Discolored Teeth

Berks County, Reading and Wyomissing, Pennsylvania

Suffering from discolored teeth is not only embarrassing-it truly can affect your life, socially and professionally. It is a fact that people are often judged by first appearances. What do people generally see first when meeting you for the first time? They see your smile. If you cover your mouth or avoid smiling at all because you have discolored teeth, Dr. Schwartz of Wyomissing, Pennsylvania can help you.

There are two types of discoloration generally seen on guest’s teeth. Extrinsic (external) discoloration is caused by medications or certain foods and drinks. Intrinsic (internal) discoloration can be caused by any of the following:

Metabolic disorders
Dentin defects
Flourosis
Systemic syndromes
Tetracycline stains
Tooth trauma
Enamel hypoplasia

Depending on the type of discoloration you are suffering from, you may consider tooth whitening, bonding or porcelain veneers as possible restorative cosmetic dental procedures. Which treatment will work best for you should be discussed thoroughly during your initial exam.

Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is designed to treat superficial discoloring of the teeth. It usually works best for mild discoloration that is uniform over most of the visible teeth. The bleaching technique used on you will be time and dose sensitive depending on how severely your teeth are stained. The darker the stain, the more time will be needed for the bleaching agent to oxidize the staining molecules. Whitening can be done by the dentist in his office or through the use of a take-home teeth whitening kit that Dr. Schwartz designs for you.

Bonding
Although it is not a preferred solution, dental bonding may be an option when your teeth are discolored beyond the point that teeth whitening is an option. The bonding resin is designed to cover the whole surface of your teeth in order to whiten and brighten the entire tooth while maintaining its strength and integrity.

Veneers
Porcelain veneers are durable ceramic wafers that are bonded to the fronts of your own teeth. If the staining on your teeth is too severe to be treated through teeth whitening, you may choose to go this route to restore them to a brighter, whiter appearance.

It is very important that you consult with your cosmetic dentist before making any decisions concerning your discolored teeth. Depending on your individual circumstances, some methods for repairing your discolored teeth may work better than others. To learn more about what treatment is right for you, please contact Dr. David A. Schwartz at his Wyomissing, Pennsylvania Family and Cosmetic Dentistry practice today.

Phone: 610.670.6910