If you're looking to change the color of your porcelain veneers, you're out of luck. Whitening strips and gels are only effective on natural teeth, and bleaching won't work on composite resin. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends talking to your dentist before attempting any whitening treatments at home. The short answer to the question “can you whiten veneers?” is no, but there are ways to keep your smile looking white, bright and beautiful for longer.
Your cosmetic dentist can tell you if the glazing has been removed from your veneers. In the meantime, I suggest using Supersmile toothpaste. It does the best job of removing stains from any of the toothpastes on the market, and it's the only insurance for both teeth and cosmetic work. Most “whitening” toothpastes use abrasives that can damage enamel.
Porcelain veneers can also get stained on the sides as they age. You can't whiten them with bleach like natural teeth, but you can try to make the teeth under the veneers whiter or ask a cosmetic dentist to do it for you. There are three methods used to whiten teeth or remove stains: a teeth whitening system, a soft polishing toothpaste, and an aesthetic dentist. When using a teeth whitening system, always follow the instructions completely and talk to your dentist before trying it at home.
You can also try brushing your teeth with a toothpaste specifically designed to remove the compound that causes stained veneers. A toothpaste with a gentle polish is recommended if you have small stains around the edges of the veneers. Visiting a cosmetic dentist is another option for whitening veneers. The porcelain enamel may have come off your veneers, and a cosmetic dentist can professionally clean them to make them look white again.
If necessary, they may need to be replaced. When you try to whiten the back of veneered teeth, the actual tooth will naturally whiten, which will then be reflected through the porcelain veneer.
