Two weeks ago, I saw a scratch in the porcelain veneer on my left front tooth. I scheduled an appointment with my cosmetic dentist. She looked at my tooth and said she could buff it out. Although she buffed my tooth and it feels smooth, when I dry the tooth and look at it in the mirror, I notice that it is no longer shiny. It looks matte. She told me that she used cups and a thin polishing mechanism, not a prophy jet.  I am concerned that the dull area will stain. Is this common, or will I need a new veneer? – Thanks. Andrew from New Mexico

 

Andrew,

A matte finish makes porcelain more susceptible to stain. A skilled cosmetic dentist can polish the veneer, give it luster, and almost match the original glaze. Although it doesn’t require the same specialized skill as a smile makeover, polishing a veneer involves knowledge of the process and specialized materials.

How Can a Dentist Polish Porcelain?

A cosmetic dentist can polish porcelain by using meticulous polishing techniques along with diamond polishing instruments, polishing paste, and ultra-fine diamond polishing paste at the end.

If your current cosmetic dentist placed your veneers and you’re happy with his work, you can return to her. Ask for a higher shine and tell her that you received a suggestion to use Brasseler’s Dialite porcelain polishing system to restore the gloss to your veneer.

Increase Your Comfort with a Second Opinion

If you’re not sure if you want your dentist to polish your veneer again, schedule an appointment with an accredited cosmetic dentist for a second opinion. Dentists who earn accreditation have advanced training in dental aesthetics. They demonstrate advanced skill and technique by passing rigorous exams and submitting successful patient cases that they completed from start to finish.

Brian P. LeSage, DDS, a Beverly Hills accredited cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post.