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Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

Is swallowing ground porcelain crown particles harmful?

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Two weeks ago, my dentist placed a porcelain crown on a top right molar tooth. My bite was off, so my dentist ground down in crown in some places. Neither she nor the dental assistant rinsed my mouth. I felt some sandy particles go down my throat. What else could it be other than porcelain powder? Isn’t porcelain glass? I was upset with myself for not asking them to rinse my mouth. Should I be concerned? Thanks. Amari

Amari,

There aren’t any safety concerns about swallowing porcelain power because porcelain is biocompatible. Although there is some glass in porcelain, it’s not glass. And dental porcelain is made of the following components:

  • Feldspar (a mineral)
  • Silica (sand)
  • Kaolin (clay)
  • Some glass (mostly silica)
  • Coloring agents

When a dentist grinds down a porcelain crown, the sharpness of the glass particles is reduced. And the particles shouldn’t harm your throat or stomach.

A dental crown hovering below an upper front tooth

Although porcelain is biocompatible, your cosmetic dentist should prevent you from swallowing it

Although ground porcelain isn’t a health concern, it’s unpleasant for you. And it’s bad for a dentist to be negligent and allow you to swallow debris or anything else from a dental procedure. Although dental materials are safe for oral use, they are not designed for swallowoing.

Skilled cosmetic dentists—and all conscientious dentists—use high-volume suction to rinse your mouth and remove debris regularly. What’s left in your mouth should be rinsed and spit or suctioned out. Carelessly leaving stuff behind in your mouth is poor service and a good way to lose your confidence in your dentist’s concern for your comfort and oral health.

The good news is that you’ll be okay. You didn’t mention any past negative experiences with your dentist. But if you continue to experience them in the future, you might want to ask yourself if it’s worth it.

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

If get dental implants if I’m 16 and still have baby canine teeth?

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I’m 16 years old, and my upper and lower permanent canine teeth never came in. The baby teeth didn’t loosen or fall out, and the permanent ones never came in. Last December, my dentist removed the bottom teeth. The right permanent canine on the bottom was behind the primary tooth and grew almost in the right space. But the left permanent canine on the bottom is growing too close to the lateral incisor and leaving a space that looks like I have a missing tooth.

The issue with my canine teeth is leaving spaces between my teeth. I don’t want to remove the top canine teeth because I’m afraid that the permanent teeth will come up like the bottom ones and leave spaces. And then my other teeth will start moving, too. Are dental implants a solution for the spaces between my teeth? – Kerry

Kerry,

We are concerned about the situation you’ve described. If you have regular checkups, your dentist should address the problem. What you’re experiencing with your teeth is not uncommon, though. And dental schools train dentists on how to take good x-rays of your entire jaw to resolve the problem.

What Prevents Permanent Teeth from Erupting?

Often, permanent teeth don’t erupt because they are impacted. Some permanent teeth never form. Lateral incisors, lower premolars, and wisdom teeth most commonly don’t develop, but it’s rare for canine teeth not to develop. In the teenage years, when permanent canine teeth don’t erupt, it’s often because they are impacted.

If your dentist takes x-rays of your entire jaw, he’ll get answers to these questions:

  • Where are the permanent teeth?
  • Are they impacted?
  • Are they in front of, or behind, other permanent teeth?

Orthodontic treatment will help the teeth erupt in the correct position. One treatment that allows an impacted a permanent tooth to erupt is for an orthodontist to make a surgical opening in the tissue to expose it. If necessary, the orthodontist might use braces and attach a bracket to the tooth to help it erupt in the correct position. An orthodontist will also determine if there is enough room for a tooth to erupt in the right place.

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 need room beneath them to fuse with the bone and provide stability.

Canine teeth are anchor teeth and an essential part of your smile. It’s usually best to remove the first premolar to allow the canine to erupt. Afterward, braces can straighten the remaining teeth.

Will Dental Implants Work with Impacted Teeth?

Dental implants won’t work with impacted teeth because the teeth will block the implants. Implants require a clear path to fuse with your jawbone and remain stable. A dentist will only place implants if there are no teeth beneath them.

If your dentist can’t resolve the issue, we recommend that you get a second opinion or visit an orthodontist.

Michael Szarek, DMD, of Lowell, MA sponsors this post.

Can A Dentist Whiten My Teeth to Match My Eyeballs?

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I think it would be cool to get my teeth bleached to match the color of my eyeballs. My teeth and eyes would play off each other. It sounds intriguing to watch people look at me and try to figure out what’s happening/what they are seeing. Is it possible for a dentist to get the color right, or am I unrealistic? Anise from CT

Anise,

What a creative question! Thanks for submitting it to our office. There are some challenges to bleaching teeth to match your eyeballs. We’ll explain why and tell you about an alternative.

Whitening Your Teeth to Match Your Eyeballs

Whether or not a dentist can bleach your teeth to match your eyeballs depends on the whiteness of your eyeballs. Although it’s possible, there is a limit to how white a dentist can bleach your teeth. A dentist can whiten your teeth but not predict if they will lighten enough for your goal.

An Alternative to Bleaching

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

Teeth whitening might not whiten your teeth enough to match your eyeballs

It’s easier to manipulate porcelain and get a good color match than to rely on teeth whitening. That’s why dentists who do a combination of whitening and porcelain veneers for patients with dark teeth will complete the whitening first. After the whitening stabilizes, a cosmetic dentist works with a ceramist to match the veneers perfectly to your whitened teeth.

Look for an advanced cosmetic dentist in your area and schedule a consultation to discuss the changes you want to make with your tooth color. The dentist will explain your options and what you can expect with teeth whitening vs. porcelain veneers.

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

Chipped Tooth? What to Expect from a Porcelain Veneer or an Alternative

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Last week I was at a family pool party and had an accident that chipped my tooth. The chip isn’t large, but it’s on the inside of my right center tooth, so it’s noticeable. I have questions about porcelain veneers if you have a few minutes.

If I get a veneer, can it look like my original tooth shape? Will the color match my left front tooth? How much time will it take to get the tooth repaired?

Thanks. Tanya W.

Tanya,

The results depend on the dentist who does the work. If a family dentist restores your tooth, the results might not look natural. But an expert cosmetic dentist can perfectly match a veneer to your left center tooth.

An Alternative to Porcelain Veneers

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

It’s not necessary to cover the entire front of your tooth with a porcelain veneer to conceal a chip

If the only damage to your right front tooth is a chip, composite bonding is the best way to conceal it. The process is less invasive than a porcelain veneer, and a cosmetic dentist will complete it while you’re sitting in the dental chair:

  • Roughen the surface of your tooth where it’s chipped
  • Apply dental composite that matches your tooth shade
  • Shape the composite to mimic the characteristics of your teeth
  • Harden the composite and further shape and polish it

In contrast, a porcelain veneer requires the following steps:

  • Remove a small amount of tooth enamel to ensure the veneer fits well and looks natural
  • Take impressions and photos of your teeth
  • Place a temporary veneer over your tooth for you to try out
  • If you approve the look and feel of the temporary, a ceramist will make the final veneer
  • Send instructions, impressions, and photos to the lab and ceramist to make your porcelain
  • Bond the veneer to your tooth after you’re sure it’s beautiful

In either case, choose an expert cosmetic dentist—preferably accredited—to achieve natural-looking results that help you smile with confidence again. Cosmetic dentistry is an art. Only dentists with post-graduate training and artistic ability to achieve lifelike results. And there are only a few genuine cosmetic dentists.

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

If a Porcelain Veneer Falls Off, Should It Be Replaced with a Crown?

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Last December, my dentist placed 6 porcelain veneers on my front teeth. Two weeks after my dentist bonded the veneers, one of the incisor veneers fell off and broke while I was eating. The tooth was quite sensitive. My dentist said that he needed to adjust my bite. He shortened the opposite bottom tooth and the porcelain veneer. My dentist applied chemicals to my tooth that hurt so bad because it was already sensitive, despite his claims that the fix would be painless.

Last week, the same veneer fell off while I was eating. I feel the same sensitivity in my tooth. I called my dentist’s office to report the problem, and he returned my call and asked me to schedule an appointment for a porcelain crown because my bite must still be off. My dentist hasn’t looked at my tooth, and he wants me to get a crown. I’m suffering from sensitivity in the tooth, and I’m very skeptical about returning to my dentist. Is it normal for a cosmetic dentist to replace a veneer with a crown that keeps falling off?  – Omar from CT

Omar,

Two things aren’t normal about your situation. Porcelain veneers don’t commonly fall off, and it isn’t reasonable to grind down your tooth to replace the veneer with a dental crown.

Your dentist’s explanation about why your porcelain veneer is falling off doesn’t sound logical—especially since your dentist adjusted your bite, and the veneer fell off again. When a dentist properly bonds a porcelain veneer, it might chip or crack—but not fall off.

Why Do Porcelain Veneers Fall Off?

Improper bonding – Porcelain veneers require skill and proper bonding techniques. A dentist needs post-graduated cosmetic dentistry training to understand which tools and materials are needed for successful bonding. We are skeptical that your dentist has received the proper training to give you a long-lasting smile makeover.

Aggressive tooth preparation – If your dentist aggressively prepared your tooth and removed too much enamel, it would cause sensitivity in your tooth and make it a challenge for the veneer to stay in place.

Switch to an Advanced Cosmetic Dentist

If you take the veneer to an advanced cosmetic dentist—preferably accredited— he or she will ensure your tooth is prepared correctly and bond the veneer back in place. A cosmetic dentist who can save your tooth from a crown and ensure your veneer is secure.

Michael Szarek, DMD, an accredited cosmetic dentist in Lowell, MA, sponsors this post. Dr. Szarek’s office is conveniently located near Dracut, Chelmsford, Tewksbury, Billerica, Westford, Andover, Lawrence, Wilmington, Bedford, and Burlington.
Below are porcelain veneers photos of one of Dr. Szarek’s patients.