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Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

Are Veneers My Only Option for Tetracycline-Stained Teeth?

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I am increasingly self-conscious about tetracycline stains on my teeth. It is embarrassing to try to explain it to people who seem distracted by my teeth and unable to concentrate on our conversation. Last month, I had a consultation with a cosmetic dentist who recommended porcelain veneers. The cost of $20,000 – $30,000 would heavily impact my savings. My teeth and self-esteem are worth it, but I am interested in knowing whether I have other options. – Thank you. Aaron from Georgia

Aaron,

Thank you for your question.

The cost quoted to you is reasonable for premier porcelain veneers from a skilled dentist. We will explain more about the treatment for tetracycline stains.

Do Porcelain Veneers Work for Tetracycline Stains?

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

Porcelain veneer

Concealing tetracycline stains with porcelain veneers takes advanced training, skill, and artistry from a cosmetic dentist. If you find a dentist with low fees who claims to be able to hide the stains, you can count on getting inferior results. The stains may show through the veneers, or the veneers may look opaque or pasty, making it evident that you had dental work. But an advanced cosmetic dentist and adept ceramist can produce incredible results with veneers.

Will Bonding or Teeth Whitening Help Tetracycline Stains?

Whether dental bonding or teeth whitening will help tetracycline stains depends on the severity of stains and a dentist’s skill and experience.

  • Dental bonding – The skill and precision it takes a cosmetic dentist to blend composites and apply them to your teeth to hide tetracycline stains can be more costly than porcelain veneers.
  • Teeth whitening – A skilled cosmetic dentist may recommend a high-strength whitening system to improve tetracycline stains, but the results will not be as effective as porcelain veneers. Bleaching treatment is a tiny fraction of the cost of porcelain veneers.

Request Another Consultation for Tetracycline Stains

Comparing your options can help you understand whether you are making the right decision regarding cosmetic dentistry. We recommend scheduling another consultation with an accredited cosmetic dentist to examine your x-rays and teeth. The second opinion can clarify which treatment will give you results that help you feel good about your smile.

Best wishes.

Dr. Michael Szarek, an accredited cosmetic dentist in Lowell, Massachusetts, sponsors this post.

Is Whitening the Right Way to Remove Brown Teeth Stains?

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Over the past two years, I began to get brown stains on my teeth that are increasing. I see my dentist twice yearly, and she notices the stains, too. My dentist recommends whitening my teeth, but neither of us knows what is causing the stains. My dentist says the source is probably not serious because I am in my 50s, and the stains are just developing. I asked my primary care doctor about the stains, and he told me to check with my dentist first. I feel like I am stuck in a loop. Yesterday, a friend mentioned that I could research dental bonding if whitening does not work. Should I let my dentist whiten my teeth or get a second opinion? Thank you. Omari from CT

Omari,

Thank you for your question.

We are unsure why your dentist has not tried to identify the cause of the stains and recommend treatment. But you can ask her what might be causing the stains to understand why she recommends whitening your teeth.

Types of Tooth Stains that Develop in Adults

When stains develop during adulthood, they are either internal or external stains.

  • Internal stains – Internal stains can form as your teeth absorb pigments from foods and drinks, such as tea or coffee. Internal stains are even in appearance and affect the entire teeth, and bleaching can break them down. Some prescription medications can cause external stains, too.
  • External stains – External stains appear around your gumline and between your teeth. Some toothpaste brands, such as Supersmile, remove the sticky film (protein pellicle) from your teeth and stains that stick to it. Also, Supersmile toothpaste works because it removes the protein pellicle on your teeth and the stains that adhere to it. Your dental hygienist can remove surface stains.

Identifying the Cause of Tooth Stains

Sometimes a health condition or medication can cause discoloration in teeth. Ask your dentist to review your medical and prescription histories. If neither health nor medication is a factor, your dentist’s recommendation makes sense.

Will You Need Teeth Bleaching or Dental Bonding?

Teeth bleaching gel applied to teeeth

A cosmetic dentist can identify the cause of, and treat, brown teeth stains

Whether a dentist uses teeth bleaching or dental bonding depends on the cause of the tooth stains. If your teeth stains come from coffee or tea, whitening from your dentist will break them down. Dental bonding is usually not necessary unless internal tooth stains develop from medication, fluorosis, or a medical condition.

Teeth whitening from a dentist is safe and can help your smile look younger. If your dentist is not willing to identify the cause of the stains, you can look for a dentist with cosmetic dentistry training to help you.

Lowell, Massachusetts, accredited cosmetic dentist, Dr. Michael Szarek, sponsors this post. His office is convenient to Andover, Dracut, Chelmsford, Tewksbury, and surrounding cities.

 

My Tooth Broke at the Gumline and the Repair Is Unresolved

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Five months ago, my left front tooth broke at the gumline. Although my dentist said he would do an extraction and bridge, he did a root canal on the tooth instead of the extraction. My insurance company will not pay for the bridge because I have other missing teeth and one that requires extraction, so really, a bridge will not work. My dentist said he would give me a refund if I signed a waiver to agree that he is not responsible if I have problems with the tooth that broke at the gumline. I am wearing a poor-fitting partial flipper and waiting for a solution for the damaged tooth. My dentist wants me to pay for the flipper without telling me about the final solution. I do not think it is fair to ask me to sign a waiver. Should I accept the loss and go into debt for a dental implant? – Thank you. Tyrone  from Kansas City

Tyrone,

Your dentist is responsible for starting work that he cannot complete and switching treatment options on you without proper notice. We recommend that you not make any decisions before switching to another dentist. Do not sign a release.

Getting a Refund from Your Dentist

Picture of dental iimplant parts separate and put together

A dental implant can replace a tooth broken at the gumline

You can get a refund from your dentist by contacting these professionals or organizations for help:

  • A lawyer – Consult with a lawyer to understand your options for getting a refund and compensation for your discomfort. Get copies of your dental records before the consultation.
  • A cosmetic dentist – Look for a dentist with advanced cosmetic dentistry training—preferably accredited—to conduct a thorough exam and take x-rays to determine how to restore your teeth. The new dentist will likely be willing to confirm that your dentist’s work on your teeth was faulty. A dental implant is a reliable way to replace your missing teeth. Talk with your new dentist about payment plans or financing to make treatment affordable.
  • Your dental insurance company – Report the issue to your insurance company if it is involved. Your dentist should not receive payment for the care you did not receive.
  • The state dental board – Report the issue. Although your dentist may not receive a reprimand, reporting the problem can help prevent other patients from having a nightmare experience with your dentist.

 

Best wishes for a progressive and thorough resolution.

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

Can Dental Crowns Be Replaced by or Covered with Veneers?

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If I have crowns on my two front teeth, will a dentist need to remove them for me to get porcelain veneers? I’m not sure how it will work, and I would like some ideas before I go to a dentist who wants to take off the crowns when it might not be necessary. I’m narrowing my list of dentists down to three, and I hope to meet with two of them within the next few weeks. Stacie from Boston

Stacie,

Thanks for your question.

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

Porcelain veneer

Porcelain veneers and porcelain crowns are made of the same material. But they differ in how much of the tooth they cover.

  • Porcelain crown – A dentist shaves the entire circumference of a tooth before placing a crown over it. You can’t leave the altered tooth uncovered, and you can’t use a porcelain veneer on it.
  • Porcelain veneer – It covers the front and sides of a tooth. Your dentist will lightly shave the fronts of your teeth to ensure the veneers fit well at your gumline and look natural, not bulky.

What About Covering a Dental Crown with a Veneer?

Some dentists will shave a dental crown and put a veneer over it. There are disadvantages of placing a veneer over a crown:

  • The veneer will be vulnerable and might fail, but a crown will last longer.
  • It doesn’t look as aesthetically pleasing as a new crown.
  • It takes the same amount of work as replacing the crown, and it doesn’t save money.

Select an Advanced Cosmetic Dentist

An advanced cosmetic dentist is concerned about aesthetics and your oral health. They will replace your two crowns, place veneers on your remaining teeth, and ensure they all match perfectly.

Select a dentist who is skilled in cosmetic dentistry and has training in the art—beyond dental school. Look for a smile gallery of patient photos on the dentist’s website. And read the dentist’s bio and look for indications of post-graduate training in dental aesthetics.

Should I Get Invisalign or Porcelain Veneers for a Gap?

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I’ll be 17 yrs old in June. What are the chances that a gap between my two front will close when my wisdom teeth come in? My dad can’t really afford Invisalign, so I hope I don’t need it. Can a gap close on its own? Also, do those rubber bands I see on YouTube close a gap? My friend said I would wait until I get a job and get veneers. What do you suggest? Thank you. Dixon from AL

Dixon – A gap or space between your teeth is called a diastema.

Will Invisalign Work for a Gap?

Several factors determine whether the gap will close after your wisdom teeth erupt. If not, Invisalign or another form of orthodontic treatment can help.

One factor is the size of the space between your teeth. If the gap is small, and your wisdom teeth can erupt completely, the space may close. But many people don’t have enough room in their mouth for wisdom teeth to fully erupt, so a gap needs to be closed by orthodontic treatment or cosmetic dentistry.

At times, tissue between the teeth—labial frenum—stretches from the upper lip to the gums and prevents the gap from closing. If the frenum prevents the gap from closing, a dentist or specialist must remove the tissue. Braces or Invisalign can close the gap.

What About Rubber Bands for a Tooth Gap?

Closing a gap between your teeth is not something you should try on your own. Do-it-yourself orthodontics, such as rubber bands, can incorrectly move your teeth, causing them to twist or leave spaces between your teeth that didn’t exist before.

Porcelain Veneers for a Tooth Gap

Photo of dental forceps holding a single porcelain veneers, from the office of accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Szarek of Lowell, MA.After your permanent teeth fully develop, a dentist can place porcelain veneers on front teeth to hide the gap between them. You can receive veneers in a few weeks, but it will take months—up to a year for braces to close a gap.

Look for an advanced cosmetic dentist to get high-quality veneers and results that look so professional that no one can tell you had dental work.

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