A bright white smile looks healthy and fresh; patients with dental discoloration often come to our Orland Park cosmetic dentists because they are looking for ways to minimize discoloration and regain a bright and luminous smile. The good news is that we offer a number of effective treatments that will allow you to take years off of the appearance of your smile.
The first thing to keep in mind is that natural dental enamel shades vary greatly from patient to patient. When you look at pictures of your younger smile, you may be able to get a better idea of your innate dental shade.
If you’ve developed environmental stains over time, those are stains that occur due to foods, drinks, and tobacco products, you may be able to lift these stains with professional dental whitening treatment. This topical treatment helps to restore your teeth to their underlying shades.
Teeth that are discolored due to injury or structural changes to a patient’s smile, may be better treated with cosmetic treatments that cover the patient’s existing enamel.
For example, dental bonding allows our team to cover the visible tooth with a thin layer of composite resin. This resin can be shaded to the patient’s specifications. Once our dentist applies the resin to the enamel, we cure it so that hardens and bonds to the tooth. The result is a tooth that is visually transformed, and looks fresh, clean, and healthy. Bonding is exceptionally versatile, and the entire treatment process can be completed in just one appointment.
Another option is to resurface problematic teeth with porcelain veneers. These thin porcelain restorations are completely crafted and perfected prior to application. Our team will size, shape, and color the veneers to enhance the patient’s existing smile. Because porcelain reflects and absorbs light similarly to real enamel, veneers look impressively natural.
When you come in for a consultation with our Tinley Park cosmetic dentists, we will determine what type of discoloration you’re dealing with, and point you toward a treatment solution that fits your needs. Give us a call to get started!