Yellow Teeth: Should I Consider Teeth Whitening or Veneers?

If your teeth are yellow, you can fix them. Teeth whitening and veneers work very well to brighten teeth, but each option has a different use and is designed to achieve different results.

Board-certified dentist Jason Ray, DDS, in Santa Monica, California, explains how he determines the best choice for patients.

What is tooth whitening?

Getting your teeth whitened at the dentist’s office is more effective than doing it yourself with over-the-counter products. The greater effectiveness is because dentists use a higher concentration of the bleaching agents. 

Dr. Ray can perform your professional whitening treatment in the office or provide take-home kits with custom-made trays and a professional-grade whitening agent.

Teeth whitening is excellent for removing stains caused by:

• Smoking or using tobacco products
• Drinking coffee
• Drinking tea
• Drinking red wine
• Eating certain staining foods, especially dark berries

You can expect to lighten your teeth by several shades with professional teeth whitening.

What are veneers?

Dental veneers are thin porcelain shells that go over the outside of your teeth. Because they have to be placed over your teeth, an ever-so-thin layer of enamel needs to be removed from your teeth to make room for the shells. 

This is considered a permanent option because once your teeth are filed down, you’ll need to stick with veneers. Most veneers last an average of 5-10 years.

Porcelain veneers are used to mask many dental imperfections, including chips and cracks. Dr. Ray recommends whitening them if your discoloration is intrinsic, rather than superficial. For example, stains caused:

• Genetics
• Certain medications
• Fluorosis

You may also want to opt for veneers if you are unable to achieve the level of whiteness you desire with traditional whitening treatment, as well as if you also want to cover other issues like cracks and chips

Veneers are the perfect way to get a “Hollywood” smile, and they can truly transform your teeth.

Which should you choose?

Whether to get teeth whitening or veneers largely depends on the results you would like to achieve and the current state of your teeth.

If your teeth are simply stained from normal use, whitening can be a good and affordable option. The results aren’t permanent, but you can repeat treatment as needed or maintain them with a take-home kit. 

Summer is just around the corner, and nothing sets off a tan like a sparkling white smile. To get yours, call Jason Ray's office, DDS, today or request an appointment online.