I noticed my veneers were turning darker. I think they’re getting stained from all the coffee I drink. I bought some whitestrips to give them a little touch up, but I think I accidentally ruined them. They’re now even darker. What can I do to fix them? I’m embarassed to call my dentist because I am the one who messed them up. I’ve only had them for about a year.
Cynthia – Louisiana
Cynthia,
You didn’t make your veneers worse. What’smost likely happened is that your natural teeth are whiter now, making the porecelain veneers even worse than they had.
If you’ve only had your porcelain veneers for a year it’s unlikely your coffee is the problem, unless you have the absolute worst oral hygiene on the planet, which I doubt.
It is more likely if they’re picking up stains after this short a time then something damaged them. I’m guessing, based on what you said, that maybe you went for a dental cleaning and the hygienest used some kind of power polishing equipment, such as a prophy jet. I can’t be certain of course, but it is a possibility.
I would go back and ask your dentist what your hygienist used during your cleaning. If she did use power polishing equipment, which is an amateur move, they need to either replace your veneers or send you to (and pay for) an expert cosmetic dentist to have the glaze re-polished.
This blog is brought to you by Grosse Pointe Woods Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Theodore Hadgis.