Differences Between Porcelain Veneers and Teeth Whitening
People put a premium on our smiles and the condition their teeth are in. Everyone wants to smile and when they do, they want it to be dazzling. Life, however, specifically, a life with coffee, tea, and other substances that can stain teeth, rob us of that dazzling quality. To address that, there are two popular options: Teeth Whitening and Porcelain veneers, but which is the better alternative? If you’re looking at cosmetic dentistry services in Houston, TX, including teeth whitening or porcelain veneers, here is what you need to know.
Speed
Cosmetic dentistry teeth whitening in Houston, TX is definitely faster, usually only taking a little over an hour. Veneers can take multiple weeks (up to about six weeks in comes cases) and visits. If the patient has broken or decaying teeth, repair work will need to be done first for whitening as bleaching or whitening unhealthy teeth can be extremely painful.
Longevity
Much of what you choose will be driven by what you are looking to accomplish you’re your cosmetic family dentistry in Houston, TX. Teeth whitening is an effective quick fix. Your teeth will have to be bleached regularly though in order to maintain the initial brightness achieved the first time they were whitened. Porcelain veneers are much more oriented towards the long haul. In some cases, they can last as long as 15 years.
Teeth whitening
Teeth whitening is definitely the way to go if upfront price is an issue and your cosmetic dentistry in Houston, TX, offers the service at a reasonable price. Whitening typically costs several hundred dollars and varies based on the intensity of the whitening required. Price can also be impacted by the location you are having it done. Porcelain veneers are much more expensive, but the price is controllable somewhat based on how many teeth need to get veneers.
Teeth Work
In either case, depending on the issue, teeth that are damaged, decaying, or broken may need to be fixed. Just about every dentist will recommend it before pursuing whitening or veneers. Not doing so can negatively affect the ability of veneers to work and in the case of whitening, as mentioned, can be extremely painful if a tooth or teeth are in severe decay.
Both veneers and teeth whitening are viable options if your teeth are stained from coffee, tea, or nicotine. Each plays a unique role and offers unique benefits in the effort to lighten the color of teeth. Both have upsides and downsides that are largely dependent on what the patient is expecting to see as an end result. You should discuss these options with your cosmetic dentistry services in Houston, TX.