discolored teeth

Getting Rid of Discolored Teeth

Having discolored teeth can make you hide your smile instead of showing it off as you should. At Cosmetic Dentistry Associates, Dr. Peter Auster, a dentist in Pomona, NY, and his team want to make sure you have a smile you want to show everyone.

Professional Teeth Whitening

This is probably what you think of when you imagine getting your teeth whitened. Professional teeth whitening is superior to the products you can get at a drugstore. Over the counter teeth whitening products are often one size fits all. They can be ill-fitting, which results in uneven results and gum sensitivity if the bleaching agent comes into contact with the soft tissues in your mouth.

At our office, we’re proud to offer Zoom! professional whitening products. We have both take-home and in-office whitening options. In the office, you can get a whiter smile in about an hour. Bleaching gel is carefully applied to your teeth by one of our experienced dentists. A special light is shone to activate the bleaching agent. This is ideal if you need whiter teeth quickly for an event or something coming up.

Take-home teeth whitening is a more gradual process. We’ll take impressions of your teeth to craft custom whitening trays to fit you perfectly. As each patient is different, your dentist will determine the length of your treatment and how long to wear the trays each evening. Typically, you’ll wear the trays for a few hours a day over the course of multiple weeks.

Porcelain Veneers

There are some stains and discolorations that may be resistant to traditional teeth whitening techniques. These include discoloration because of a dead tooth or stains from genetics or medication. Porcelain veneers offer a solution. They’re thin shells of high-quality dental ceramic that go over the front and sides of the tooth. Veneers are designed to be durable and stain-resistant and can last for a long time.

For porcelain veneers, some of your tooth structure will be removed. Impressions will be taken to get veneers that are designed to fit your teeth. When they arrive, they’ll be fitted on your teeth and make sure they’re comfortable and look the way you want. Once you’re satisfied, they’ll be permanently bonded to your teeth. They’re designed to last for years to come.

Dental Bonding

If you’re looking for a more economical option or aren’t ready to commit to a permanent solution, dental bonding can also whiten your teeth. It’s made of a biocompatible resin that’s color-matched to the rest of your smile. Some of your tooth structure is removed to make sure the bonding material can adhere to the tooth properly.

The dentist will put the resin over the entire tooth. It can be shaped and molded, which means any cosmetic chips you have can be taken care of at the same time. Once you’re satisfied, the resin will be hardened with a special light. The material will then be polished so it matches the natural sheen of the rest of your teeth.