Discoloured Teeth Treatment

One of the most effective ways of improving the colour of your teeth is by having custom veneers fitted. Veneers are made up of thin porcelain and are designed to cover up tooth inadequacies such as discolouration.

Even the most severely discoloured teeth can have their brightness restored using veneers. This approach can even transform teeth that have become discoloured due to intrinsic tooth discolouration – which affects the internal makeup of the tooth, not just its surface. Examples of this are age, tetracycline staining and fluorosis.

Before having your veneers fitted, you may have to be prepped for the procedure. This usually involves the process of tooth contouring, to prepare your teeth for veneer placement. However, in some cases, you may only require a small amount of preparation, or if you only have small stains you could be eligible for no-prep veneers.

To fit your veneers correctly, your dentist is required to take impressions of your teeth to form a mould for the construction of your veneers. You can then decide on your shape, size and colour preferences.

If you are only having one or a couple of teeth veneered, then you must consider the colour of the rest of your teeth when choosing a shade, to ensure that they blend in. You may opt to have the other teeth whitened before you have your veneers fitted, which will enhance the overall look of your teeth.

Your veneers can easily be prepped, adjusted and applied to your teeth over two sessions. During this time, your dentist will ensure that your experience is completely relaxed and pain-free, whilst also providing you with high-quality veneers that will transform your smile.

There are a number of ways in which your teeth will begin to appear discoloured, although the most common causes include:

• Consuming foods or drinks that cause stains, i.e. coffee, tea, wine, tomatoes, blueberries, and more
• Poor dental hygiene, such as infrequent brushing, flossing and using antiseptic mouthwash
• Damages to the teeth due to injury, which can disturb the formation of enamel
• Medications may contain substances that cause tooth discolouration
• Diseases that affect tooth enamel and the surrounding area can affect the colour of your teeth

Extrinsic discolouration – which affects tooth enamel – can be avoided by restricting your intake of tobacco and stain-prone foods and drinks. If you do consume any of these items, then it is recommended that you rinse your mouth out with water or mouthwash to prevent stains as soon as possible.

One of the best prevention methods for teeth staining is maintaining regular oral hygiene, which means you should brush, floss and use mouthwash at least twice a day. You can also visit your dentist for regular cleanings, which will ensure that your teeth are protected against surface stains.

Intrinsic discolouration occurs when there is damage to the nerve or blood vessel within the tooth. This is usually a result of injury or disease. There are not many prevention methods in place, which is why veneers are so effective in intrinsic discolouration cases.

Veneers are made of porcelain, and therefore do not stain, however over time, the cement that is used to fit the veneers may begin to cause slight discolouration. This can easily be rectified by visiting your dentist who can clean out the cement to improve the colour of your veneers.

In more severe cases, your dentist may advise you to have new veneers fitted, although this would usually only occur after around fifteen years of wear.

Get In Touch

If you would like to know more about tooth discolouration and the procedure carried out to rid your teeth of stains, please contact us today on 020 7971 1909 to speak to one of our experts. Alternatively, you fill in our online enquiry form for one of our experts to get back in touch with you for a discussion as soon as possible.