Do Porcelain Veneers Stain?
Whether you’re loving your new veneers or thinking about committing, you might be wondering whether or not veneers can get stained.
The simple answer is no; veneers don’t stain or discolor.
Don’t believe us?
Read on to learn:
- The reason why porcelain veneers don’t stain
- What to do if you notice discolored veneers (spoiler: this isn’t normal)
- How to care for your teeth if you have veneers
Why don’t veneers stain? What’s so special about them?
Think back – you’ve probably had times when you drank wine or ate berries only to catch a glimpse of your now-stained teeth in the mirror. Yikes!
Natural teeth are porous, so they absorb the colors of some foods and drinks. For example, coffee, red wine, dark soda, cherries, and tomato sauce are well-known stain-causers.
On the other hand, porcelain veneers are made of a durable and nonporous material: porcelain (of course). Porcelain is extremley stain-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about your veneers turning yellow or gray.
Even if you were to feast on Italian food with wine and spaghetti, your porcelain veneers would remain bright and white.
Sure, you may have food on your teeth temporarily, but your veneers won’t permanently absorb any of the colors.
What should you do if your veneers appear stained?
Now, if you’re noticing any staining and you have veneers, then there may be another issue at hand. Let’s explore this by asking a few questions to find the reason.
Turns out:
If you see discoloration, it’s most likely due to another issue…
Question #1: What are your veneers made of – composite or porcelain?
Are they porcelain or composite? While porcelain veneers and composite veneers accomplish the same goal of transforming the appearance of teeth, they do differ.
Composite veneers are made of resin which is less durable and more porous than porcelain veneers.
As you might guess, composite veneers wear more easily and can stain like your natural teeth!
Question #2: Where do you see the stains?
If they seem to be around the edges of your veneers, then the issue may be the way they’re bonded to your teeth.
In this case, there may have been some micro-leakage during adhesion where extra particles attached to the area, creating a discolored appearance.
It’s an easy fix; your cosmetic dentist can re-bond the veneers to remove the stains.
Question #3: Is the staining only around the gums?
If yes, receding gums may be the culprit, especially as you age. Let’s dive deeper into this…
If your gums have receded since getting your veneers placed years ago, then your natural teeth may be exposed – and those are prone to staining. This can be fixed, thankfully.
Solutions for stains revealed by receiving gums include whitening the exposed tooth or having your veneers refitted or replaced. A properly-sized veneer can instantly fix this issue if necessary.
Question #4: Are you experiencing tooth discoloration after an accident?
A tooth injury can damage the inner tissue and cause tooth discoloration, which may make your veneer appear a different color.
If you haven’t already gotten a checkup post-injury, then it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with your dentist. They’ll address the underlying issue with your natural tooth and help restore your veneer shade to that beautiful white you love.
As you can see, most changes in veneer color aren’t actually due to the veneer itself. What looks like a stain on your porcelain veneers is usually something else entirely!
Naturally, seeing any type of discoloration in the mouth can be worrying… That’s because everybody wants to keep their smile as healthy, beautiful, and white as possible for as long as possible.
We have a few tips to help you care for your porcelain veneers. They’re not intended to keep them white (the porcelain material does that for you!), but they will help keep your natural teeth healthy (and indistinguishable from your veneers) for years to come.
How to care for teeth with veneers:
- Maintain good hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly
- Choose a non-abrasive brush and toothpaste (ADA-approved, of course!)
- Visit your dentist for regular cleanings and checkups
- Live a healthy lifestyle and don’t smoke
Notice anything missing on the list? Maybe whitening treatments?
You may be wondering… do you ever need to whiten veneers?
The answer is no, and never!
Whitening strips and whitening toothpaste won’t work on veneers. Remember, porcelain is non-porous, so any teeth-bleaching chemicals you use won’t absorb into or affect your veneer color.
Discoloration on or around your veneers is best solved by a dentist. If you’re considering getting new veneers or worried about the appearance of your existing ones, turn to an experienced cosmetic dentist who works with the best materials to ensure high-quality and long-lasting results.
See real before and after results here or schedule a visit today.
Or:
- Call us at: 973-942-6467
- Email us at: info@davidjmartindds.com
Our office is conveniently located in Totowa, NJ…Click to open a new window to Google Maps…, and happily welcomes patients from the neighboring communities of Wayne, Montclair, Little Falls, and Woodland Park, NJ.
