How to Whiten Veneers

Dentists apply veneers to the front of flawed teeth to transform smiles. Veneers are crafted from porcelain or composite resin---a type of plastic. Porcelain veneers last 10 years or more, resist staining, and mimic the translucency of natural tooth enamel. Sometimes, however, the bonding material used to apply a porcelain veneer degrades and causes the top edge of a tooth to discolor. Or, the bonding cement may undergo a color change during the hardening process. Composite resin veneers typically last 5 to 10 years and don't possess the same translucent or stain-resistant qualities.

Instructions

Gather Information

• 1

  Determine the type of veneer: porcelain or composite resin.

• 2

  Assess the degree and nature of the dental staining.

• 3

  Discuss potential solutions with the patient and decide upon the appropriate one for the patient's budget, expectations and lifestyle.

Whiten a Porcelain Veneer

• 4

  Remove the discolored bonding material along the top edge of the tooth.

• 5

  Tint composite resin to the appropriate color.

• 6

  Replace the section of stained bonding material with the newly mixed composite resin. Note that the results of this method often are not esthetically pleasing or secure.

• 7

  Remove and replace the entire veneer to eliminate dental staining and ensure a completely natural appearance.

Whiten a Composite Resin Veneer

• 8

  Perform a maintenance polishing of the veneer.

• 9

  Remove the area of stained composite resin if the maintenance polishing does not remove the dental staining.

• 10

  Tint new composite resin to the ideal shade.

• 11

  Bond the new resin in place.

Whiten a Veneered Tooth from Behind

• 12

  Determine the appropriate whitening method for the situation.

• 13

  Drill out the filler material if a tooth has undergone a root canal.

• 14

  Apply bleaching solution to the back of the tooth.

• 15

  Replace the filler material, if applicable. This method is recommended only for porcelain, not composite resin, veneers.