Teeth whitening is the procedure of making teeth whiter and therefore more attractive. Our office uses Nite White or Day White passive tray whitening.

The tray method involves having impressions taken, from which laboratory-fabricated custom vinyl trays are made. A carbamide peroxide gel is placed in these trays and the trays with gel are worn for about three hours or overnight. The entire process takes 3-4 weeks of daily use. The tray method is recommended for badly stained teeth, such as tetracycline staining, and it may take several months of use to see significant color improvement. For maintenance of whitened teeth, the trays should be used every several months.

Veneers are a dental procedure in which a covering is placed over the outside (visible area) of the tooth. Dental veneers are usually only done to the part of the teeth that are visible when talking or smiling. The procedure can be direct or indirect.

The direct technique usually involves placing composite resin on the outside of the tooth using bonding.

The indirect technique usually involves two appointments because the veneers will be fabricated at a dental laboratory. At the first appointment, the teeth are prepared, impressions are taken and the teeth are given a temporary covering. In two to three weeks, the veneers are back from the laboratory, the temporaries are removed and the veneers are bonded to the teeth. The laboratory fabricated veneers are usually made using porcelain or pressed ceramic and are very esthetic.

The advantage of dental veneers versus crowns is that much less tooth material is removed and the procedure is generally less uncomfortable. Veneers are recommended for teeth that have large fillings or little tooth structure.