Your Teeth Are Stained
It’s ironic, but sometimes the very durability of your cosmetic dentistry may be a problem. Porcelain veneers and other modern cosmetic dentistry are resistant to stains. With glazes and other coatings, it can be very hard for stains to penetrate into the material. But your teeth are highly susceptible to staining. They are porous and stains can penetrate easily into them. As a result, your teeth can become much darker than the restorations.
Teeth whitening can help slow this progression, but at a certain point, your teeth won’t whiten enough to match the restorations.
Your Restorations Are Stained
On the other hand, some restorations are vulnerable to staining. In particular composite materials used for fillings and dental bonding procedures can become discolored. And they are unlikely to respond to teeth whitening the same way that your natural tooth enamel does. As a result, your restorations will become discolored.
Even stain-resistant restorations can become vulnerable to stains. Often this is because the protective coating has been worn away. This will happen eventually, but if you’re using an abrasive toothpaste, it will happen at a faster rate.
Your Teeth Are Eroded
Another problem that can contribute to the discoloration of your natural teeth is the erosion of tooth enamel by acidic foods and beverages. Many common foods and beverages are acidic enough to dissolve your tooth enamel. Even stomach acid can erode your tooth enamel if you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or illnesses that cause frequent vomiting.
But your restorations are resistant to acid, so they’re less likely to erode away and will retain their appearance for many years.
Chemical Changes in Restorations
Other times, restorations may actually change color over time. Chemical changes in the restoration may cause them to become a different color. Some types of restorations are more susceptible to this than others. Inexpensive restorations in common use ten years ago are especially susceptible to this type of change.
A Beautifully Matched Smile Again
If you’ve become unhappy with the appearance of your smile over time because the restorations no longer match the appearance of your natural teeth, we can help. We can help you get new restorations that look nearly indistinguishable from your natural teeth. And these new restorations are even more resistant to wear and discoloration.
To learn more about getting the best smile of your life again, please call (912) 234-8282 today for an appointment with a Savannah cosmetic dentist at Beyond Exceptional Dentistry.
