Can You Whiten Veneers?

Veneers in Redondo Beach can offer incredible results and completely change your smile’s appearance. On average, they can last as long as 10–15 years or even longer with the right maintenance.

But what happens if they stain or get discolored? Can you whiten veneers to refresh your look?

Let’s discuss:

What Are Veneers?

Veneers are thin shells made from porcelain that cover your teeth to change their appearance. Quality veneers are custom-made for individual teeth, providing a natural-looking result.

Moreover, this approach is also great if you only want to fix minor cosmetic issues, like a gap between your two front teeth. You’ll only need two veneers to completely change your smile.

Do Veneers Stain?

That depends on what they’re made of. Porcelain veneers are stain-resistant, but more affordable ones made from composite are known to be susceptible to staining.

Moreover, older veneers, even if made from porcelain, lose their shine and create other aesthetic issues.

Can You Whiten Veneers?

Well, the short answer is no. Whitening treatments don’t affect the color of veneers, nor can they remove stains.

Whitening treatments use bleaching agents like peroxide to break down stain molecules on the surface of your teeth and lift a few shades. But they don’t cause the same reaction when applied to porcelain, composite, or other materials used in dental prosthetics.

Why You Shouldn’t Try to Whiten Your Veneers

Whitening your veneers can create an uneven smile. For example, if you only have a few veneers on your front teeth, your natural teeth will whiten, but the veneers will remain the same.

This means your teeth may now have different shades, leading to more visible cosmetic issues.

What to Do If Your Veneers Are Stained or Discolored

Since veneers can’t be whitened, your best solution is to simply upgrade to a new set. If you also want to brighten your other natural teeth, then you will need to go through dental whitening first.

Once you reach the shade you want, you can have the veneers made in a matching color. This is the best approach to ensuring you get great smile results.

How to Care for Veneers

Luckily, taking care of veneers only takes:

• Daily brushing and flossing
• Wearing a mouthguard in cases of tooth grinding
• Avoiding hard foods or chewing on hard objects
• Drinking stained beverages like coffee through a straw
• Rinsing the mouth after every meal with water (but preferably brushing your teeth)
• Seeing a dentist routinely for professional cleanings and check-ups.

Getting Veneers in Redondo Beach

Are you interested in veneers or have an old set that needs replacing? Meet with Dr. Anthony Nguyen to get a picture-perfect smile through quality porcelain veneers!

To get started, schedule an appointment at ARTSCI Dental online.

Have more questions about veneers or our other cosmetic services? Then feel free to call us at (424) 400-5288 for a short chat!