With Halloween coming, you’ve probably seen fake, blackened teeth in stores. Stained teeth might be a great accent for a costume, but you wouldn’t want to worry about them in real life. If your smile is marred by dental discoloration, we have several solutions that can help.

The best way to find out which cosmetic treatment is the best choice for eliminating tooth stains is by scheduling a consultation with one of our dentists. Call us today at 502-783-6322 for an appointment in Frankfort, KY. In the meantime, we’ve provided some information on our teeth whitening options.

Teeth Whitening Is a Simple Solution for Stained Teeth

The simplest and most affordable option is professional teeth whitening. At our office we offer Philips Zoom Night White, a product you wear while you sleep. It’s more effective than products sold in drugstores because it has a higher concentration of bleaching ingredients. Using impressions of your teeth, we’ll also make custom whitening trays for you. The trays make it easy to get complete coverage of your teeth.

Not all stained teeth respond well to whitening treatments, however. In some cases, discoloration is due to the inside of your tooth showing through thin enamel. This can happen when you get older or if you have certain medical conditions. Brown and yellow stains are also typically easier to remove than blue or gray stains. Fortunately, you do have options for stubborn stains.

Cover Stubborn Stains With Bonding or Veneers

For stained teeth that don’t respond well to whitening treatments, we offer two ways of covering up the discoloration: dental bonding or dental veneers. We know several factors will affect your decision, including your budget. We can help you choose the one that best suits your smile.

Bonding involves the application of composite resin (the same material used for fillings) in a shade that matches your other teeth. Your stains will disappear, while the bonding material blends in easily with the rest of your smile. In addition to stains, bonding can cover minor flaws like chips, worn spots, and small gaps.

Bonding can typically be completed in one trip to our office. It costs less than veneers. However, it won’t last as long. Bonded teeth are also more susceptible to staining than veneers.

Veneers will give you a more dramatic transformation. In addition to the color, they can change the size, shape, and length of your teeth. Many celebrities use veneers to achieve their picture-perfect smiles.

We offer veneers made of porcelain or ceramic, materials that look natural and resist staining. They are far more durable than bonding. While bonding usually only lasts a few years, veneers typically last at least a decade and can last many years longer than that.

We usually need to remove a tiny bit of enamel from the surface of your stained teeth to prepare them for veneers. Because of this, the process isn’t reversible. You’ll need to always cover your teeth with veneers or another restoration like crowns.

Want to hear more about your options for correcting stained teeth? Call us at 502-783-6322 to request your next appointment in Frankfort, KY.