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Why are my veneers yellowing and looking black at the top?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I am so depressed about my teeth right now. I have a class reunion coming up and I don’t even want to go because my teeth look so bad. When I was 16 I had two veneers placed on my front teeth and now, 16 years later they are yellow… and, to make matters even worse, they look black at the top. What is causing them to look this way and can anything be done to fix them?  — Leisha in Nebraska

Leisha,
There’s no reason why porcelain veneers shouldn’t last 16 years if you are taking good care of them. And they definitely shouldn’t be turning yellow, unless for some reason you had them cleaned with a power polishing spray such as the Prophy Jet. This type of cleaning can cause porcelain veneers to lose their glaze and start to yellow. If, however, your veneers are composite, they can discolor quite easily and quickly – especially if you are eating or drinking foods and beverages that can stain or if you smoke.

If you are noticing black at the gumline, that is a whole other issue and could be a sign of leakage from the bond failing. If a dentist isn’t skilled or simply is careless during the bonding procedure, fluid can seep up from the gums and contaminate the bond. Over time, this contamination will cause the veneer to blacken near the gumline. If this is happening, the veneers absolutely need to be replaced because the leakage will lead to decay underneath them. If the decay continues to spread, it can cause even more damage. So, replace the veneers, not only to get the smile you love back, but to ensure the future health of your teeth.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Do porcelain veneers yellow?

Posted on by smiles4u.

Over the years, my teeth yellowed and I became very self-conscious about it. I saved up and recently had porcelain veneers put on, but realize that I never asked my dentist if my veneers will eventually start to discolor or yellow. I’ve spent way too much money to end up with ugly, yellow teeth again in a few years. Will my veneers yellow?
— Vicki

Vicki,
This is a great question and one that is asked quite often. Your porcelain veneers will not yellow, but that is not to say that veneers can’t take on a discolored appearance if the natural tooth they are bonded to picks up stains. If your teeth are susceptible to stains from coffee, dark sodas, berries, etc, your best bet is to avoid those things. And you should also avoid smoking, too.

Also, get rid of any whitening toothpastes you may have used in the past. While you want to keep your teeth white, these toothpastes are highly abrasive and can actually damage your veneers by breaking down the glaze that is designed to keep them white.

If you do consume any foods or drinks that stain your teeth, a good practice is to rinse your mouth immediately after eating or drinking. This will help assure you have that bright, beautiful smile for many years to come.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.