Porcelain veneers are a popular choice for those looking to improve their smile. They are custom-made to your specifications and, unlike dental crowns, they don't change color. Porcelain is more resistant to staining than tooth enamel, so you can be sure that your veneers will stay the same color for years to come. However, the teeth behind the veneers may cause them to look darker over time.
If you received veneers 20 years ago or more, they may not be made with the same porcelain used today. Older veneers may have been made with plastic materials or with more porous forms of porcelain, which can cause them to change color slowly. It is impossible to lighten porcelain veneers if there is a dark shade inside the porcelain, but if a stain was applied to the veneers to add color, an advanced cosmetic dentist could remove it. Since veneers are very thin layers of porcelain, any change in the underlying color of the tooth will be seen through.
If this happens, you may want to consider whitening the tooth from behind so that the color reflected through the veneer is whiter. Ask your dentist about whitening options that can be done in the office instead of trying an at-home option. Smoking, red wine, coffee, tea, and brightly colored sauces can cause stains to appear on the surface of your veneers. If you have veneers, it's important to understand how discoloration can occur and how to prevent it from happening.
Porcelain veneers don't respond well to most over-the-counter teeth whitening products. If your veneers fade for any reason, traditional whitening techniques won't work either. If the color of your veneers is a factor that cannot be cleaned, your dentist may recommend that they be replaced to renew the beauty and shine of your teeth and your smile. Dental veneers in South Edmonton can hide stubborn stains and discolorations while also changing the shape, width, length, and spacing of the mouth's most visible and prominent teeth.
The trauma suffered by the tooth under the veneer does not change the color of the veneer itself, but it can cause the dentin layer under that veneer (and the remaining enamel under the veneer) to gradually turn an increasingly dark yellow. Overall, porcelain veneers are a great way to improve your smile without worrying about discoloration over time. However, it's important to understand how discoloration can occur and how to prevent it from happening in order to keep your smile looking its best.
