Can You Whiten Veneers?

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If you’re looking for a way to enhance your smile, then look no further than veneers. It’s a very popular type of cosmetic dentistry procedure that can address a lot of issues:

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• Severe tooth staining and discoloration
• Gaps between teeth
• Irregularly sized teeth
• Minor cracks and chips, etc.

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A common question many people have about veneers is whether they can be whitened later on.

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The short answer is no, but that doesn’t mean you can’t improve the look of your veneers if they’ve been subsequently stained. Keep reading to find out how to improve the look of your veneers!

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Why You Can’t Whiten Veneers

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Veneers are made from porcelain, a material that does not respond to whitening agents the same way as natural teeth do.

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As a result, even if you do apply such solutions over your veneers, the prosthetics themselves will not change their color. However, it's advised not to try to test this theory.

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Unfortunately, your natural teeth will. Since veneers only cover the front surface of your natural teeth, there’s a big chance of getting an uneven smile if you try to whiten them.

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Can Veneers Stain?

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Porcelain is a stain-resistant material, but over time it can become more susceptible to staining. If you’ve gotten your veneers years ago, it is possible for their color to have slightly changed.

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There are a few things you can do to reduce the risk of staining your veneers, such as:

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• Brushing your teeth after every meal
• Drinking staining beverages like coffee or tea through a straw
• Avoiding highly-staining foods such as tomato sauces, citruses, blueberries, etc.

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Can You Change the Color of Your Veneers?

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Before getting veneers, your cosmetic dentist will ask you if you also want to get your natural teeth whitened. After that, the custom-made veneers can match your new lighter shade, completely removing the need to try and change your smile later on.

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But let’s say you didn’t whiten your teeth before getting veneers. In this case, you have 2 options:

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1. Get a Professional Dental Cleaning

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A professional dental cleaning can help remove some stubborn stains that won’t go away with your regular brushing. A lot of the time your smile can appear as if it’s been whitened simply because the professional cleaning removed such stains.

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2. Change Your Veneers

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If a professional cleaning won’t work, then your other option is to simply change your veneers and have them made in a whiter shade.

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Interested in Veneers? We Can Help!

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If you’re wondering whether veneers are right for you, or are looking to replace your old ones our Mount Pleasant cosmetic dentist in happy to help! 

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Book an appointment at Advanced Dentistry of Mount Pleasant online and stop by for a visit!

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Have more questions about veneers or our services? Then feel free to call us at (843) 936-1690 for a short chat.

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