Brighten what you have vs cover it

Whitening changes natural teeth only, while veneers cover a tooth with porcelain or composite and require enamel removal.

Whitening affects natural teeth. Tooth-coloured restorations, including crowns and implants, do not change colour with bleaching, so they can end up different from the natural teeth.

A porcelain veneer is a custom thin shell on the front of a tooth. A composite veneer is tooth-coloured filling material bonded to the tooth and may need less enamel removal and fewer visits.

Porcelain veneers are strong, long-lasting and tend to cost more. Composite veneers are easier to repair if damaged, but are less stain-resistant and wear-resistant.

A veneer can chip, crack, wear down, or loosen over time. It may then need to be re-bonded, repaired, or replaced.

Veneers should not be placed over untreated decay or gum disease because this may worsen existing problems. Clenching, grinding, or a deep overbite can also make veneers a poor choice.

Charcoal and table salt were abrasive and ineffective. Acid-containing fruits, vinegar, charcoal products, and oil pulling lack reliable evidence of safe, measurable whitening benefit.

Whitening works on natural teeth, whereas veneers are an irreversible covering treatment. The condition of the teeth and gums, existing restorations, and biting forces determine which concern each option can address.