Many patients desire a bright, white smile, which is why porcelain veneers are a popular option. However, dental professionals recommend getting any desired teeth whitening before undergoing this cosmetic treatment so that your personalized veneers can be designed to fit your chosen aesthetic. This blog will discuss the benefits of teeth whitening before veneers.
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
Dental veneers are ultra-thin porcelain or resin shells that cover the front surface of your teeth. They have gained massive popularity because they address multiple cosmetic concerns in one treatment. Porcelain veneers are the more durable option of the two, making them the best choice for patients who want a lasting smile.
Porcelain veneers can correct several smile imperfections, including:
- Chips and minor fractures
- Tooth discoloration and staining
- Gaps between teeth and misalignment
- Damaged or disproportionate teeth
Porcelain veneers not only improve the appearance of your smile but also provide oral health benefits.
Teeth Whitening Before or After Veneers?
If you’re planning on getting veneers to improve your smile, you may be wondering if any additional steps need to be taken prior to your procedure. Teeth whitening is something that many patients choose to do before they get their veneers placed. This is because veneers are color-matched to the shade of your natural teeth, ensuring that they blend in seamlessly with your entire smile.
Why Dentists Say to Whiten First
Generally, it is best to whiten your teeth before getting your veneers placed, not after. Porcelain veneers do not respond to traditional teeth whitening methods, as porcelain is a non-porous material. If you whiten your teeth after getting dental veneers, the natural teeth surrounding the veneers may appear whiter and brighter, creating a mismatched appearance.
- Veneer Color Is Permanent: Once your veneers get made and placed on your teeth, that color is permanent. You can’t change it later without getting completely new veneers, which can be pricey.
- You Get the Best Possible Shade: Whitening first means your veneers are made to match your brightest, whitest natural teeth, rather than your current duller shade. This gives you the brilliant smile you want.
- Your Dentist Can Evaluate Your Teeth: Some people’s teeth respond to whitening better than others. Your dentist can see your actual whitening results before picking veneer shades. This creates more predictable, natural-looking outcomes.
The Problem With Whitening After Veneers
Patients who decide to whiten their teeth after getting dental veneers can run into a few problems:
Veneers Won’t Change Color
Veneers are made from porcelain, a non-porous material that is generally resistant to staining. That’s a good thing because it means coffee and wine won’t discolor them over time. However, it also means that whitening treatments do not affect them. They’re locked into whatever shade your dentist has created.
Two-Tone Teeth
Teeth whitening after veneers can result in natural teeth that appear bright white, while the porcelain veneers may look yellow or gray in comparison. This two-tone result can be disappointing, as it overshadows the other health and aesthetic benefits of the veneers for many patients.
What If My Veneers Have Stained or Discolored?
Even top-of-the-line veneers can lose their brightness over time. This happens for a few reasons. Coffee, wine, and smoking can create stains around the edges where veneers meet your natural teeth. These edges are vulnerable spots.
Professional cleaning fixes most minor discoloration. Your dentist can remove surface buildup and polish your veneers back to their original shine. More serious problems might require veneer replacement. Sometimes, a complete smile makeover makes more sense to refresh everything at once.
To take care of your veneers, we recommend:
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush
- Select non-abrasive toothpaste formulations
- Avoid at-home whitening products
- Rinse thoroughly after consuming foods and drinks that can cause staining
- Maintain regular cleanings at La Jolla Cosmetic Dentistry & Orthodontics
Looking For Professional Teeth Whitening in San Diego, CA? We Can Help!
At La Jolla Cosmetic Dentistry & Orthodontics, we understand exactly how to time your whitening and veneer treatments for optimal results. Your initial consultation includes a complete treatment timeline. We explain each step so you know the entire process from start to finish. No surprises, no costly revisions.
Call us at (858) 622-1007 or visit our contact page to schedule your consultation.
