Discolored teeth can make you want to hide your smile instead of showing it off. Teeth staining and discoloration can be caused by many things. At Foxhall Smiles, we offer various solutions to make sure you can get the whiter smile you’re looking for. Dr. Joseph Catanzano, a Washington DC dentist, highlights these offerings.
Professional Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening is the traditional way many people think that dentists use for teeth whitening. It’s much preferred over over the counter whitening. It’s more even and avoids the one size fits all materials that over the counter whitening techniques use. It also doesn’t cause tooth sensitivity and is specially fitted so that the bleaching gel doesn’t come into contact with your gums.
At Foxhall Smiles, we offer Zoom! teeth whitening right in our Washington DC dentist office. Dr. Catanzano will place a barrier between your gums and teeth to ensure the gums aren’t impacted by the bleaching gel. The gel is carefully applied to your teeth. A special light is then used to activate the gel, giving you teeth up to eight shades whiter in about an hour!
While this can be used as a quick solution for an event you have coming up, it can also be done multiple times to get the shade you want. Periodic touchups may also be needed to ensure your smile stays the way you want it.
Porcelain Veneers
Some staining and discoloration can be caused that’s resistant to traditional whitening techniques. For example, certain medications often cause splotchy stains that are hard to remove with traditional whitening gel. Porcelain veneers are a great solution for these teeth. They’re made of a thin shell of dental ceramic that covers the front and sides of the tooth.
Porcelain veneers are shaped to blend in seamlessly with the rest of your smile. They’re color-matched to the rest of your teeth and are durable and stain-resistant so they stay the shade you want. Porcelain veneers are considered a permanent restoration. A small amount of your tooth is shaved away to make room for the veneer. It’s then permanently bonded to the outside of your tooth.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding can be considered a more economical option compared to porcelain veneers. It’s cheaper and is also good for people who aren’t ready to commit to a permanent restoration just yet. The dental bonding material is a composite resin that can be shaped and molded, as well as color-matched to the rest of your smile.
Your tooth is prepped so that there’s room for the bonding material and so it adheres to the tooth better. Dr. Catanzano will paint a thin layer over the tooth, making sure that it looks the way you’d like. When you’re both satisfied, a special light will be used to cure and harden the resin. It’s polished up so that the sheen of that tooth matches that of the rest of your teeth.
Tooth Whitening at Your Dentist in Washington DC
Are you looking to get a whiter smile? Call us or schedule an appointment online to get started.