, for some reason, you don’t like them, you can’t just take them off and live your life as before.
Budget Considerations in Choosing Cosmetic Dental Imperfections Treatments
The main factors that determine the cost of a particular dental solution are:
- The amount of work the dentist performs;
- Materials for manufacturing veneers or whitening solution;
- Equipment required.
Teeth whitening can be done in 1 session, either in the dental office or at the patient’s home. Veneers require several visits to the dentist because a dentist must measure your teeth, make the veneers, try them on, adjust them, and then install them. You will also need to see your dentist periodically for checkups. That is why veneers will be significantly more expensive.
On the other hand, if you want your smile to be sparkling white forever, you will need to have your teeth whitened regularly. This also includes some expenses, so you will pay less but more often. Veneers are a more permanent solution. So, by making a larger initial investment, you will be able to avoid the expense for many years to come.
The Bottom Line
To make a final choice between veneers and whitening, it is best to visit a dentist. In addition to the fact that they will conduct a comprehensive diagnosis of the teeth, they will tell you the cost of each option. Having received such complete information, you will make a more confident and informed choice. In this case, the chosen solution will certainly be optimal, and you will feel that you have achieved your goals.
