When it comes to an aesthetic smile, a relatively common issue that gets in the way for many people is stains. They can make your grin look a bit dull and yellow rather than the shiny, bright one you want. However, before you can get rid of this imperfection, it’s important to know what type you have. It might seem odd that there are differences in dental discoloration, so here’s what you should know and how to get back your gorgeous teeth.
What Are the Different Types of Stains?
There are two types of stains: those that affect the surface and others that go deeper than the first layer of a tooth. This is what you should know:
- Extrinsic Stains: Often seen as a yellow tint, these are on and within your enamel. Dark particles from certain foods and smoking can linger on your smile and make it look different than what it used to.
- Intrinsic Stains: These go much deeper and are typically on your dentin, which is underneath your enamel. Imperfections here are often caused by things like decay, genetics, and even certain medications (to name a few). However, these options often don’t whiten very well, so another service will be needed to get rid of them.
How Can I Get an Aesthetic Smile?
No matter the type of discoloration you have, your dentist is here to give you the aesthetic grin you dream of. Here are a few options you can consider:
- Professional whitening is great for tinting on and within your enamel. Using high-quality bleaching gels, they break down particles and give you up to an eight-shade difference. Better yet, you can get this service in-house or through a take-home kit.
- Veneers can be effective for stubborn stains like intrinsic ones. These are durable shells that are placed on the fronts of teeth, hiding flaws underneath. This can give you a dramatic, but balanced change.
- Direct bonding is great if it’s just a tooth or two that’s the issue! This service uses composite resin to cover the imperfection that bothers you.
Regardless, once you get your bright smile, you should do your part in preserving it! Keep up with brushing, flossing, and visits with your dentist; that way, they can make sure your teeth stay looking aesthetic for as long as possible.
About the Practice
At Hanford Family Dental Center, you benefit from the skilled leadership of Dr. Nikunj Raiyani and Dr. Navneet Randhawa. We are dedicated to helping the local community get the gorgeous grins they dream of with reliable cosmetic dental treatments.
By first figuring out your goals and unique case, we can come up with a plan that helps you feel more confident in the end. Better yet, you can preview your results before committing with state-of-the-art technology! If you have stains you want to get rid of, schedule an appointment or call our office at (559) 530-8080.