You want to look your best around the holidays and in the coming months – and that includes a white smile. Fortunately, you still have time to revive your dull teeth before ringing in the New Year! There is more than one way to get a bright smile. Your dentist will help you identify the whitening method that will work best for you.

Call us today to schedule a consultation: 804-607-9348 for our Mathews, VA location or 804-455-8263 for Deltaville. In the meantime, check out some of the pros and cons for three whitening options: professional whitening treatments, dental veneers, and dental bonding. 

Professional Whitening Is the Most Conservative Option

The simplest and least expensive whitening method can work well for many folks. Our products have a higher concentration of whitening agents than the stuff sold at drugstores, so they work better. We offer a choice of an in-office whitening treatment or convenient home whitening. 

Professional Whitening Pros:

  • Fast Results – You can lighten the color of your teeth by several shades with just one treatment in our office. If you whiten at home, it will take longer. Still, you’ll have a brighter smile in no time after only a few weeks of using professional-strength gel and custom-made trays. 
  • Safe and Supervised – Our products have the approval of the American Dental Association – something that many store products do not. In addition, we’re always ready to provide answers or help with your whitening process. 
  • Simple Process – Whitening has less of an impact on your tooth enamel than bonding or veneers. Plus, the home option gives you the ability to do it yourself. 

Professional Whitening Cons:

  • Limited Longevity – Your results will last anywhere from a few months to about a year, depending on how you care for your teeth. That’s far less time than bonding or veneers.
  • Won’t Work on All Stains – Some kinds of discoloration can’t be removed with whitening. 
  • Can Cause Sensitivity – You may feel some temporary sensitivity after your treatment. Fortunately, it won’t last long. 

Bonding Offers More Lasting Results Than Pro Whitening

For a bonding treatment, your dentist applies thin layers of tooth-colored composite resin to your teeth, then hardens it with a special light. This conceals staining. The resin is the same material that is used for tooth fillings. This whitening method offers a mid-range solution between whitening treatments and veneers. 

Dental Bonding Pros:

  • Affordability – Bonding costs less than dental veneers. 
  • Speed and Ease – Depending on the number of teeth involved, it’s often possible to complete a bonding treatment in just one visit. It requires less alteration of your teeth than veneers. 
  • Versatility – In addition to discoloration, bonding can also cover flaws like small chips and gaps. 

Dental Bonding Cons: 

  • Durability – The material used for bonding is more prone to chipping and staining than the materials used for veneers. Bonding typically lasts several years – but veneers can easily last a decade or longer.
  • Won’t Work as Well for Some Flaws – Bonding also doesn’t work as well as veneers for covering some imperfections. Veneers can change the size and shape of teeth, as well as the color. 

Veneers Give Your Teeth a More Dramatic Transformation

Dental veneers are custom-made dental restorations, often crafted from porcelain or a similar material. They are applied to the front surface of your teeth to hide stubborn stains and many other kinds of flaws. They are sometimes called “instant orthodontics” because they can even conceal slightly crooked teeth. 

Dental Veneer Pros:

  • A Bigger Change – Veneers cover the entire front surface of your teeth, and they are cemented securely into place. So they are more versatile than bonding. They can change almost anything about your smile’s appearance. 
  • Longevity – Veneers also last longer than bonding, at least 10 years. They will often last longer than that, depending on the material used for the veneers and how well you care for your teeth. 
  • Stain Resistance – Veneers are less susceptible to damage like chips and staining. 

Dental Veneer Cons:

  • Higher Cost – Veneers are more expensive than whitening or bonding. 
  • More Invasive – Depending on the type of veneers used, your dentist will likely need to remove some enamel from your teeth. This permanently alters the appearance of your teeth. If veneers are removed for any reason, you’ll need to cover your teeth again with veneers or another restoration like crowns. 

Want to find out which whitening method is right for you? We’re happy to help! Call Lennon Dental Center in Mathews, VA 804-607-9348 or Deltaville 804-455-8263.