When veneers aren't properly bonded, food or drink can seep behind them and cause discoloration. In this case, they will have an uneven gray color. It also promotes a buildup of bacteria and can cause tooth decay. In either case, an expert cosmetic dentist can identify the problem and resolve it.
Excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and hard brushing are all causes of discolouration in veneers. As well as these, poor dental bonding work can also lead to your veneers turning grey. There are many reasons why veneers become discoloured, but also several methods for cleaning porcelain veneers.
Veneers are cemented onto teeth. In some cases, the cement used in the attachment process can become stained, thus causing the veneers to appear darker. If that happens, your cosmetic dentist may have to remove the veneers and reattach them with fresh cement.
Dental crowns that are fixed to a metal post, whether they are porcelain-fused-to-metal or composite, can have a gray tint in natural light. This is because the outer material doesn't obscure the dark metal beneath.
Another possible reason your veneers have taken on a black or blue-gray tint is that they were not properly bonded to your teeth. Without proper bonding, substances can leak between your teeth and veneers. These substances can cause discoloration, which is not a common occurrence and a preventable one.
While veneers are often made out of stain-resistant materials, they can be susceptible to staining over time, especially if they are made from composites. Research shows that porcelain veneers do not get discolored or stained easily, but those made from composite resins do.
When a single tooth changes to become grey in color, you may have a condition known as a necrotic pulp. The pulp is the collection of nerves and blood vessels residing within the hollow chamber of each tooth. It is this pulp tissue that “dies” and most often causes color changes.
Tooth color, stain, or a metal post in teeth can cause crowns to have a hint of gray. Some dentists use clear glycerin to try in crowns and mimic transparent cement or bonding.
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.
While crowns and veneers cannot absorb stains like natural tooth enamel can, they can still lose their luster over time. At home, patients can use a gentle polishing toothpaste for a whiter appearance.
Gum recession
If your gums are prone to receding, you may find that the edges of your veneers start to turn black. This is because as your gums recede, it creates a tiny gap in between the veneer and your gum.
Veneers or porcelain crowns may not succumb to decay, but the tooth under the veneer can still decay and discolor, affecting the look and hue of the veneer. Dirty teeth can also lead to gum disease and bad breath, even with veneers.
Texas cosmetic dentist Dr. John Schmid discusses that porcelain veneers are color stable and will not fade or stain.
Whitening treatments can also improve the color of a tooth that has died. However, tetracycline-affected teeth often bleach unevenly. For these teeth and deep gray or blue teeth, crowns or veneers may give a better result.
A calcium deficiency can lead to teeth discoloration as well as tooth loss. However, this type of vitamin deficiency is rare because most people get plenty of calcium through their diet. Some good ways to consume calcium are dairy products and leafy greens.
If a milk tooth receives a hard knock, then it may discolour and start to turn grey, yellow or black in colour. This often happens two to three weeks after the initial accident. This means that the tooth's blood supply has been affected and it is struggling to get the necessary amount of blood.
A dying tooth may appear yellow, light brown, gray, or even black. It may look almost as if the tooth is bruised. The discoloration will increase over time as the tooth continues to decay and the nerve dies. If you experience any symptoms of a dying tooth, it's important to see your dentist right away.
Teeth whitening procedures often work better on yellow or orange teeth but can lighten and brighten the appearance of gray teeth. Your dentist may recommend at-home whitening treatments using strips or trays for less severe graying, or they may propose in-office procedures for more advanced discoloration.
This occurs when the outer layer of the enamel becomes stained because of the consumption of certain substances. Consumables that can cause tooth discolouration include: Food and drink such as coffee, tea, wine, cola, tobacco and certain fruits and vegetables e.g. apples and potatoes. Smoking or chewing tobacco.
It's possible to increase the longevity significantly by sticking to a dental hygiene routine, which can keep your teeth looking phenomenal for over 30 years. On average, porcelain veneers last 10-15 years with proper dental care.
Replacing veneers typically happens about 15-20 years after they were placed. Some of the signs that it's time to replace your porcelain veneers are that they are chipped or cracked. Replacing veneers is similar to the initial installation of the porcelain veneers.
The lifespan of dental veneers depends on whether you have porcelain or composite veneers, and how well you care for them. Porcelain laminate veneers can last from 10 to 12 years. Composite resin veneers need to be replaced sooner, since they last for around 4 to 8 years.