Why Are My Veneers Staining?
Updated June 11, 2021
Not having a bright white smile can cause people to feel less outgoing and smile less, and these cues are picked up on by others. A poor smile with stained teeth is often a source of embarrassment and can cause people to enjoy life less than they could or should. Sometimes teeth whitening is the answer, or these problems can be overcome using veneers, which you may already be familiar with or even have. Change is an excellent solution to give you the bright white smile you deserve and requires modest maintenance like what you do for your natural teeth. Veneers can stain or appear to have been stained, which can be a source of distress. Fortunately, these problems can all be fixed at your dentist’s office.
What are veneers?
A veneer is a thin coating or layer of porcelain or resin that is placed on top of a natural tooth to give a bright white appearance. They are used to cover up badly strained, cracked, or chipped teeth. Veneers are a painless, low-maintenance way to obtain an attractive white smile.
Why do veneers stain?
Strictly speaking, porcelain veneers, in particular, do not stain because porcelain is impervious to stains. However, edges of the veneer where it meets the tooth can stain, often with unsightly brown lines. Though the main surface of veneers does not stain as teeth can, scratches can develop that can hold debris leading to an off-color appearance. Whitening toothpaste will not whiten your veneers but can lead to fine scratches. Though it can be temporary, veneers stain more easily when this happens. Your Houston, TX dentist can polish your veneers to correct this.
Bonding issues
Veneers are bonded or cemented onto your teeth depending on the type, and when bonded there is the possibility of micro-leakage of the bonding material which can attract particles leading to a stained appearance. If this is the case, the veneers can be re-bonded if necessary, and the problem should go away.
Very old veneers
If your veneers are very old, as in decades old, it is possible they were made with a material that is less stain-resistant than what is used today. In this case, your best course of action is to replace your old veneers with modern ones that will not be anywhere near as susceptible to staining. Modern materials used for veneers are exceptionally strong and highly resistant to change in appearance over time.
Contact Ingenious Dentistry in Houston, TX
If you are in need of teeth whitening or have a problem with your veneers including staining, contact Ingenious Dentistry today for prompt and courteous assistance. Call (713) 795-5905 to schedule an appointment or visit our dental office in Houston, TX.
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Image Credit: Getty Images / MBZ – Photodesign
