Are stained teeth bringing you down? If so, you may be wondering what you can do to make your pearly whites white again. There are several options available. The one you choose depends in part on the severity of the staining as well as the root cause behind it. The following guide can help you understand your options.

Whitening procedures

There are two primary whitening options: at home or at the dentist office. Both types use a dental bleach to remove the stains from your teeth. Logically, those used under the guidance of a dentist are much stronger than home procedures. Your dentist will also be able to customize the strength of the whitening solution for each tooth, which is useful if some teeth are more stained than others.

Whitening is a good option if the stains are purely on the surface of the enamel, such as those stains caused by tobacco use, tea and coffee, or wine. Deeper stains or a naturally yellowed tooth enamel may not be removed by whitening. Also, if you don't change the habits that lead to staining, they will return and you will need to have regular whitening treatments. Contact professionals at a local dental office, like The Family Dentist, for more information on teeth whitening.

Veneers

Veneers are most suitable for stains that can't be removed by whitening alone. They are also a good option if there are other issues with your teeth, such as uneven length or minor gaps. Keep in mind that veneers are a permanent solution – you can't remove them later.

The enamel must first be ground down. Then, your dentist will custom fit a porcelain veneer to the front surface of the tooth. This is permanently glued in place. Veneers are primarily only used on the front teeth, which are the ones that show when you smile.

Crowns

Crowns are sometimes used to cover staining on molars. This is when the bulk of the stain is on the biting surface, which a veneer won't cover. Crowns are also only used when the stains penetrate the enamel and can't be removed by whitening.

Some dentists won't use crowns but instead will use a porcelain or composite resin to cover the stain. They then shape it so it looks like your natural tooth surface. This is similar to a filling, but without a cavity. Much like veneers, both crowns and resin caps are permanent solutions and the staining shouldn't come back.

For more help, contact a cosmetic dentist in your area.