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Is It Possible To Whiten Porcelain Veneers?

DECEMBER 20, 2020

Porcelain veneers are one of the longest-lasting and most natural-looking cosmetic dentistry treatments. With proper care, they can provide you with many years of beautiful smiles. However, if you have already had veneers for some time, you might have noticed that their color is not quite what it used to be. Is it possible to whiten porcelain veneers in Manchester? In this blog post, we will discuss why they might become discolored and what your dentist may be able to do to improve their appearance.

Why Do Veneers Become Discolored?

Porcelain veneers are nonporous, which means they do not absorb pigments like regular tooth enamel or even composite dental restorations. Therefore, they are highly resistant to stains. However, the dental cement that secures them on the teeth can become discolored over time, especially if there is micro-leakage that allows bacteria and pigments to slip beneath the veneers. Eating a lot of staining foods and beverages and using tobacco can both accelerate the discoloration caused by micro-leakage.

Another possible reason for discoloration is tiny scratches on the veneers’ surfaces. Bacteria and food particles can accumulate in the scratches, causing the veneers to take on a dull appearance.

What You Should Not Do

You might be tempted to try to whiten your veneers by yourself with over the counter bleaching products. However, that is inadvisable at best. Veneers do not respond to whitening agents like normal enamel. You might end up whitening your natural teeth while your veneers continue to look the same, resulting in a mismatched smile.

At worst, DIY whitening attempts could damage your veneers or harm your oral health. For example, using an abrasive whitening toothpaste could cause scratches, ultimately worsening the overall aesthetics of your smile. Whitening strips or bleaching trays may irritate your gums or cause increased tooth sensitivity.

What You Can Do

If you are concerned because your porcelain veneers in Manchester have lost some of their original beauty, schedule an appointment with your dentist. If micro-leakage is to blame for the discoloration, your dentist may be able to remove your veneers, clean them, and reattach them with fresh cement.

On the other hand, if the discoloration is caused by scratches, it is unlikely that your dentist will be able to repair them. They may recommend that you get a new set of veneers, and they can provide you with personalized tips on how to prevent future scratches.

Most patients find that their veneers continue to look gorgeous for a decade or longer. However, if you do find that they begin to look a little dull, your dentist is ready to help your smile shine bright once again.

Meet the Practice

First Line Dental features a talented team of dentists and specialists, all of whom want our patients to love their smiles. Whether you are thinking about getting porcelain veneers or are concerned about discoloration on your current ones, we are ready to put our expertise to work for you. We invite you to contact us at 860-736-3405.

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