When a dentist applies veneers, they are protected by a glass like and stain resistant glaze. Sometimes this glaze can get damaged and the veneers become exposed to staining. This is why some people notice a significant decline in the condition of their veneers. Though it is impossible for whitening gels to whiten veneers, there are tips and tricks to prevent veneers from darkening.
The thin brown line
The next time you visit your friendly hygienist, ask them to specifically target your veneers if they are looking a bit dark. If you notice a thin brown line around your veneers, you may just be experiencing receding gumline which is a natural part of aging. As the gumline recedes, the top of the veneer is exposed and can therefore trap darker food and drinks like wine, but don’t worry! This can be cured with a quick trip to the dentist, where they will polish the veneer and get rid of this thin brown line.
Old model veneers
If you notice your veneers darkening and they are over twenty years old, it might be time for an update. The older style veneers are made of more porous material and are not as shiny and stain resistant as the newer, porcelain made veneers. Think of your mouth as a racecar. Sometimes you have to pull into the pit stop for a fresh pair of tires.
Damaged dentin
If you were hit hard in the teeth, and find that your teeth are prone to darkening, you may have damaged dentin. Dentin is the tissue inside teeth, and when it’s damaged, it can age faster than undamaged dentin. If this happens to a tooth with a veneer, it may be possible to whiten the tooth by applying gel to the back of the tooth. This can lighten the inner dentin and therefore lighten the color reflecting through your veneer, causing the tooth to look whiter.
So if you start to notice that your veneers aren’t looking as bright and shiny as they once did, fear not! There are options out there that will help you get that glowing smile back. Talk to your dentist about your options. Most of the time, a routine polishing is all you need to curb the staining and darkening of your veneers. With a whiter smile, you’ll feel more confident as you take on the world. Because as they say, when you smile, the world smiles back!
