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Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

Think you’ve received fake da Vinci crowns for your teeth?

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In early December, I received 4 da Vinci crowns. But I think they are fake. My dentist insisted on da Vinci crowns made in California because he said they would give me the best results for my upper front teeth. After about six weeks, my dentist’s office called me to let me know the crowns arrived from the lab.

When my dentist put the crowns on my teeth, he wasn’t happy. He left the room for about 20 minutes and returned with a man who said he was from the lab. I knew the lab guy couldn’t be from California, so now I’m convinced that my dentist lied to me about what type of crowns I received. No wonder both of us are disappointed with them. They look fake and cheap. And who was this alleged guy from the lab?

So now I’m wearing temporary crowns because I told my dentist to hold everything and give me time to think about what to do next. The problem is, I don’t know what to do next. And I don’t trust my dentist. After searching all on the internet for 3 hours, I’ve e-mailed a few dental offices to see what they think about this. Can you help?

Thanks. Michelle from Newport, RI

 

Michelle,

We understand your suspicion about what’s happening with your dental crowns. It’s possible that your dentist ordered your crowns from the da Vinci lab, and a local dental technician modified them. But the da Vinci lab doesn’t charge for modifications, so it

About dental laboratories and cosmetic dentists

  • The ceramist – It takes a master ceramist to produce beautiful lifelike results for dental crowns and veneers. But most dental laboratories don’t have artistic ceramists to create gorgeous smile makeovers.
  • The lab – da Vinci is a large laboratory with a variety of ceramist—and not all of them are master ceramists. Some dentists find that the results produced by the lab are inconsistent, depending on which ceramist does the work. Sometimes cases are returned to da Vinci when a highly skilled cosmetic dentist sees that the restorations lack authenticity.
  • The cosmetic dentist – Many advanced cosmetic dentists select private master ceramists who consistently produce lifelike results. Those ceramists have higher fees, but their work is rarely returned because the dentist or patient is unhappy with it.

Your situation

  • Any cosmetic dentist who places dental crowns or veneers can advertise that they use the da Vinci brand. But even the best dental laboratory can’t compensate for a dentist’s lack of training and skill. And the brand doesn’t matter if your dentist’s skills are inadequate.
  • Many master ceramists are selective about which cosmetic dentist they will work with. Even a lab like da Vinci selects which top cosmetic dentists will receive the services of a master ceramist in the lab. Less-skilled ceramists will work for cosmetic dentists who are also less-skilled in aesthetics.
  • The name da Vinci is not a guarantee that you’ll receive beautiful results for your crowns or veneers. Unfortunately, your experience is more likely a reflection of your dentist’s lack of artistic talent and advanced training in cosmetic dentistry—if you have da Vinci crowns at all.

We suggest that you schedule a consultation with an advanced cosmetic dentist—preferably an accredited cosmetic dentist—who guarantees you’ll love your smile makeover.

After cosmetic dentistry close-up photo of a patient's smile after receiving dental crowns to close a gap and even and brighten her teeth.

A beautiful smile makeover with dental crowns depends on the skill of the cosmetic dentist

Michael Szarek, DMD—an accredited cosmetic dentist in Lowell, MA—sponsors this post.

3 Things to Know About Dental Implants and Playing Contact Sports

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I am an avid soccer player. Last November, I received a dental implant because I lost a front tooth when I was playing goalie and collided with another player. I found a dentist online, went to the office, and asked for an implant. I had the surgery in early November, and everything is going well so far. It’s healing, and I am waiting for a permanent crown. Yesterday, I spoke with my cousin, who is in dental school in CA. She told me that I shouldn’t have asked for an implant. She said that if I continue to play soccer and have another accident that affects the same tooth, I will have huge problems with the implant. She is only in dental school, so I need another opinion. Is it too late to get the implant removed and get a dental bridge instead? – Jordan from South Portland, ME

 

Jordan – Your cousin’s concern is valid. If you experience an impact to the same tooth, the implant can be knocked out of your jawbone, damage the bone, and require bone grafting.

Your implant surgery was in November, so there is no need to remove the implant fixture now. Your jawbone is in the process of fusing with the bone. A dental bridge requires preparing each tooth adjacent to the missing one. The bridge connects the teeth, so if you receive impact again, those teeth would be at risk for significant damage.

Are Dental Implants a Good Option If You Play Contact Sports?

Diagram of three phases of dental implants, for information on implants and diabetes from the office of Lowell, MA dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Dental implants fuse with the bone to provide stability. But repeated and strong impact to your mouth can dislodge it.

If you’re an avid boxer or play, soccer, hockey, football, or other high-contact sports, talk with your dentist about the best form of tooth replacement.

Ideally, when you’re active in sports:

  1. A dentist can provide you with a removable dental flipper to replace the missing tooth.
  2. You can remove the flipper while you’re playing sports and wear a mouthguard to protect your mouth and teeth.
  3. Get a dental implant when you’re no longer an avid player of impact sports.

What Can You Do Now that You Have an Implant?

You’ve already received an implant, so talk to your dentist about your concerns and order a custom mouthguard to provide maximum protection while you’re playing sports. Limit or avoid soccer-playing while the artificial tooth root is healing. Allow time for it to stabilize by avoiding activities that can cause an impact to your face or mouth.

Michael Szarek, DMD, a Lowell, MA, cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post.

What Should You Do If the Only Thing That Relieves Your Toothache Is Cold Water?

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I have four fillings on molar teeth that I received 10-12 years old. I didn’t get them all at once, though. Two of them don’t bother me at all, but one of them is loose, and another tooth throbs on occasion. When the pain gets severe, I hold water in my mouth to get some relief. It’s almost as if the water pressure is soothing. Last week I started using a tooth whitening kit that I bought online. I wanted to whiten my teeth before I got the silver fillings replaced with white ones. Today, the pain in the throbbing tooth got stronger and more persistent. Am I going to have to get the fillings replaced before I finish whitening my teeth? I haven’t selected a dentist yet! Thanks. Carver

Carver,

Photo of teeth whitening trays in a case, for information on DIY teeth whitening from Lowell, MA dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Discontinue teeth whitening if you have a lingering toothache

You should discontinue whitening your teeth. The symptoms in your throbbing tooth indicate that the tooth pulp is dying, and you’ll need a root canal treatment for it. You also need to find a dentist to replace the loose filling before that tooth dies.

Why Does Cold Water Relieve Your Toothache?

When a patient tells us that cold water relieves a toothache, there is no doubt that the pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth) is gangrenous and has almost died. Also, when your tooth is sensitive to heat, the pulp is dying.

  • When decay gets beneath a filling, it spreads until it infects the tooth pulp.
  • The pulp becomes gangrenous, gives off gases, inflames, increases pressure inside the tooth, and causes a toothache.
  • If you cool your tooth with water, the swelling decreases somewhat and eases the pain.
  • There isn’t enough room in your tooth for swelling and infection, so if left untreated, the pulp will die.

Treating the Tooth

You’ll feel relief from the pressure tooth when your dentist creates an opening for root canal treatment. Only root canal treatment will remove the infected pulp. Your dentist will clean the tooth deep into the roots, use dental material to fill it, seal it, and protect it with a dental crown.

Teeth whitening gel will irritate your teeth and cause more inflammation and pain. After your dentist treats the issues with the infected tooth and the loose filling, you can speak with him or her about your goals for whiter teeth.

Search online for an experienced dentist and schedule an appointment right away. If you’ve delayed getting treatment because you’re anxious about dental visits, look for a gentle dentist who will help you relax.

Lowell, MA, cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek sponsors this post.

5 Facts About Tetracycline-Stained Teeth that You Shouldn’t Ignore

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Many people are tempted to self-treat severe tetracycline staining by whitening their teeth or asking their family dentist for porcelain veneers. But this aesthetic issue requires much more skill than most dentists have.

1. What Causes Tetracycline Stains on Teeth?

If you took the antibiotic tetracycline as a child while your permanent teeth were still forming, the antibiotic might be discolored. Most likely, your teeth are grayish brown, and in severe cases, they are very dark.

2. Does Teeth Whitening Help Tetracycline Stains?

The KöR whitening system is so powerful that it can lighten tetracycline stains. Other teeth whitening systems are ineffective for these stains. Although KöR might not completely resolve the issue, it’s less expensive than porcelain veneers and can improve your smile. Keep in mind that your cosmetic dentist might not use KöR as treatment, or it might not be an option for your case.

3. Will Porcelain Veneers Help?

Although some dentists try to cover tetracycline stains with porcelain veneers, the results often don’t look good on your smile. There are several reasons:

  • Porcelain needs to be translucent to look natural – But translucency allows the dark stains to show through your veneers.
  • Opaque porcelain veneers don’t look natural either – If a dentist chooses to reduce the translucency in your veneers to conceal tetracycline stains, your teeth will look chalky or pasty.
  • Full coverage is needed – Often, dentists who lack experience in concealing tetracycline stains cover the fronts of the teeth—not the sides. This technique leaves dark shadows on the edges of your teeth.

The above scenarios attract attention to your smile for the wrong reasons. And that’s what you’re already trying to avoid. But in the hands of a skilled dentist, porcelain veneers can transform your smile.

4. Your Choice of Dentist Matters

Photo of dental forceps holding a single porcelain veneers, from the office of accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Szarek of Lowell, MA.

Only advanced cosmetic dentists can conceal tetracycline stains with veneers

Porcelain veneers can conceal tetracycline stains. But it requires the skill of an accomplished cosmetic dentist who understands how to block dark discoloration in your teeth while maintaining translucency in your porcelain veneers. It’s an art that most dentists lack. Aesthetic-driven laboratories craft opalescent porcelains that advanced dentists use to help you smile with confidence.

5. Consult with an Advanced Cosmetic Dentist

We recommend that you search for an accredited cosmetic dentist. Avoid asking your family dentist to try to resolve this issue for you. Most family dentists will taper your teeth and place porcelain crowns over them. Still, if the stains are very dark, crowns won’t completely conceal the discoloration. An accredited cosmetic dentist will preserve most of your natural tooth structure by treating the tetracycline stains with veneers or KöR whitening if appropriate.

During your consultation and exam, ask the accredited cosmetic dentist a few questions:

  • What treatment will you use to conceal the tetracycline stains in my teeth?
  • What results can I expect?
  • How many cases like mine have you completed?
  • May I see before-and-after photos of tetracycline cases you’ve treated with porcelain veneers or KöR whitening?

Lowell, MA accredited cosmetic dentist Michael Szarek, DMD sponsors this post.

Does Shaving Down Teeth for Porcelain Veneers Cause Sensitivity?

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Some people who experience sensitivity in their teeth wonder if the sensitivity will increase after a dentist shaves down their teeth in preparation for porcelain veneers.

Porcelain Veneers and Tooth Shaving – The Real Concern

Photo of dental forceps holding a single porcelain veneers, from the office of accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Szarek of Lowell, MA.

A porcelain veneer only covers the front of a tooth

If a dentist has mentioned shaving down your teeth for porcelain veneers—run. Your teeth don’t need to be shaved down to receive porcelain veneers. A veneer only covers the front of a tooth. However, if you are receiving porcelain crowns, your teeth will need to be tapered because a crown completely covers a tooth.

Preparing Teeth for Porcelain Veneers

Most advanced cosmetic dentists will preserve as much tooth structure as possible when you receive porcelain veneers. Your dentist will determine if preparation is needed depending on several factors, including:

  • the type of veneers you are receiving
  • the position of your teeth
  • your smile goals
  • your dentist’s technique

No-prep veneers

If you’re receiving ultra-thin porcelain veneers, your cosmetic dentist might determine that your case does not require preparation of your natural teeth. One example is that if you want your teeth to look larger, thicker, or more pronounced, preparation might not be required.

Minimal-prep veneers

Skilled cosmetic dentists conservatively prepare teeth for porcelain veneers while leaving at least 90% of tooth enamel intact. There are several advantages to ultra-conservative preparation.

  • Comfort – It only removes a small fraction of tooth enamel, which is non-sensitive tooth structure.
  • Bonding – It does not affect the dentin—the layer beneath the enamel. When tooth preparation reaches the dentin, it’s tricky to get the porcelain veneer to stay bonded. And sensitivity can result.
  • Health and appearance – Bonding to enamel instead of dentin provides a seal that keeps bacteria out and prevents microleakage. When bacteria can leak in and affect the dentin, it will cause the veneers to look dark, and infection can occur.

Look for an advanced—preferably accredited—cosmetic dentist to place your veneers. Your dentist will ensure that if preparation is needed, it will be minimal.

Will You Experience Sensitivity?

If your teeth are healthy and you receive no-prep or conservatively prepared veneers, you probably won’t feel any sensitivity after your veneers are placed. Patients who receive more aggressive preparation might temporarily experience mild sensitivity to heat or cold that lasts a few days up to a few weeks.

The dentist you select impacts the extent of preparation of your teeth, sensitivity issues, as well as aesthetics. We recommend that you find a dentist with advanced training in aesthetic dentistry. Look for a nearby accredited cosmetic dentist.

Accredited cosmetic dentist Michael Szarek, DMD of Lowell, MA sponsors this post.