A1 shade veneers look yellow - should I have them redone? (Photos)

Question

I had B1 temps fitted which I was happy with and didn’t want them any lighter. Met with lab tech at dentist’s suggestion and he advised that finals often end up brighter than temps. That worried me so I opted to go a shade down to A1. When my dentist placed them on my teeth prior to cementing I was a little concerned they looked a bit yellow but it was dark sononatura light in his office so I had them cemented. I’ve lived with them for a while now but don’t love them and can’t keep thinking I’ve got them for 20 odd years (the previous set which I had for 20 years were lighter than what I now have (probably B1 but last dentist didn’t have records going back that far for me to check). I looked at samples in the dentist office but obviously they look lighter outside your mouth. I’m kicking myself and don’t know what to do. I haven’t discussed this wirh my dentist yet but I sense he won’t be happy or willing to redo them since I okayed them. But I feel I was misled by the technician. I’m in my 50s and didn’t want bright white teeth but also don’t want them to look yellow.

Beau Keller, DDS · Answer

From the photos, your veneers do not look dramatically yellow to me, but they do appear to be on the warmer, more natural side rather than a bright white shade. The bigger issue is that you do not love the color, and with veneers that matters.
Unfortunately, once porcelain veneers are permanently cemented, the shade cannot usually be lightened in a meaningful way. Polishing can change surface texture or gloss, but it will not turn an A1 veneer into a noticeably whiter shade such as B1. Whitening products also will not whiten the porcelain itself.
Because of that, if you continue to feel that the veneers are too dark or too yellow for your preference, the predictable way to make a significant color change would be to replace them.
Before doing anything, I would definitely talk with your dentist. I would not assume that conversation will go badly. Explain exactly what you are seeing and that, although you approved them at the time, you have realized after living with them that the shade is not what you want long term. It is reasonable to ask whether there are any options for adjustment or replacement and what their policy would be.
If you do consider replacing them, I would spend much more time on the shade-selection process the second time around. Ideally, evaluate the proposed shade in natural light, not just operatory lighting, and compare it directly with the surrounding teeth and with photographs of smiles you consider the right level of brightness. A custom shade consultation with the ceramist can also be very helpful.
One other point: B1 is not necessarily “too white.” On many patients it can still look very natural. The right shade depends much more on your skin tone, surrounding teeth, translucency, and how the porcelain is designed than on the shade label alone.
So I would not panic, but I also would not talk yourself into living with a shade you dislike for the next 15–20 years. Start with a calm conversation with your dentist and see what options they are willing to offer.

A1 shade veneers look yellow - should I have them redone? (Photos)

Answers (1)

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