Everyone wants to have a beautiful white smile that they’re ready to show off any given time. Discolored teeth are one of the most common problems our patients have. Many reasons can cause you to have discolored teeth. Each cause can impact how our dentist treats the stained teeth.
If you’re suffering from discolored teeth in Northeast Philadelphia, Dr. Drew Shulman can help you. He has treatments that can give you the sparkling smile you dream of. The cause and severity of your tooth discoloration will determine the treatment option that’s best for you.
What Causes Tooth Discoloration?
For starters, our teeth naturally get more discolored as we age. The layer of enamel starts thinning, showing more of the yellow hue of the dentin underneath. Genetics may also make you more predisposed to tooth discoloration.
Our lifestyle habits make a huge impact on the color of our teeth as well. Certain medications can cause staining of various colors on the teeth. Using tobacco and regularly drinking staining drinks like coffee or tea can discolor your teeth faster. These extrinsic stains occur on the outer layer of the tooth enamel.
Stains that occur beneath the tooth enamel, within the dentin layer are intrinsic stains. Trauma that affects the tooth’s nerve can cause an intrinsic stain, as well as many other factors. Factors like aging, certain medications (such as tetracycline antibiotics), and excessive fluoride intake during childhood.
Poor oral hygiene can cause discoloration as well. Inadequate brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings can lead to a buildup of plaque and tartar on teeth. Regular dental check-ups, professional cleanings, and good oral hygiene practices are essential to prevent and manage tooth discoloration.
Treating Tooth Discoloration
We have many ways we can fix discolored teeth at our Philadelphia dental office. First, you’ll have a cosmetic dental consultation with Dr. Shulman. He will assess the discoloration of your teeth and discuss treatment options with you. Depending on your situation, Dr. Shulman will recommend one of the following treatment options.
Professional Teeth Whitening
We offer both in-office and at-home professional teeth whitening. In the office, we use the Zoom! teeth whitening system. You can get teeth up to eight shades whiter in about an hour at our office.
First, we will cover your gums before applying the whitening gel to protect them. Then we will use a special light to activate the whitening agent in the gel. In-office teeth whitening treatments are a great way to quickly get whiter teeth.
At-home teeth whitening is more convenient but is also a more gradual process. First we take molds of your mouth to create custom bleaching trays. You can wear the trays for a few hours each day or while you’re sleeping for convenience. In about two weeks, you’ll see the results of your teeth whitening procedure.
To learn more about our teeth whitening treatments, visit Teeth whitening.
Porcelain Veneers
We cannot remove all stains with traditional whitening methods. For these instances, porcelain veneers are available at our dental office. Porcelain veneers are ideal for intrinsic stains because they effectively mask the discoloration from such stains.
Intrinsic stains are more difficult to remove through conventional teeth whitening methods. Since intrinsic stains are deep within the tooth enamel, applying whitening agents on the surface of the teeth will not work.
This is where porcelain veneers come into play. Veneers are thin shells of dental ceramic that go over the front and sides of your teeth. The porcelain in veneers is extremely durable and has the ability to mimic the natural sheen of tooth enamel. Dr. Shulman designs veneers to precisely match the color, shape, and size of adjacent teeth.
Porcelain veneers offer a comprehensive solution for teeth with intrinsic stains. The veneer covers the stained tooth surface entirely, and effectively masks the underlying discoloration.
Since porcelain is a non-porous material, it’s highly resistant to staining. This means the veneers will maintain their color and shine for a long time. This makes them an excellent choice for individuals with stubborn intrinsic stains that traditional whitening methods cannot address.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is a more economic way to get the same coverage as veneers. The dentist uses a malleable composite resin that he matches to the color of your teeth or the shade you choose. Your dentist will mold it to the shape of your tooth, harden it with a curing light, and polish it to match the natural sheen of your real teeth.
However, they are a more temporary solution. You should plan on it lasting around three to ten years, depending on how well you take care of your teeth.
Get Treatment for Stained Teeth in Our Dental Office
Professional solutions are far better than over-the-counter kits to treat discolored teeth. Let our trusted professional give you the smile that you’re searching for using teeth whitening treatments. Call us or schedule an appointment online to whiten your teeth today!