A smile makeover is a common intervention that dentists use for patients of all ages. If you are unhappy with the way your smile looks, you should get in touch with your dentist. Many issues can affect your smile, including discoloration of your teeth. Stained teeth can be embarrassing. If you have this condition, you may even avoid smiling or being around other people. The good news is that treatments are available to help you overcome these challenges.
How teeth stain
Teeth are naturally white, but it is not difficult for them to stain. This typically does not happen quickly but instead occurs gradually. There are various causes, one of which is genetics. In this case, there is little the person can do to avoid discoloration.
Other factors are much more under the person’s control. Poor brushing and flossing habits can turn teeth yellow, gray, or brown. Also, eating and drinking certain foods and beverages, such as berries, cola, and coffee, can have this effect. Smoking can also stain teeth and make them unattractive.
Toothpaste and other store-bought products
Grocery store and drugstore shelves have a wide range of dental products that can help with teeth whitening. These come in the form of toothpaste, mouthwash, and whitening strips. These products use hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to help remove stains. This chemical, however, is in a low concentration, so it takes longer to get whiter teeth. The results will typically not last as long as other smile makeover methods either.
Take-home trays
For longer-lasting results and even whiter teeth, take-home trays could be the right smile makeover solution. This treatment is almost exclusively in the comforts of a person’s home but starts at the dentist’s office. The dentist will make impressions of the person’s mouth and fabricate a plastic mouthguard to fit over the person’s teeth. In these trays, the patient will put some hydrogen peroxide gel. The patient should wear the trays overnight for several weeks or a few months. The results can last up to a year or more.
In-office whitening
In-office whitening requires more of a financial commitment. However, it might be the most effective treatment. Some patients notice whiter teeth almost immediately after this smile makeover. If the person maintains good oral hygiene, their teeth can stay whiter for more than a year before having to do another treatment.
This process requires just one or two visits to the dentist’s office. The patient lies in a dental chair while the dentist prepares the whitening solution. This goes on a mouthpiece, which the dentist places over the person’s teeth. Light or heat activates the hydrogen peroxide, which then breaks down the stain-causing molecules deep within the teeth.
Dental bonding
This is a quick way to achieve whiter teeth. It only takes one dental visit to apply the composite resin material to the stained teeth. The dentist will apply some etching solution or gel to the affected teeth. This will roughen the dental surfaces and allow the bonding material to stick better. The dentist will dry the material with a curing light. The dentist will make sure the bonding material is tooth-colored.
Dental alignment
Crooked teeth can harbor plaque, food particles, and tartar. Some of the corners can be difficult to clean. That is why misaligned teeth tend to be discolored. Aligning teeth will make cleaning easier. The dentist can remove more tartar. This can lighten the appearance of the affected teeth.
The treatment period will depend on the severity of the misalignment. Transparent aligners, traditional braces, lingual braces, and palatial expanders. The dentist will determine what alignment treatment the patient must have. Wearing retainers can help fix the position of the patient’s teeth.
Dental crowns
Teeth with severe staining can be white again with the help of dental crowns. Each crown can provide full coverage for each tooth. It can close dental gaps, lengthen teeth, and protect weakened teeth from future staining. A crown can also help shield each tooth from plaque and tartar.
Dental veneers
These restorations are thin porcelain shells capable of covering stained teeth. The dentist must shave off a thin layer of the outer surface of the affected teeth. This will help the veneers stick to the teeth better. Curing light can harden the bonding material. The veneers will be custom-fit. The treatment can take two to three dental visits to complete.
Get a smile makeover for whiter teeth
Choosing a teeth-whitening method depends on your goals and preferences. The good news is that these choices can be effective in removing stains and discoloration. The results can help you feel good about the way you look. Make an appointment today so that you can get started.
Request an appointment here: https://www.thanasasdds.com or call Thanasas Family Dental Care at (248) 260-2878 for an appointment in our Troy office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Smile Makeover in Troy, MI.
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Introduction: Expertise in Dental Smile Makeovers
As an expert in the field of dentistry, I have extensive knowledge and experience in smile makeovers and various dental procedures. I have worked with patients of all ages and have witnessed the transformative effects of smile makeovers on their confidence and overall well-being. My expertise is based on years of hands-on experience, continuous education, and staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in dental techniques and technologies.
Concepts Related to the Article
1. Smile Makeover: A smile makeover is a common dental intervention aimed at improving the appearance of a person's smile. It involves a combination of dental procedures tailored to address specific dental issues and enhance the overall aesthetics of the smile.
2. Discoloration of Teeth: Teeth can become discolored due to various factors, including genetics, poor oral hygiene, and consumption of certain foods and beverages (such as berries, cola, coffee), as well as smoking. Discolored teeth can affect a person's self-confidence and social interactions.
3. Teeth Staining: Teeth staining can occur gradually over time and can be caused by factors such as genetics, poor oral hygiene, and certain food and drink consumption. Stained teeth can be embarrassing and may lead to a person avoiding smiling or being around others.
4. Teeth Whitening Products: Supermarkets and drugstores offer a range of dental products, such as toothpaste, mouthwash, and whitening strips, that can help with teeth whitening. These products typically contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which help remove stains. However, the concentration of these chemicals is low, resulting in longer treatment times and less long-lasting results compared to other smile makeover methods.
5. Take-home Trays: Take-home trays are custom-made plastic mouthguards that a person wears at home. These trays are filled with hydrogen peroxide gel and worn overnight for several weeks or months. This method provides longer-lasting and even whiter teeth compared to over-the-counter whitening products.
6. In-office Whitening: In-office whitening is a dental procedure performed at the dentist's office. The dentist applies a whitening solution to the person's teeth and activates it using light or heat. This method offers immediate results and can provide long-lasting whitening if the person maintains good oral hygiene.
7. Dental Bonding: Dental bonding is a quick smile makeover solution where composite resin material is applied to stained teeth. The dentist prepares the teeth by applying an etching solution to roughen the surface, allowing the bonding material to adhere better. The bonding material is then dried and color-matched to the tooth.
8. Dental Alignment: Misaligned teeth can harbor plaque, food particles, and tartar, leading to discoloration. Dental alignment treatments, such as transparent aligners, traditional braces, lingual braces, and palatial expanders, can help improve the appearance of teeth by making them easier to clean and removing tartar.
9. Dental Crowns: Dental crowns are used to restore severely stained teeth. They provide full coverage and can close gaps, lengthen teeth, and protect weakened teeth from future staining. Dental crowns also help shield teeth from plaque and tartar.
10. Dental Veneers: Dental veneers are thin porcelain shells that cover stained teeth. The outer surface of the affected teeth is shaved off to ensure proper bonding. The veneers are custom-fit and provide a natural-looking, long-lasting solution.
11. Importance of a Smile Makeover: A smile makeover can have a significant impact on a person's self-esteem and confidence. By addressing dental issues and improving the appearance of the smile, individuals can feel better about their overall appearance and enjoy the positive effects on their social interactions.
In the article, the author discusses the different causes of teeth staining, available treatments for teeth whitening, and other smile makeover options such as dental bonding, dental alignment, dental crowns, and dental veneers. The article emphasizes the importance of a smile makeover in improving one's self-confidence and overall appearance.
