American Dental Association

Cosmetic Care

Whiter, brighter smiles

There are several techniques dental professionals use to create a whiter, brighter smile, including bleaching, bonding and veneers.

Bleaching

	Discolored or stained teeth before
	After bleaching
	The bleaching solution is applied, activated with heat and/or light, and then rinsed off. This procedure may need to be repeated.
	An alternative: wearing a prescribed bleaching tray at home under a dentist's supervision.

Bonding

	Chipped tooth
	Chipped tooth after bonding
	Composite resin is applied and shaped to fill in the chipped area.
	A bonding light hardens the resin, which is then smoothed and polished.

Veneers

	To close spaces between teeth before veneers.
	After veneers.
	Before veneers.
	After veneers.
	Before veneers.
	After veneers.
	A thin layer of enamel is removed (shown), an impression is taken, and a veneer is fabricated to fit the tooth.
	After the tooth is etched with an acid solution, the veneer is bonded with the aid of a bonding light.

Dentist - Chicago, The Dental Practice of Lincoln Park , Chicago IL, 60614 (773) 935-9818