Porcelain veneers will stain, but resin coated porcelain takes longer than other materials will to develop staining. That’s one of the many factors that make porcelain veneers a great cosmetic dentistry solution. For patients who enjoy a morning cup of coffee or a glass of red wine with dinner, veneers offer a stain-resistant cosmetic solution to dental discoloration. With proper care, your porcelain veneers will stay pearly white for as long as ten years, and by then, it will be time for the recommend repair or replacement of your veneer.
What are Veneers Made of?
Veneers are made from a high quality, dental grade porcelain. This quality porcelain is crafted to precise specifications by a team of dental lab technicians before being placed in our office. The strong porcelain is also coated in a clear resin. This resin coating is what prevents veneers from staining. It fills in the porous surfaces of the porcelain and keeps your smile looking sparkling bright. The stain resistant resin does wear away over time, and you will begin to see some gradual staining to your veneers just like with natural teeth.
How are Veneers Placed?
Porcelain veneers take two appointments for our team to complete. During your initial visit, we will prepare your teeth by removing a small amount of surface enamel. This allows the veneer to fit within your smile. Then, we take impressions that will be used by our lab to craft your restoration. To let you get used to the look and feel of your new smile, we will place a temporary veneer. When we receive the final veneers from the lab, you’ll return to exchange the temporary for your flawless, permanent porcelain veneers.
How do I Care for my Veneer to Prevent Staining?
To keep your porcelain veneer looking great longer, you should take the time to care for your smile in our office and at home. While you will not likely need to make many changes to your brushing and flossing routine, we may want to talk to you about your oral hygiene products. In order to prevent excessive wear to the stain-resistant resin, we recommend you use an ultra soft toothbrush and minimally abrasive toothpaste. You may also want to switch to a waxed floss or water flosser to avoid pulling around the edges of your veneer. During your biannual dental checkups, we’ll examine your veneers for signs of wear or damage and partner with you to make repairs to preserve your porcelain veneer.
Meet Dr. Reed
Jennifer Reed, DDS, FCOI is a skilled cosmetic dentist serving patients in Lincoln. At Smile Specialties, Dr. Reed and her dedicated dentistry team offer a wide array of cosmetic solutions to help patients create the flawless smiles of their dreams and keep them looking great. If you’re interested in porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, or any other smile makeover solutions, please contact us to schedule a cosmetic dentistry consultation in our state-of-the-art Lincoln dental office. We look forward to partnering with you to achieve and maintain your healthiest smile.
