How did you feel when you first received your veneers? You may have loved their beautiful, natural appearance — and rightly so! As time has gone on, however, you might have noticed that they are not as attractive as they once were; they may have become discolored. In this blog post, we will briefly discuss what causes the discoloration, why you should not try to whiten veneers in Torrington on your own, and how you can help your smile to look as good as possible for as long as possible.
Why Do Veneers Become Discolored?
Most veneers in Torrington are made out of porcelain, which is a nonporous material that is highly resistant to stains. Despite that, there are a few things that can cause veneers to look discolored:
- Scratches. Small scratches in the porcelain can trap food debris and pigments, affecting the overall appearance of the veneers.
- Discolored cement. The cement that binds veneers to teeth may begin to look yellow over time, especially in individuals who smoke or who consume a lot of staining foods and beverages.
Improving the Appearance of Your Veneers
It can be tempting to purchase some over the counter whitening products and use them on your veneers. However, doing so is unwise for a couple of reasons:
- The porcelain will not respond to the whitening agents. It is also unlikely that the cement will be affected.
- The teeth next to the veneers may become whiter, causing them to be a different color from your veneers. You could end up with a “multi-colored” smile.
Instead of looking for a DIY solution, talk to your dentist about your concerns. They might be able to buff out the scratches and polish your veneers to make them look like new again. If the cement is stained, you might need to have the veneers removed and get them placed on your teeth again with fresh bonding agent. In some cases, it might be necessary to purchase an entirely new set of veneers.
Maintaining Your Veneers’ Beauty
Once your veneers are back in good shape, there are some steps you can take to prevent future discoloration:
- Avoid the use of abrasive toothpastes (such as those designed for smokers) as well as toothbrushes with hard bristles.
- Do not smoke, and consume staining foods and beverages (including coffee and red wine) in moderation.
- Avoid biting down on anything that might damage the veneers, such as ice or hard candies.
- Visit your cosmetic dentist for regular checkups.
Veneers are designed to stand the test of time. Your diligence in taking care of them may enable them to provide you with many years of stunning smiles.
Meet the Practice
Drs. Sharon Iype and Virginia Gracierstein are the general and cosmetic dentists at Torrington Dental Care. Veneers are among the many services they offer. If you have questions about how you can change the look of your smile or how you can improve the appearance of your current veneers, they would be pleased to help you. Contact our practice at 860-969-2423