Patients will often combine multiple treatments, such as porcelain veneers and teeth whitening, in order to achieve the desired esthetic results for their smiles. When multiple interventions are planned, special consideration must be given to the sequencing of these treatments. Porcelain veneers do not respond to teeth whitening treatments, so in order for your natural teeth to match your veneers, you should undergo whitening treatment prior to having the veneers placed.
Teeth whitening treatments can be managed at home or provided in our office, depending on your needs and preferences. With our at-home option, you will wear a custom tray filled with whitening gel for at least 30-60 minutes daily. You also have the option of wearing your whitening trays overnight. The duration of your treatment will depend on the level of discoloration of your teeth. It will take a little longer to see results from the at-home whitening process, but the end result is a brighter, more consistent white.
In-office teeth whitening treatments offer noticeable results in about an hour’s time – much more quickly than the at-home process. The bleaching agent is applied to the teeth (with a protective shield in place over the gums), and is then activated with a special light so that it takes effect rapidly. Patients who choose in-office treatment can also implement an at-home system to maintain their results over time, as teeth whitening may require periodic touch-ups.
After the teeth whitening process, Dr. Seal can then proceed with designing your veneers. First, a set of provisional veneers are placed to mimic the shape of the anticipated final restoration. These can be modified to make sure the ideal shape is attained before fabricating the final restorations. These final veneers are customized to your unique specifications, so their shade and shape can be adjusted before they are bonded to your teeth. However, once Dr. Seal has placed the veneers, he can no longer alter them in any way. Every effort will be made to ensure that you are pleased with your veneers before they are bonded to your teeth.
If you are considering teeth whitening and porcelain veneers to enhance the appearance of your smile, be sure to consult with Dr. Seal to set an appropriate timeline for treatment. Please contact our office at 214.361.0883 to schedule your consultation today.