If you’re bothered by dental staining, it makes sense that you’d like to whiten your teeth! After all, a smile is one of the first things people tend to notice about others. It’s difficult not to be preoccupied with your appearance in this scenario.
But did you know that there are different types of dental stains? Depending on which one is yellowing your otherwise pearly whites, a professional teeth-whitening treatment could be more or less effective. Knowing the difference between these types of discoloration can help you choose the right treatment for you, so keep reading to learn more!
Extrinsic Stains
This is probably the type of dental stain you’re most familiar with. It can form simply from everyday wear and tear: residue pigments from the food and drink you consume build up on the surface of your enamel, creating a yellowish hue. Extrinsic stains respond the best to professional teeth whitening treatments, as well as regular brushing and flossing.
Intrinsic Stains
Intrinsic stains, on the other hand, are trickier to manage. This type of discoloration occurs when pigments slip past your enamel, creating stains in the deeper layers of your teeth. It might take multiple sessions of a teeth whitening treatment to eliminate these stubborn pigments. In severe cases, your dentist may instead recommend concealing the stains with dental bonding or veneers.
Age-Related Yellowing
It’s natural for dental enamel to wear down over time. Years of grinding and chewing will do that to almost anything! More to the point, though, as the enamel layer thins, more of the dentin layer becomes visible.
Dentin can be quite yellow, especially if both intrinsic and extrinsic stains are casting an off-white hue over it. Professional whitening and oral hygiene may be able to remove most of the discoloration, but if your teeth are overly sensitive due to thinned enamel, it may be better to get some extra protection from bonding or veneers.
Your Dentist’s Solutions
Let’s take a closer look at your treatment options: whitening, bonding, and veneers. When effective, the whitening process eliminates stains directly with a unique bleaching agent specially formulated for enamel. Bonding and veneers, meanwhile, simply conceal discoloration using tooth-colored materials to make your smile appear brighter. They can also add durable layers to your teeth, mitigating sensitivity.
Rest assured; you won’t have to make this cosmetic decision on your own! Your dentist will be able to guide you towards your best-fit solution after thoroughly examining your teeth. Heed their recommendations, and you’ll be on your way towards a beautifully bright smile!
About the Practice
Both Dr. Afshin Azmoodeh (“Dr. A”) and Dr. Tatyana Romanoff bring decades of dentistry experience to Legacy Trails Dental of Plano. They are extremely dedicated to their patients, diligently pursuing continuing education courses to keep their skills sharp so they can provide quality care. Dr. A and Dr. Romanoff emphasize giving each treatment a personalized touch; if you have special teeth whitening needs, they’ll work hard to give you a brighter smile! To contact their office, call 214-227-1000.