Veneers vs. Teeth Whitening: What's the Better Option for a Brighter Smile?

Having a bright smile is becoming more of a standard in today's culture, with far more than just celebrities showing off dazzling white teeth. If you've been thinking about joining the many men and women who are upgrading their smiles to a brighter shade, you may have thought about options like professional teeth whitening and cosmetic dental restorations, such as porcelain dental veneers. While both can certainly help to boost your smile by up to several shades, each treatment has some important considerations that may mean one or the other is more suitable for you and your unique needs and goals. 

For example, patients who have existing tooth sensitivity may want to avoid the potential for increased sensitivity that could be experienced with certain types of tooth whitening treatments, while those who would like to address additional concerns simultaneously  — including chipped or uneven teeth — could benefit from porcelain veneers. Here, our Tupelo, MS cosmetic dentists — Dr. Richard Caron, Dr. John Kenney, and Dr. Emilie Caron Russell — at Tupelo Smiles share helpful information to make your decision between teeth whitening vs. veneers a clearer one. 

How can I make my teeth whiter?  

Although over-the-counter teeth whitening kits exist and may be effective in brightening your smile, they typically aren't able to produce as noticeable or as lasting results as are achievable with professional teeth whitening solutions. At Tupelo Smiles, we are proud to offer safe, effective, and long-term teeth whitening options with both in-office and at-home professional teeth whitening with the advanced collection of Zoom whitening systems. 

With professional dental whitening, many patients achieve up to eight shades whiter in just a single in-office session, while porcelain veneers can create a smile in almost any custom shade you desire. 

What are the benefits of veneers for whiter teeth?  

Porcelain dental veneers don't whiten your natural teeth, but they do conceal dental stains, dullness, and other types of discoloration to help create a much whiter and more even new smile. Compared with alternative whitening options, like Zoom teeth whitening, porcelain veneers offer some exciting benefits, including:  

• Ability to conceal other minor dental flaws and imperfections, like chips and gaps between the teeth, while simultaneously whitening your teeth 
• Can be matched to your surrounding natural teeth and/or customized in almost any shade of white that's right for your smile 
• Can last for up to 10 - 15 years or longer 

Should I get my teeth whitened or get dental veneers?  

Choosing between whitening vs. veneers can be challenging in some cases, as both have their advantages and potential downsides depending on a patient's individual circumstances. To determine which type of teeth whitening is right for you, our cosmetic dentistry specialists will carefully evaluate your overall dental and oral health, assess the types of staining or tooth discoloration you have, discuss your goals, and cover your available options, along with making a recommendation for your personalized treatment plans. 

Some things to consider when understanding how teeth whitening compares to porcelain veneers for getting whiter teeth include:  

• Dental veneers typically require at least two appointments, while teeth whitening can produce visible results in a single session 
• Veneers often last up to 10 – 15 years, whereas teeth whitening treatment may need to be repeated every year or two to maintain your desired shade of white 
• Patients may experience increased dental sensitivity after tooth whitening, though this is usually one of the mild and temporary side effects of teeth whitening 
• Porcelain veneers cannot be whitened, meaning replacement veneers may be necessary at some point in the future should you notice your veneers are getting stained (which can be minimized or avoided with appropriate oral hygiene and curbing intake of staining foods and beverages, tobacco, and nicotine) 
• Professional teeth whitening offers patients the freedom to choose at-home Zoom whitening for their primary course of treatment or touch-up sessions 

The choice between veneers or whitening is ultimately a personal one, but our knowledgeable team is here to help you make a decision you can feel comfortable and confident about. 

Take your smile to the celebrity level with professional teeth whitening in Tupelo, MS  

Don't sit back and admire your favorite influencers' bright white smiles from afar any longer. If you're ready to start showing off a stunning new smile with confidence, our Tupelo, MS family dentists and cosmetic dental specialists are here to help you understand which of our solutions may be suitable for you. Contact us at Tupelo Smiles to schedule your consultation with Dr. Richard Caron, Dr. John Kenney, or Dr. Emilie Caron Russell to learn more about whitening your teeth with cosmetic dentistry.