3 Options for Whitening Your Teeth

White teeth are considered a sign of youth, health, and vitality. At one time, the whiteness of a smile was simply the luck of the draw, as medications, dietary choices, genetics, and aging all play a role. Today, though, anyone can have a stunning, bright white smile. Here are 3 options for whitening your teeth.

You can find whitening gels, rinses, and toothpastes in any supermarket or drugstore. For those with healthy teeth and gums, these products are generally safe and can give you a temporarily whiter smile. However, they do not last as long or whiten as well as professional whitening products.

For a strong, long-lasting solution, we can whiten your teeth in our office in a single visit. We offer a variety of options for different levels of staining. Or, if you prefer, we can take dental impressions and use them to create personalized mouth trays for you to whiten in the comfort of your home. Please note that at-home whitening may take as long as a month, depending on the current color of your teeth and the results you want to achieve.  We suggest coming in for a free consultation to help determine which type of whitening would work best for your teeth and lifestyle. 

When backed by twice a year professional cleanings, excellent oral hygiene, and an occasional at-home touch up, professional teeth whitening can easily last for over a year. We will let you know what to expect based on your individual circumstances.

If your teeth are badly stained, they may need a bit more than bleaching. Composite bonding can be performed in a single appointment. We will apply a flexible dental resin to your teeth and then shape and sculpt it by hand. We will then harden it under a specialized light. In addition to staining, composite bonding can cover small gaps and chips, and even make minor corrections to the size and shape of each tooth. It does not last as long as porcelain veneers, but composite bonding is a durable, mid-priced solution.

For teeth that are healthy but do not look their best, porcelain veneers are the top of the line solution. They can cover not only deep staining, but also minor misalignment, gaps, chips, and many other cosmetic imperfections. They can also adjust the length and shape of individual teeth. Dental porcelain closely mirrors the sheen, translucency, and color of natural teeth to give a highly aesthetic yet natural looking smile.

We may be able to whiten your teeth first, and then color-match porcelain veneers for your front teeth to the brighter shade. Just keep in mind that you will need to whiten your teeth regularly to maintain the match.

Though porcelain veneers cost more than composite bonding, they last far longer. With excellent oral hygiene, regular cleanings, and proper care, they can easily last for years.

At one time, bright white smiles were only for the very wealthy and those who were born lucky. Today, a range of options at different price points let everyone achieve a stunning white smile.

If you’re ready to get started with a highly experienced dental team in NYC, contact Meridian Dental Group today at 212-813-0850 to schedule your first appointment.