Expert: Mark Bornfeld DDS - 5/30/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hi there,

I am thinking of having my teeth whitened using Zoom, I have 6 upper veneers which I have had for around 12 years, will Zoom take any staining from them? or can you recommend anything for veneer whitening/stain removal?

Thanks in advance

ANSWER: Dear barrie,

Whitening systems such as Zoom! and BriteSmile, as well as the more conventional tray bleaching systems such as Crest WhiteStrips, will not whiten veneers. If the veneers have become coated by deposits from food, beverages, or tobacco, these stains can be removed by either scrupulous toothbrushing or a professional dental cleaning. However, the intrinsic color of a veneer cannot be changed. The only way to whiten a veneer is to replace it with a veneer having a whiter color.

Hope this helps...

Mark Bornfeld DDS
www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Mark,

Thanks very much for the reply, I am just concerned that my natural teeth may end up whiter than the others, I think I may have the whitening done and the professional cleaning, if the other teeth end up whiter I will have to have them re-done? in your experience is this easy enough to do?

Thanks again
barrie

Answer
Dear barrie,

Certainly, it's easy enough to re-make the veneers. All it takes is the time, money, and resolve. Keep in mind that the amount of whitening you will see from Zoom is modest-- it is not dramatic. It may well be that you won't need to replace the veneers due to a color mis-match with the other teeth, so long as you're satisfied with their color now.

Mark Bornfeld DDS