Most of you are not gifted with a set of bright, shining, and white teeth. You prefer not to smile openly in public because you are afraid of embarrassment. Crooked teeth or misaligned teeth or dental discoloration are some of the reasons why people stop themselves from smiling openly. However, with the help of dental veneers in London and teeth whitening treatment, you can get rid of your dental insecurities. After all, your smile boosts your confidence. It gives you the self-esteem to appear smart and confident in front of all.
Both the teeth whitening treatment and the dental veneer treatment aim at improving the appearance of your teeth. Here lies a million-dollar question: Which one to choose – teeth whitening treatment or dental veneer treatment? We have an answer for you.
In this blog, we will share with you a comparative analysis between teeth whitening treatment and dental veneer treatment. We have considered some factors to draw a comparative analysis between the two. So, by the end of the blog, we will clear your dilemma. Let’s begin.
Points of differences between teeth whitening and the dental veneer
To provide you with a detailed comparison between teeth whitening treatment and dental veneer treatment, we have considered some factors. These factors will help you to understand how a teeth whitening treatment differs from a dental veneer treatment. Go through each of the points highlighted below:
1. Definition
The process the dentist follows to make your natural teeth look whiter and brighter than before is known as a teeth whitening treatment. To ensure that your teeth look more natural and whiter, the dentist uses some bleaching agents, ultraviolet light therapy, and sanding technique as the condition of your teeth demands. To put it simply, the two-tier purpose of the teeth whitening treatment is:
- To use any bleaching agent to remove the stains from the teeth
- To improve the appearance of your teeth
On the contrary, in a dental veneer treatment, the dentist uses a thin shell on the surface of your teeth to make them look whiter and brighter than before. Here, these thin shells are given a color and texture similar to your natural teeth. Hence, it becomes challenging for people to identify if you are wearing anything on the top of your teeth. Generally, dentists prefer applying these dental veneers to the top 8 teeth on the front.
2. Different types of teeth whitening and veneers
There are different types of teeth whitening techniques. Not all teeth whitening procedures are suitable for everybody. In fact, your teeth condition, and gum health will determine the most suited treatment for you. Some of the common teeth whitening options are as follows:
- In-office teeth whitening treatment
The in-office teeth whitening treatment is a quick process where you have to visit the dentist’s chamber to undergo the treatment. Here, the effects last longer. The dentist uses concentrated hydrogen peroxide on the surface of your teeth and cleans it thoroughly. If required, the dentist may also use light to excavate the stains and dirt from the surface of the teeth.
- At-home teeth whitening treatment
In the at-home teeth whitening treatment, you have to consider two vital things:
- The dentist will give you a teeth whitening kit
- The dentist will instruct you on the way you can use it
As a preparatory step, the dentist may take measurements of your mouth and teeth to develop customized trays that fit into your mouth. All you need to do is to add the teeth-whitening gel and wear the tray. Let the teeth whitening gel and tray sit for 30 minutes to an hour. Continuing this process for a few weeks is sure to give you positive results.
- Teeth whitening toothpaste
You must have come across a variety of teeth-whitening toothpaste available in the pharmacies. These kinds of toothpaste use chemical blue covarine and abrasives along with hydrogen peroxide to clean the surface of your teeth. Indeed, this will not give you instant results. Instead, when you start using the toothpaste once a day, you are sure to see the results by the end of two weeks.
- Teeth whitening strips
Another effective teeth whitening material is the whitening strips. You can get these strips from any drug store as they belong to the category of OTC medication. The presence of a tiny amount of hydrogen peroxide on the strips helps to whiten your teeth. To get the results, you can apply these strips more than once a day. Make sure to follow the instructions mentioned in the packaging of the teeth whitening strips.
- Teeth whitening home remedies
Finally, you have the natural home remedies that people have been relying on for ages to whiten their teeth. Right from activated charcoal to baking soda, all of them have a mild abrasive nature that helps to remove the stains from your teeth and make them appear whiter and brighter. However, none of these natural components have hydrogen peroxide or any other chemical compounds in them for cleaning.
Again, similar to the teeth whitening treatment, the kind of veneer the dentist will use depends on your teeth condition and oral health. The three types of dental veneers are as follows:
- Porcelain veneers
Often, the dentist first prefers to grind your teeth to remove all the plaque, dirt, and bacteria and then move on to taking the impression of your teeth to create the mold. Next, the dentist uses the mold to create the porcelain veneer. After the veneer is ready, the dentist places it on the surface of your teeth. Until the preparation of the veneer, the dentist asks every patient to use temporary ones.
- Composite resin veneers
In the case of using composite veneers in London, the dentist will first carve the surface of your teeth and then proceed to apply the composite material in a thin layer. Until the dentist has achieved the desired look for your teeth, he will keep on using the composite resin material. For finishing the process, the dentist will use a special UV light to harden the resin.
- No-prep veneers
The no-prep veneers are the Vivaneers and Lumineers. These are ready-to-use porcelain veneers. Not only are they less invasive, but also take the least time to fix and use.
3. Treatment maintenance
In the case of both teeth whitening treatment and dental veneer treatment, the maintenance is slightly different. If you have undergone the dental veneer treatment:
- Make sure to avoid chewing on anything hard.
- Never use your teeth to tear any packaging.
- Always wear a mouth guard while playing any sport.
- Use a retainer, if you have a habit of grinding or clenching your teeth.
On the other hand, to maintain the white teeth you have achieved after the teeth whitening procedure:
- Abstain from drinking a lot of dark-colored foods and drinks like coffee.
- Make sure to brush your teeth after every meal.
- Go for dental check-ups at regular intervals.
- Brush and floss properly to remove dirt and food particles from between the teeth.
Conclusion
Thus, this difference between teeth whitening and dental veneer treatment must have clarified your doubts. However, the teeth whitening and dental veneers cost in London are affordable and within the pocket pinch. Before undergoing the treatment, make sure to ask in details about the procedure and the cost.