Well, my porcelain veneers are stained. And they are only two years old. I am not finished paying for them yet. Should I stop payments until my dentist figures out what is going wrong? – Thank you. Monica from NJ
Monica,
Thank you for choosing our office to ask your question.
Porcelain veneers are stain resistant. Although Dr. Szarek would need to examine your veneers and teeth, we can discuss several factors that can cause stains as an exception.
What Causes Porcelain Veneers to Stain?
Porcelain veneers might stain if the surface is damaged or a gap exists between your veneer and your tooth. We will discuss why either might occur.
Porcelain veneer surface damage
When a dental hygienist cleans your teeth and mistakenly uses power polishing equipment on your veneers, the glaze can crack. Your veneers would be at risk for attracting stains. Or, if someone in the dental office uses acidulated fluoride on your veneers, tiny scratches will form. And your veneers can stain.
Gap between the veneer and the tooth
Porcelain veneers are stain resistant unless they are damaged or placed incorrectly
If you notice stains on the sides of your teeth, a dentist might have left a tiny gap where the porcelain and your teeth meet. The gap can allow bacteria in, and your teeth or veneers can stain. Your dentist will need to check for areas of bonding composite near those gaps and polish them to smooth them away. Ultra-fine polishing strips and ultra-fine or fine aluminum oxide polishing paste will help your dentist smooth the area.
Schedule an Appointment with a Cosmetic Dentist
Any accumulated stain on porcelain veneers is usually minor. So if you notice stains, schedule an appointment right away. If the glaze on your veneers is damaged or a gap exists between the veneers and your teeth, a cosmetic dentist can correct it. But it is essential to see a dentist soon to prevent it from getting worse.
Michael Szarek, DMD, an accredited cosmetic dentist in Lowell, MA, sponsors this post.