In recent times, there has been a great surge of people getting the best smile with a grand show of colourless sparkling white teeth. Most people who are in this category have all gone for a smile makeover but however indecisive between the most popular smiles makeover treatments, teeth whitening and dental veneers. Both treatments have been contending favourably with both having their pros and cons.

So which one is the best? The dental Veneer or teeth whitening, the best way to know is by analysing the two makeover treatments.

The teeth whitening is a makeover performed by cosmetic dentistry, treatment through the application of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide which are essentially teeth bleaching agents. The treatment is basically to remove stains and total tooth discolouration.

Teeth whitening is also a do yourself possible treatment in which you can apply over-the-counter whitening options which have the lowest concentration of peroxide even though the whitening strength is limited and cannot be compared to when done by a cosmetic dentist.

However, despite the superfluous effect of teeth whitening with its fast and immediate results, it is not a permanent solution to a total discolouration of the teeth. In addition, a careful diet is required to maintain the teeth whitened.

On the other end, Dental veneers involve the fixing of tooth coloured shells of porcelain on the top of the facial surface of the teeth in order to correct the worn tooth enamel, make even alignments and spaces, discolouration and also correct chips and cracks. Dental veneer has more vast use than teeth whitening as the teeth whitener only tend to correct the discolouration of the teeth.

More so, the effect of dental veneers on the teeth is permanent as it requires the permanent shaping of teeth.

The veneer can also be designed in many colours such as gold, and whatever type of colour wanted. The dentist generally uses the external laboratory for veneer fabrication and design while some use the CAD/CAM technology to fabricate onsite in a single visit.

Fixing Dental veneers is sometimes painful as during the actual procedure a local anaesthetic is administered to minimize discomfort.  In addition, a careful diet by avoiding hard foods is also required after fixing a veneer (just like teeth whitening).

Moreover, in comparing the two you have to know what you truly want. If it is for a correction of a discolouration only, the dental veneer wouldn’t be the best option as most dentists will advise against it due to its invasive characteristics as it requires the permanent alteration of your natural teeth. The teeth whitener is the best option for teeth discolouration as it is minimally invasive.

Comparing the cost of dental veneers and the teeth whitening option, it is obvious that dental veneers cost a lot more than teeth whitening.

A teeth whitening being a cheaper option, will only last depending on how you maintain your teeth and diet.  Generally, it will only last less than a year. The dental veneers are expensive but offer a greater benefit of correcting other severe smile defects like cracks, chips and gaps.

Whenever you are going for a smile makeover, try to weigh your financial and dental options before choosing or better still, see your dentist, to determine whether the teeth whitening or veneer option is right for you.