Professional teeth-whitening is one of the most convenient and effective ways to improve your smile when your teeth have become stained. However, teeth-whitening isn’t always the best option, and if it won’t work for your teeth stains, you may wonder how exactly you can improve your smile’s appearance. At our Newhall, CA, dental office, also offer several other highly customizable cosmetic treatments that can successfully address severe tooth discoloration and make your smile one you can be proud to show again.
When teeth-whitening isn’t effective
For most common types of teeth stains, teeth-whitening is the best option. That’s because common teeth stains are extrinsic, or external, meaning they develop on the outside of your teeth’s surfaces. Teeth-whitening involves using a topical bleaching agent to break up and remove stains from your tooth enamel, brightening the tooth underneath it as well. Yet, if your teeth stains are underneath the enamel of your teeth, known as intrinsic (internal) discoloration, then the bleaching agent won’t be able to remove them. Before recommending another treatment, we’ll carefully diagnose the cause of your tooth discoloration to determine which option would most effectively address it.
Finding the source of your teeth stains
Common, extrinsic teeth stains can develop naturally from exposure to your food and beverages, but internal tooth discoloration can often have a more serious cause. For example, some patients develop tooth discoloration as the result taking certain kinds of medicines or antibiotics. Others may have one or more discolored teeth because of internal tooth decay and/or damage. Dental treatments are designed according to your specific needs and preferences, so improving or restoring your smile will first require a careful examination and accurate, precise diagnosis.
Considering your other options
After diagnosing the cause of your tooth discoloration, we can design a treatment plan to not only improve your smile’s appearance, but also address serious concerns such as internal tooth decay or damage. If the cause of the discoloration doesn’t pose a threat to your oral health – for instance, if it was cause by the use of certain medications – then you may benefit from one or more custom-designed porcelain veneers. If necessary, restorative treatment such as a tooth filling or dental crown can also be designed to address decaying or damaged teeth with lifelike and cosmetically pleasing results.
Learn how to successfully brighten your smile
When your teeth are discolored in a way that makes teeth-whitening ineffective, we can diagnose the source of your tooth discoloration and recommend a more appropriate option. For more information, schedule a consultation by calling Newhall Dental Arts in Newhall, CA, today at (661) 259-7760.