Stains Around My Porcelain Veneers

I’ve had porcelain veneers for about one year. I really like them, but recently they have started picking up stains. Not on the fronts, but on the edges. I was told that these would be pretty stain resistant. I do smoke, but I wouldn’t think that smoking would be enough to make it pick up stains. I’m almost done paying for these and want to make sure they are going to last. I’ve paid a ton of money.

Luke

Dear Luke,

A porcelain veneer being held on to a tooth

You are correct that porcelain veneers are very stain resistant. Even more stain resistant than your natural teeth. This is because of the protective glaze that is on your veneers. As long as that glaze is intact, the front of your veneers will be fine.

If the stains were on the surface of the tooth, then it would likely be because your hygienist used a power prophy jet or something like it. This will completely damage the glaze and your teeth will no longer be stain resistant.

You said your stains are just on the edges. There are two possibilities when that happens. One could be that there is a gap between your veneers and your teeth which is letting bacteria or food get between them. That will show.

A second issue is more a matter of there being some of the bonding that is on the edge of your teeth. This would periodically need to be polished up again to remove the stains. I would consider it a regular and necessary part of maintenance. It’s not expensive and it doesn’t take long.

Talk to your dentist. There is a possibility that he doesn’t know how to do this. If he doesn’t, you are better off going to a different dentist who understands the procedure.

This blog is brought to you by a gentle dentist in Moline, Dr. Thomas Goebel.
Click here to learn about metal free dental care.