13 Quick Facts on Teeth Whitening & Dental Veneers

The media claims porcelain veneers and teeth whitening to arguably be the fastest-growing dental trend, and not expected to stop in the upcoming years.

But how much do you know about these treatment options?  Well, Sbenati Dentistry in London, Ontario, is here to help raise awareness and answer your questions about these two cosmetic enhancements.

Can you whiten your teeth if you have veneers?

Dental veneers are made of porcelain for a natural look and unfortunately don’t work well with traditional teeth whitening methods.  Veneers can only be whitened before they are placed on your teeth.  At Sbenati Dentistry we use digital smile design to show our patients what their veneers will look like on their teeth and whiten them if desired before the procedure starts.

Which veneers are better?

At Sbenati Dentistry we use porcelain veneers because they are stronger and improve the appearance of your teeth more than composite veneers. Porcelain veneers also last longer, are more comfortable and are comparably more stainless than other veneers.

Should I whiten my teeth before veneers?

If you want to whiten your dental veneers you should craft them to reflect the desired shade of your smile.  At our dental clinic, we use digital smile design to digitally show our patients what their smile will look like after teeth whitening.

Can you use whitening trays with veneers?

No, you cannot use whitening trays with veneers as the solution won’t work with the resin of the veneers.  When the shade of the veneers eventually fades, you’ll have to get them replaced at your dentist’s office.

What veneers last the longest?

Porcelain veneers are the strongest and most durable resulting in the best final product for your teeth.  At Sbenati Dentistry with the help of 3D imaging and printing software, we develop perfect veneers in terms of shape, size, and colour.

Will veneers change my teeth?

Porcelain veneers at Sbenati Dentistry help support the skeletal and muscular structure of your face thus making your cheekbones and whole face more symmetrical.  The results are so amazing that it’ll look like you got a facelift without ever needing surgery. We also offer a smile test drive so you can see the exact result before any commitment.

What teeth whitening do dentists use?  

At Sbenati Dentistry, Dr. Halim Sbenati believes in Opalescence Go. The trays have superior adaptability to help the maximum amount of gel stay in place during the whitening process.

Are teeth whitening kits safe?

According to recent clinical studies, at-home teeth whitening kits products bought through retail or from your dental clinic are safe when instructions are thoroughly followed.  Your dentist however will have access to stronger ingredients and custom-made trays to ensure the trays stay in place during treatment and that you can get the most beautiful smile possible.  Having your teeth whitened in a professional setting also reduces the risks of teeth erosion, sensitive teeth or gums, and long-term dental problems.

How does teeth whitening work?

At Sbenati Dentistry a strong whitening solution will be placed inside of your custom-made trays for approximately 30 minutes.  Barriers and retractors will be used to stop you from swallowing the solution and a gel to your gums to keep them safe during treatment.  The solution will penetrate to remove stains deep within your teeth’ enamel, helping to create a beautiful white smile.

Why does DIY teeth whitening not work well?

At-home whitening kits can fail at times for a variety of reasons like not following the instructions closely, the standard trays not fitting your teeth well, and not having the materials to protect your gums.  DIY teeth whitening options at-home solutions are not as strong as the products that are available at your dentist’s office.  Certain DIY teeth whitening methods can also lead to teeth erosion and more sensitive teeth.

Can teeth whitening damage my gums?

Teeth whitening will not cause any long-term or permanent damage to your gums.  Temporary gum or soft tissue irritation, however, is not an uncommon risk factor of teeth whitening.  It is similar to sunburn without the risk of cancer.

Will teeth whitening remove stains?

Yes, professional teeth whitening is effective in removing both extrinsic and intrinsic stains whereas at-home solutions are only effective when dealing with surface stains.  To get the best results with correcting discolouration you should visit us at Sbenati Dentistry in London, Ontario.

Who is the best candidate for teeth whitening?  

Teeth whitening works best on healthy teenagers that don’t have teeth sensitivity issues especially if their teeth have a yellow tone.  Patients who smoke, drink wine, or enjoy dark pigmented foods (like blackberries) or have gum issues may not be good candidates for this treatment.  You should not get teeth whitening treatments done if you are younger than 16, pregnant, and/or are allergic to any of the ingredients in the whitening solution.

Conclusion:

There are questions we get all the time about porcelain veneers and teeth whitening options but if we missed anything we encourage you to reach out to us with any other questions.

If you would like to ask our dental clinic in London, Ontario, any questions or schedule an appointment you can use our Request An Appointment form, email us at Info@sbenatidentistry.ca, or give us a call at (519)-474-0220

If you enjoyed this article, check out our other blogs.

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