Just because a smile is healthy might not mean it’s attractive. Minor cosmetic blemishes can detract from the beauty of your smile without compromising its strength, heath, or functions. A good example of this is discolored teeth.

Discolored teeth are often the result of dental staining, or exposure to deeply colored foods and beverages. Cosmetic dentistry treatments address aesthetic flaws to enhance the appearance of the smile. Dr. Sharon B. Mateja offers a number of cosmetic dentistry treatments for discolored teeth that allow her Rancho Cucamonga, CA, patients to brighten and whiten their smile.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is one of the most common treatments for discolored teeth. Teeth whitening uses bleaching agents to lift away dental stains and erase discoloration. There are many over-the-counter teeth whitening products, but none provide results as quickly or effectively as professional teeth whitening. As offered at our Rancho Cucamonga dental practice, in-office teeth whitening is completed in under an hour, and brightens the teeth by several shades in just one treatment. Teeth whitening is safe, non-invasive, and affordable, making it a great option for individuals who need to address widespread tooth discoloration.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is another affordable, non-invasive cosmetic dentistry treatment that can address discolored teeth. During dental bonding treatment a tooth-colored dental compound is applied and shaped directly to the teeth. Once the desired appearance has been achieved, the material is hardened with a special dental light that completes the bonding process. The material used for bonding treatment is strong and durable, so results can last for five to 10 years. However, dental bonding is not meant to address widespread discoloration. Instead, it is best-suited to patients who have small areas of tooth discoloration, such as one or two dental stains. 

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are thin ceramic shells that bond to the front of the teeth to hide a wide range of cosmetic imperfections. Porcelain veneers are completely customizable, so their size, shape, and color are all selected with the patient’s unique needs and desires in mind. Porcelain veneers dramatically improve the appearance of the smile, and with proper care, they can last for 10 years or more. However, porcelain veneers are more costly than most other cosmetic dentistry treatments, so they are generally recommended to our Rancho Cucamonga patients who have multiple aesthetic flaws, including dental stains, discoloration, chips, cracks, fractures, gapped teeth, missized or misshapen teeth, and/or minor misalignment problems.

All-Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain crowns are generally categorized as a restorative dentistry treatment, because they repair and strengthen teeth that have been damaged by decay, erosion, or injury. But porcelain crowns have cosmetic applications as well. If a tooth is badly discolored and cannot be corrected through other means of cosmetic dentistry treatments, or if discoloration is related to a dental trauma, then an all-porcelain crown may be the best treatment option. A porcelain crown sits over the natural tooth to restore its color and appearance while protecting the core of the tooth and its roots.

Contact Us

Discolored teeth can have a big impact on the overall appearance of your smile. Fortunately, there are many cosmetic dentistry treatments that address discoloration to restore a brighter, whiter smile. To learn more about the cosmetic dentistry services offered by Dr. Sharon B. Mateja, contact our dental practice online, or call (909) 989-5959 at your earliest convenience.