Do you cringe when you notice someone pull out their phone to take a picture with you? When you look in the mirror, are your eyes drawn to the pesky discoloration of your formerly pearly whites? You might be wondering what caused your teeth to get like that in the first place. Luckily, a cosmetic dentist in DeSoto has the answers. Keep reading to learn the reasons behind tooth discoloration, and how your dentist can help.
What Causes Teeth Stains?
There are two kinds of dental stains: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic stains are typically caused by habits like smoking, poor oral hygiene, and consumption of darkly pigmented foods and drinks, like coffee and wine. Intrinsic stains, on the other hand, occur deep within the tooth. They may be the result of problems like injury, too much fluoride consumption during dental development, or exposure to certain medications like tetracycline when younger. Fortunately, your dentist offers ways of correcting both extrinsic and intrinsic stains.
What Options Does Your Dentist Offer?
Because dental discoloration is fairly common, dentists have several methods of fixing that problem, such as:
Teeth Whitening
When looking to correct stains, many people first consider teeth whitening in DeSoto. You can choose to brighten your smile either in the office or with take-home kits made with customized trays designed to fit snugly over your teeth. By using an ultra-potent bleaching gel stronger than anything you can find elsewhere, your smile can be brightened by up to eight shades.
Porcelain Veneers
Sometimes extrinsic stains may not respond well to traditional teeth whitening treatment, which is where porcelain veneers can help. Veneers are thin shells of dental porcelain that are bonded to the front surfaces of your problem teeth to give them the appearance of being effortlessly perfect. However, a small portion of enamel must be removed to make room for each veneer.
Cosmetic Dental Bonding
Bonding is a more affordable and conservative alternative to veneers. Using a putty-like composite resin, your dentist can sculpt and mold your tooth into the desired shape and size. Additionally, this material can be color-matched to correct stains while blending in with the rest of your smile.
Having discolored teeth can make life difficult. However, keep in mind that you have several options to treat your problem. Ask your dentist which treatment is best for you.
About the Author
Dr. Suzanne Najjar achieved her doctorate at Nova Southeastern University. She has also undergone special dental implant training from the Advanced Dental Implant Research and Implant Center. She particularly enjoys cosmetic dentistry, including the procedures listed above, as a way to transform her patients’ smiles. To learn more about how Dr. Najjar can help rid your teeth of stubborn stains, contact her office at (972) 230-1100.