Teeth Whitening vs. Veneers: Which Is Right For Me?

One of the first things that anyone notices about you is your smile. So, who doesn’t want to make theirs brighter and whiter? 

Dental options available today make this an easy wish to accomplish. But how do you know which one is right for you?

Two great choices include teeth whitening and veneers. However, they offer very different pathways to getting the smile you desire.

To make the right decision, it starts with a consultation at our practice where we have two locations — one in New York City and one in Washington DC. At SPA Dental Group, we first learn about your desires for an aesthetic smile and look at other factors, too. 

Here’s what you need to know about your options:

Teeth whitening

If you already have good-looking teeth, and they simply need a whitening boost, a professional teeth whitening treatment from our team at Spa Dental Group might be the best option for you. The treatment only takes an hour, and you walk out the door with a smile up to eight shades whiter. 

Teeth whitening targets stains and discoloration, reversing the result of routine wear. We use the Opalescence™ teeth whitening system to give you the smile you desire. 

In addition to in-office services that only take an hour, we also offer at-home kits that can make your teeth whiter in just a few nights. The at-home kit also gives you the option to maintain your white smile.

Teeth whitening doesn’t offer a permanent solution, but it’s something you can repeat as needed to continue the benefits of having a whiter smile.

Veneers

Veneers brighten your smile and offer other positive changes. With veneers, you can improve the entire look of your smile.

The process involves placing either a resin composite or porcelain tooth-colored shell on top of the front surface of your natural teeth. To get veneers, you can expect two dental visits, each lasting a few hours. The procedure involves the shaving down of your natural teeth to make room for the veneers on top. The entire process from start to finish takes about six weeks.

Before getting veneers, we have to determine if you’re a candidate, which involves a diagnostic evaluation. If you have oral health issues, we have to address those before moving forward.

If you move forward with veneers, you also select your color from a chart. That allows you to determine the shade of whiteness you want.

Veneers permanently alter your natural teeth. They can correct issues, such as:

• Discoloration
• Chips
• Cracks
• Uneven alignment
• Spacing
• Worn tooth enamel

Clearly, veneers can certainly whiten your teeth, but they offer a lot more.

Making a decision

If you’re simply wanting whiter teeth, teeth whitening is a fast and easy treatment that can last several months. You can also continue maintenance at home or book repeat appointments with us for in-office “tune-up” visits.

If you want a more robust overhaul for your smile that’s permanent, and if you have good oral health, veneers might be the best choice for you. 

To achieve the smile you desire, we can make that happen. Call our friendly office staff today to book your consultation so we can review your options. You can also book an appointment online for convenience.