If you have visible aesthetic defects on your teeth, you may be considering hiding these defects with porcelain veneers. Still, you may wonder if this treatment is worth the investment. Can veneers discolor and stain over time like natural teeth, or do they retain their original beauty for as long as you hoped? You can find the answer to this question in this article.
Porcelain Does Not Repel Stains
Because enamel is porous, natural teeth get stained over time. It allows small particles, including pigments from food, beverages and tobacco, to sneak into it and cause discoloration. Although porcelain looks like natural tooth enamel, it does not share its porous nature. In fact, porcelain is completely non-porous, just like glass. The pigments simply glide from it.
Therefore, once you and your dentist choose the color of your veneers and they are custom made to your specifications, porcelain will never change color. This is one of the reasons why most cosmetic dentists recommend veneers rather than bonding to patients looking to renew their smile. Teeth bonding material can become stained with continued exposure to things like red wine and coffee.
So… Veneers Will Always Look Brand New?
While the porcelain used to make your veneers will retain its original shine indefinitely, this does not mean that the results of your treatment will always look brand new. There are several factors that can cause your overlays to appear darker than they are:
.The veneers are adhered on the teeth. In some cases, the cement used in the bonding process may become stained, causing the veneers to appear darker. If this happens, your cosmetic dentist may need to remove the veneers and reattach them with new cement.
.Micro scratches may occur on porcelain. These small scratches can trap particles and cause discoloration of coatings. The best way to prevent this is to use a non-abrasive toothpaste and always be gentle when brushing your teeth. Do not try to whiten your veneers with a whitening toothpaste; These types of toothpastes tend to be more abrasive than regular ones and can cause even more scratches on veneers.
.Very old veneers may not be made from the same high quality materials used today. They can start to look dull with age. In such a case, you should talk to your cosmetic dentist about replacing veneers.
If you take care of your porcelain veneers, you can expect them to preserve their original beauty for many years.
