Does the color of your smile make you want to hide your teeth every time you look into a mirror? If so, have you considered whitening your smile? Professional teeth whitening can lift stains and whiten teeth several shades, leaving a smile more radiant. However, in some cases teeth whitening treatment is not the answer. Read below as your Houston TX dentist, Dr. Deborah Gennero, discusses teeth stains and their treatment below.
Intrinsic and Extrinsic Stains
Teeth stains are often classified into two categories based on where they exist in the tooth. If the stains are deep within the tooth, they are called intrinsic stains, while those stains that exist on the surface are called extrinsic stains. Intrinsic stains may be the result of overexposure to fluoride, trauma, and certain medications, and unfortunately, teeth whitening treatment is not meant to target these stains. Extrinsic stains, on the other hand, can be lifted with teeth whitening treatment. A common cause of extrinsic stains is overexposure to dark pigments like those found in coffee and soda.
Treatment for Intrinsic Stains from Your Houston TX Cosmetic Dentist
Because intrinsic stains cannot be removed with teeth whitening treatment, patients should turn to other cosmetic procedures to get the radiant smiles they desire. Two treatments that can improve the appearance of intrinsic stains include dental bonding and the application of porcelain veneers. Dental bonding creates a new and unstained surface on the outside of teeth with a composite resin material. The composite resin is tooth-colored and is the same material used in white dental fillings. Once the resin has been applied to the tooth, it is hardened to create a tough surface that covers the intrinsic stains. Veneers also mask intrinsic stains, but they do so by attaching porcelain shells to the teeth. These shells have a very realistic look, even down to the sheen they produce when they reflect light.
Visit Your Houston TX Cosmetic Dentist
Do you dream of a whiter smile? Contact your Houston TX cosmetic dentist, Dr. Gennero, today at (281) 578-6200 to schedule an appointment or a consultation. Our 77084 dental office gladly treats patients in Clear Lake, The Woodlands, Katy, Sugarland, and surrounding cities.
