Hi,
I’ve always hated my smile. I’ve had brown stains on my upper teeth since childhood. My dentist suggested getting five or six porcelain veneers to brighten my smile. Should I go ahead and get the porcelain veneers, or do I have another option?
Ellis, from Virginia
Hi Ellis,
The brown stains you are describing sound like tetracycline stains, caused by taking a powerful antibiotic as a child. Removing the stains are very difficult, but a skilled cosmetic dentist can properly cover them. Using porcelain that is too thin can cause the stains to show through. Similarly, using porcelain that is too opaque can make your veneers look fake. Porcelain is more stain resistant than your natural enamel, so you won’t need to worry about stains in the future.
Before committing to a dentist, be sure to check if they have experience treating tetracycline stains. An expert cosmetic dentist will be able mimic your teeth’s natural translucence, while covering the surface stains. Your dentist will have to wrap the veneers around the sides of the tooth as well, in order to obtain the most natural look; otherwise, the space between the veneers will be dark and noticeable.
Also, you may need more than five or six porcelain veneers on your upper teeth. Count how many of your upper teeth are visible when you smile – that is the number of veneers you will need for your smile makeover. Doing some teeth but not all will not fix your smile insecurities. In your case, finding an experienced cosmetic dentist will be critical to your case’s success.
This blog is brought to you by Baton Rouge porcelain veneer provider, Dr. Steven Brooksher. Please note that cosmetic dentists are general dentists who have received post-graduate training in aesthetics and restorations.
