Veneers are made from dental ceramics, a material that does not respond to bleaching or whitening.
Porcelain veneers such as tooth-colored fillings, crowns and tooth bonding cannot be whitened with teeth whitening treatment. In addition, our team does not even recommend the use of whitening toothpastes on porcelain veneers. These formulas contain harsh and abrasive ingredients that can actually scratch porcelain surfaces.
What’s the Difference Between Veneers and Teeth Whitening for Brighter Smiles?
While both of these two treatments are cosmetic in nature, their working methods are quite different. Teeth whitening involves whitening the surfaces of natural teeth to break up stains and remove discoloration. Porcelain veneers are specially prepared restorations that cover the front surfaces of teeth to hide discoloration and other cosmetic defects.
The type of treatment required depends on several factors, such as the type and severity of the discoloration, as well as your own personal preferences. Teeth whitening is an excellent choice for external stains that are superficial and often develop over time from the consumption of dark-colored foods and beverages.
However, if you have deep-seated intrinsic stains that cannot be treated with bleaching, porcelain veneers may be more suitable for you. Often these two procedures are combined into one comprehensive treatment plan.
Which Treatment Should Be Completed First?
If you are planning to have both teeth whitening and porcelain veneers, you may want to know which procedure you should have first.
Since porcelain veneers are not whitened, it is best to whiten natural teeth in the desired tone first. Then your new porcelain veneers become compatible with your smile and a flawless result is obtained.
However, our natural teeth tend to get stained over time. Many patients want to know if they can eventually whiten after their veneers are in place. It does not harm your teeth whitening coatings made in the clinic. However, in some cases, whitening can significantly differentiate teeth in color. A condition known as “monochrome teeth”. For this reason, we do not encourage patients to whiten after restorations have been placed. If you want to whiten your smile, it is best to consider changing veneers along with whitening.
Tips to Keep Your Smile Alive
With proper care, you can keep your smile bright in the long run. Things to consider to protect your porcelain veneers:
.Consume dark-colored foods and beverages in moderation.
.Use a straw when drinking tea, soda,juice and other dark drinks.
.Avoid tobacco products
.Brush and floss your teeth with care.
.Visit your dentist
