Professional teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments, but in some cases, it may not be enough to erase particularly stubborn or intrinsic (internal) tooth discoloration. Before undergoing treatment, your dentist will carefully examine your teeth to determine the nature and severity of your teeth stains. If teeth whitening won’t work for your specific situation, then we can recommend a more appropriate option to improve your smile, such as cosmetic tooth bonding or porcelain veneers.
The Nature of Teeth Stains
Determining whether or not teeth whitening will work depends largely on the type of stains that have developed on your teeth. The most common types are known as extrinsic stains, or external stains, and they develop on the surface of your tooth enamel. Even stubborn extrinsic stains can typically be erased with professional teeth whitening treatment.
In some circumstances, stains and discoloration can develop underneath the semi-translucent enamel of your teeth. Intrinsic stains noticeably affect your smile’s appearance, but because the blemishes are underneath the surface, the bleaching agents in professional teeth whitening cannot reach or erase them. In such cases, improving your smile’s appearance will depend on addressing the cause of your tooth discoloration and/or concealing it with a more involved cosmetic treatment.
Other Ways to Improve Your Smile
For patients who experience intrinsic tooth staining, we offer a variety of cosmetic and restorative options that can restore their confidence in their smiles. For instance, tooth bonding can erase concentrated spots of discoloration on a single tooth, though a dental crown may be more appropriate if a significant portion of the tooth is discolored. If you have several teeth that need improvement, then porcelain veneers may provide a better solution. Veneers are designed to closely mimic natural, healthy tooth structure, and can be bonded to the front surfaces of one, several, or all of your teeth, as needed.
Learn What to Do if Teeth Whitening Doesn’t Work
For certain types of tooth discoloration, teeth whitening may not be the best option. If teeth whitening won’t work, then find out what your options are for improving your smile. To learn more, schedule a consultation with your dentist by calling Syosset Dental in Syosset, NY today at 516-433-2211 or 516-921-1678.
