Luckily, patients with stained teeth - even those that are severely discolored - can be treated successfully. Cosmetic dentistry affords these patients the opportunity to have the beautiful, natural smiles they desire with minimum of time, discomfort and cost.

Treatment of stained teeth depends on both the cause and the degree of discoloration. Each treatment alternative has advantages. There are five ways to treat stained teeth.

• Polishing                                                               The simplest method of stain removal, eliminates many food stains, the majority of which can be attributed to coffee or tea. However, excessive staining from beverages or tobacco products may require more aggressive treatment.

• Bleaching                                                                 It utilizes a strong oxidizing agent to lighten the teeth, is a relatively conservative and often highly effective way to brighten the smile. Bleaching is frequently used on mild-to-moderate tetracyclinic and fluoride stains, as well as on those stains that result from damage to the tooth. Your dentist may recommend either in-office or home bleaching or a combination of both, depending on the nature and the severity of the discoloration.

• Bonding                                                           Involves the application of a plastic material to the existing tooth. The composite resin bonding technique is used frequently to cover stains in a conservative and esthetically pleasing manner. This process can be particularly effective in masking tetracycline stains, white or brown spots, stains due to excessive wear and in lightening teeth that have become discolored by amalgam, the blend of metals found in silver fillings.

• Laminating                                                              It is an extension for bonding technique. It consists of applying a thin veneer of pre-formed porcelain, composite resin or plastic to the teeth in much the same way as an artificial fingernail is affixed to a natural nail. In the case of porcelain, both the enamel and the inside of the porcelain veneer are etched to increase adhesion. Composite resin and plastic laminates are chemically sealed to the teeth.

• Crowning                                                                 It is a longer lasting, although less conservative, treatment alternative that requires reducing the tooth and covering the remainder with a custom - made restoration. Although it is always preferable to preserve the structure of the natural tooth, it isn't always feasible. Foe example, in cases where tetracycline stains are extremely dark or where amalgam stains have caused severe discoloration, crowning may be the only acceptable treatment alternative. Despite the drawbacks, crowns can finely sculptured works of art that serve both to improve tooth shape and function while enhancing your smile.