Tag Archives: porcelain veneers falling off

Teeth whitening

My Teeth Are Dark Beneath My Veneers. Can I Whiten Them?

I got Lumineers in 2010, and although I had problems with them falling off, I finally got that issue fixed by visiting a different dentist. Since February 2020, my teeth beneath the veneers began turning dark. Also, the veneers do not fit well at my gums anymore. My veneers are not as white as some of my friends’ natural teeth. Is the issue with the veneers or my teeth beneath them? Can a dentist remove the veneers, clean and whiten my teeth and bond them on again? – Anika from GA

Anika,

You have had an unfortunate experience with porcelain veneers. We hope that it will not take long to find an experienced cosmetic dentist to correct the issue.

Why Are Teeth Dark Beneath Porcelain Veneers?

When your teeth are dark beneath your porcelain veneers, the veneers are leaking. You no longer have a tight seal between the veneers and your teeth. That is why your veneers are separating from your gumline. Fluid and bacteria leak in, cause staining, and promote decay.

The first dentist who bonded your veneers did not do it correctly. That’s why they were falling off. But it seems that the second dentist did not understand how to re-bond porcelain veneers. Several steps are required.

Can Porcelain Veneers Be Re-Bonded?

A trained cosmetic dentist can re-bond your porcelain veneers. But it takes care using these steps:

  • Remove and clean the veneers
  • Remove the old bonding material with sand-blasting equipment
  • Clean your teeth
  • Etch the inner surface of the porcelain with hydrofluoric acid
  • Prime the veneers
  • Bond them onto your teeth

After the above process, your veneers will remain on your teeth without leaking for many years.

Can You Remove and Clean Your Veneers?

Photo of upper and lower teeth whitening trays in a blue case; for information on free teeth whitening from the office Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.
A dentist will not be able to remove your veneers to whiten your teeth

Removing the veneers, whitening your teeth, and bonding the veneers on again is risky. Your veneers are not loose, so they will probably break in the process. A dentist must grind the veneers off your teeth. At this point, it is best to replace your porcelain veneers.

This time, look for an advanced cosmetic dentist with post-graduate cosmetic dentistry training. You can schedule consultations with one or two cosmetic dentists before you ask for an exam.

Plano, TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy sponsors this post.