Will I Need New Porcelain Veneers If Mine Are Turning Dark?

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Will I need new porcelain veneers if mine are turning dark? I got the veneers in 2003. I realize that they are almost 20 years old. I compared pictures from last week with pictures from last year, and the difference is noticeable. Will I need new veneers, or can a dentist polish mine or do something else to make them look better? Thank you. Hanako

 

Hanako,

A skilled cosmetic dentist would need to examine your veneers to determine why they are turning dark, but we will provide some insight.

Do Porcelain Veneers Change Color?

Photo of the tip of dental forceps holding a single porcelain veneer; from the Baton Rouge office of accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher.

Porcelain veneer

Porcelain veneers only change color if they are damaged. Veneers are more stain resistant than natural teeth. However, discoloration in teeth behind the veneers can make them look darker.

  • Damaged porcelain veneers Power polishing equipment at a dental office can damage the glaze on porcelain veneers. As the roughened surface of damaged veneers attracts stains, you will notice that your teeth look darker. Also, acidulated fluoride etches the glaze on porcelain veneers and attracts stains.
  • Darkening natural teeth – If your natural teeth darken behind porcelain veneers, the color change can show through. If the seal between a porcelain veneer and tooth is compromised, bacteria can leak in and promote decay that darkens your natural tooth and shows through the veneer.

Will You Need New Porcelain Veneers If Yours Are Darkening?

If your porcelain veneers are turning dark, a skilled cosmetic dentist may be able to approve their appearance or you may need new ones. Schedule a consultation or an exam with an advanced cosmetic dentist to determine why your veneers are darkening. Treatment options may include:

  • Teeth bleaching to lighten your natural teeth
  • Diamond polishing your porcelain veneers to improve their appearance
  • Replacing the veneers your veneers if they are worn or damaged

 

Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher sponsors this post. Dr. Brooksher is accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

My Dentist Buffed the Gloss Off My Porcelain Veneers

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My cosmetic dentist said he could remove scratches on two of my porcelain veneers after I finished Invisalign with my orthodontist. Now both veneers look matte because the glossiness is gone. My dentist said he used cups and some polishing tools. Are my veneers going to stain now? Is there a way to reverse the damage? Thank you. Bethany from Erie, PA

Bethany,

Thank you for your question.

Congratulations on completing Invisalign treatment. We understand your disappointment in wanting to complete your smile makeover by ensuring your veneers look great. Although a dentist may claim to be a cosmetic dentist, practicing cosmetic dentistry well takes post-graduate training and artistic inclination. A trained cosmetic dentist understands how to polish veneers after specific training on how to do it.

Will Veneers with a Matte Finish Stain?

Photo of the tip of dental forceps holding a single porcelain veneer; from the Baton Rouge office of accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher.

Porcelain veneer

A matte finish makes porcelain more susceptible to stain. It takes experience to polish a porcelain veneer and achieve a luster almost as good as the original glaze. Although polishing veneers requires less skill than creating a smile design, a dentist must know the process and stock specialized tools and materials in the office.

Polishing porcelain requires a cosmetic dentist to use these items:

  • Diamond polishing instruments
  • Polishing paste
  • Ultra-fine diamond polishing paste for finishing

If you trust your dentist’s skill, you can tell him you want more shine on your veneers. Some cosmetic dentists use Brasseler’s Dialite porcelain polishing system to remove the matte finish and restore the gloss. Depending on the extent of the issue, the system may work for your veneers.

Alternatively, you can look for a cosmetic dentist with advanced training and get a second opinion. The dentist will examine your veneers and explain your options for restoring them to a natural-looking gloss that complements your natural teeth.

 

Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher sponsors this post. Read about his education and training, and learn what he does to provide some of the best dental care in Baton Rouge.

Why Don’t Dentists Warn Patients That Porcelain Veneers Fall Off?

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I got porcelain veneers in February this year. Two of them have fallen off, and one of the two just fell off again last week. So far, none of the others feel loose for now. I am nervous because I’m going to S. America in three weeks. I’m not sure how to find an excellent dentist to bond veneers back on, and I’m not sure it’s a good idea either. My dentist has an accusatory tone about why my veneers have fallen off. He says that it can happen if I’m rough with them. This is news to me. I wasn’t rough with my natural teeth before veneers. I floss and brush as usual.

I’m beginning to wonder what else my dentist didn’t tell me about what to expect with veneers. Is it legal for dentists to withhold vital information like this? My husband thinks my dentist must have done bad work, but this is the same dentist I’ve had for the past seven years. I know other people who have received veneers from him and aren’t having any issues. Interestingly, our dentist did not warn them about the possibility of their veneers falling off. Why wasn’t I warned? Is this common for dentists to keep to themselves? Thanks. Keilah from NH

Keilah – You didn’t receive a warning about porcelain veneers loosening and falling off because it should never happen.

Why Do Porcelain Veneers Fall Off?

Photo of the tip of dental forceps holding a single porcelain veneer; from the Baton Rouge office of accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher.

Quality porcelain veneers do not fall off

If you have had repeated issues with veneers falling off, it is most likely because of your dentist’s improper bonding techniques. The veneer that fell off a second time wasn’t properly cleaned before it was bonded on again.

Although Dr. Brooksher would need to examine your veneers to determine what is happening, we suggest getting a second opinion before your trip. Find a skilled cosmetic dentist to examine your veneers, check them for stability, and let you know your options to ensure they are secure.

If your veneers are constructed properly, a trained cosmetic dentist can correctly bond them to prevent them from falling off in the future. If any of your veneers are loose, a skilled cosmetic dentist can remove, clean, and bond them on again.

You can decide whether you trust your current dentist to make the corrections, but given his track record, we suggest that you consult with an experienced cosmetic dentist.

Dr. Steven Brooksher, a Baton Rouge dentist, sponsors this post.

Is my electric toothbrush damaging my porcelain veneers?

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Two of my porcelain veneers loosed three times within the past five months. My dentist rebounded them. But during my last visit, my dentist asked me what kind of toothbrush I use. I use an ultrasonic toothbrush and Supersmile toothpaste. My dentist blames my toothbrush on the loose veneers, but I know better. And if a toothbrush could cause loose veneers, I asked my dentist why he didn’t tell me that before I got veneers. Please tell me that I am right, and my toothbrush is not causing loose veneers. Thank you. Max from TX

Max,

Although ultrasonic cleaning devices in a dental office can damage dental bonding or veneers, an ultrasonic or sonic toothbrush will not harm them. Let us explain the difference.

Is Your Toothbrush Damaging Your Porcelain Veneers?

Your toothbrush is not damaging your porcelain veneers. And there is a difference between ultrasonic dental tools and your toothbrush.

Ultrasonic dental tools

Ultrasonic dental tools have metal tips that can damage bonding or veneers. The devices can crack the glaze on porcelain veneers. And professional ultrasonic speeds are much higher than your toothbrush.

Ultrasonic toothbrush

An ultrasonic toothbrush has soft bristles that will neither nick bonding or veneers. Instead, they polish your veneers and clean them. And toothbrushes are usually sonic—not ultrasonic—which means their vibration speed is slower and more gentle than dental equipment.

What Is Causing Loose Porcelain Veneers?

Photo of the tip of dental forceps holding a single porcelain veneer; from the Baton Rouge office of accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher.

Porcelain veneers do not loosen if a dentist bonds them properly

Loose porcelain veneers result from failure of your dentist’s bonding technique, aggressive preparation of your natural teeth, or both.

  • Aggressive tooth preparation – Often, a dentist who lacks advanced cosmetic dentistry training removes too much tooth enamel when preparing teeth for porcelain veneers. As a dentist removes more enamel, it becomes difficult for the bonding to adhere to your teeth. And if a dentist grinds your teeth down to the dentin (the layer beneath the enamel), it increases the risk of veneers falling off.
  • Bonding technique – Dentists who take advanced cosmetic dentistry training after dental school learn techniques to bond porcelain veneers securely to your teeth. And they know the importance of removing excess bonding material to avoid irritation and inflammation.

Get a Cosmetic Dentist’s Opinion

Although your dentist is blaming your toothbrush for loose porcelain veneers, that is not the problem. We recommend that you schedule a consultation with a skilled cosmetic dentist to examine your teeth and veneers to identify the issue. A cosmetic dentist will explain the treatment options to keep your veneers intact.

 

Dr. Steven Brooksher, an accredited cosmetic dentist in Baton Rouge, sponsors this post.

Can I Get Only One Porcelain Veneer Replaced?

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I received six porcelain veneers in May 2019. My dentist didn’t get the bonding quite right on one veneer, and I had a lot of sensitivity in the tooth. At first, he suggested that I use Sensodyne toothpaste, but it didn’t help much. I mentioned the sensitivity at my next dental cleaning appointment, so my dentist looked at the tooth and said that the veneer is not in its original position and the dentin is exposed. He suggested replacing the veneer (upper left center) and the right-center veneer next to it to ensure the veneers match. I’m disappointed because this dentin exposure business was my dentist’s fault. Why did the porcelain veneer move out of place? He offered to reduce the cost of replacing the two veneers, but I don’t think I should have a fee at all. And why can’t he just replace the one veneer anyway? I’m afraid that if he must remove the veneer on my right front tooth that it might become sensitive, too. Should I insist that he only replace one veneer? Thank you – Zachary from GA

 

Zachary,

You didn’t mention if your general or family dentist provided the veneers. But it seems that you saw a dentist with limited training in cosmetic dentistry who aggressively prepared your teeth.

Is It Possible to Replace One Porcelain Veneer?

Photo of the tip of dental forceps holding a single porcelain veneer; from the Baton Rouge office of accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher.

A skilled cosmetic dentist can replace a single porcelain veneer

Yes, it is possible to replace a single porcelain veneer. Any dentist with advanced cosmetic dentistry training can replace one veneer and perfectly match the color with your existing veneers. Dentists who are skilled in aesthetics use dental laboratories that keep color formulas for each patient’s case so they can perfectly match it in the future.

Dentin Exposed with Porcelain Veneers

When a dentist prepares your teeth for porcelain veneers, and the dentin is exposed, they over-prepared your teeth. When tooth preparation is necessary, skilled cosmetic dentists only remove a fraction of a millimeter of tooth enamel for several reasons:

  • Preserve as much tooth structure as possible
  • Provide better bonding—veneers adhere better to tooth enamel than dentin, which is softer.
  • Avoid exposing dentin because dentin tubules lead to the pulp and risk irritation and infection.

Insist on Replacing One Veneer?

If your dentist says he must replace veneers on both central incisors (center front teeth) to achieve a color match, he probably doesn’t know how to do otherwise. You can decide if you trust your dentist to do the work or want a second opinion. If you choose to get a second opinion on your porcelain veneers, look for a dentist with post-graduate training and experience in dental aesthetics.

You probably want to get the issue resolved quickly, so don’t delay—especially because dentin exposure is unhealthy for your teeth.

Steven Brooksher, DDS, an accredited cosmetic dentist in Baton Rouge, LA, sponsors this post.

Get details from a previous post on reasons that porcelain veneers might fall off.