I want to get a smile makeover with porcelain veneers. My dentist said he wants me to get my teeth whitened first. I thought the porcelain veneers would change the color of my teeth. Why both procedures? I’m worried this dentist is doubling up procedures.
Cathy
Dear Cathy,
Believe it or not, your dentist is trying to save you money. Yes, porcelain veneers will change the color of your teeth, but unless you are willing to place porcelain veneers on every single tooth, teeth whitening is a better option for you. Of course, if you prefer to put a veneer on every tooth, I’m sure your dentist wouldn’t mind that.
The idea is to whiten your teeth to the color you’d want your porcelain veneers. It’s it is easier to match the porcelain veneers to the whitened tooth than it is to match whitened teeth to the color of veneers.
Additionally, unless there is something structurally wrong with your bottom arch of teeth, then teeth whitening is all you’d really want there. What shows when you are smiling is your upper teeth. Your bottom teeth are briefly visible while you talk, but as long as they match the color of your upper teeth, they look fine.
The Most Important Consideration with Porcelain Veneers
When you are considering getting a smile makeover, the most important factor is who does the smile makeover. You can have two dentists use the exact same materials and the smiles will turn out very differently. This is because cosmetic dentistry is actually an art form. One artist is bound to be better than another. So how are you to find the dentist with the right artistry who can give you a gorgeous smile?
If I were in your place, I’d look for someone who is proven. See if you can find an AACD accredited dentist in your area. They are among the top 1% of cosmetic dentists in the country. It is worth it even if you have to travel to see them.
This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Jerome Cha.