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Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

I thought porcelain veneers didn’t stain

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Well, my porcelain veneers are stained. And they are only two years old. I am not finished paying for them yet. Should I stop payments until my dentist figures out what is going wrong? – Thank you. Monica from NJ

Monica,

Thank you for choosing our office to ask your question.

Porcelain veneers are stain resistant. Although Dr. Szarek would need to examine your veneers and teeth, we can discuss several factors that can cause stains as an exception.

What Causes Porcelain Veneers to Stain?

Porcelain veneers might stain if the surface is damaged or a gap exists between your veneer and your tooth. We will discuss why either might occur.

Porcelain veneer surface damage

When a dental hygienist cleans your teeth and mistakenly uses power polishing equipment on your veneers, the glaze can crack. Your veneers would be at risk for attracting stains. Or, if someone in the dental office uses acidulated fluoride on your veneers, tiny scratches will form. And your veneers can stain.

Gap between the veneer and the tooth

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

Porcelain veneers are stain resistant unless they are damaged or placed incorrectly

If you notice stains on the sides of your teeth, a dentist might have left a tiny gap where the porcelain and your teeth meet. The gap can allow bacteria in, and your teeth or veneers can stain. Your dentist will need to check for areas of bonding composite near those gaps and polish them to smooth them away. Ultra-fine polishing strips and ultra-fine or fine aluminum oxide polishing paste will help your dentist smooth the area.

Schedule an Appointment with a Cosmetic Dentist

Any accumulated stain on porcelain veneers is usually minor. So if you notice stains, schedule an appointment right away. If the glaze on your veneers is damaged or a gap exists between the veneers and your teeth, a cosmetic dentist can correct it. But it is essential to see a dentist soon to prevent it from getting worse.

 

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

Tetracycline stains and chipped dental bonding

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My dentist covered my tetracycline stains with dental bonding five years ago. Now the bonding is dull and starting to chip. I searched the cost of porcelain veneers and even found some online price ranges on dental websites. But I cannot afford veneers. Is there a way to whiten the bonding, or will I have to replace it all? I’m at a new dentist now (since last year), and I would like to know my options before they try to upsell me. Thank you. Fatu from Boston

Fatu,

Thank you for your inquiry. We will provide some information about tetracycline stains and your cosmetic dentistry options.

What Causes Tetracycline Stains in Teeth?

Tetracycline stains develop if you take the antibiotic as a child while your permanent teeth are forming. As a result, deposits in your tooth dentin (layer beneath the enamel) will show up as brown or gray spots or stripes in your teeth.

Treating Tetracycline Stains

An advanced cosmetic dentist can treat tetracycline stains with bleaching treatment, dental bonding, porcelain veneers, or a combination of treatments. But do not try to treat tetracycline stains at home. It can make the stains look even more noticeable.

Dental Bonding for Tetracycline Stains

If you already have dental bonding on your teeth for tetracycline stains, a skilled cosmetic can improve your teeth with these steps:

  • Use sandpaper discs to remove the old bonding
  • Whiten your teeth with a potent bleaching system
  • Apply dental bonding as needed

Dental bonding lasts several years before it needs to be touched up or replaced.

Teeth Whitening

Depending on the severity of the tetracycline stains in your teeth, a dentist may be able to use teeth whitening only to improve the stains. You must use the product as directed. Over-the-counter teeth whitening is not strong enough to affect tetracycline stains, so don’t waste your money on it.

Porcelain Veneers

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

Advanced cosmetic dentists skillfully use porcelain veneers to hid tetracycline stains

An advanced cosmetic dentist knows how to maintain porcelain’s translucence and hide tetracycline stains. Unfortunately, most general or family dentists do not have advanced cosmetic dentistry training. So although they can give you veneers, they might look chalky or pasty if your dentist doesn’t understand how to provide you with natural-looking results.

What If You Cannot Afford a Cosmetic Dentist?

If you cannot afford a cosmetic dentist, we recommend that you start saving money to get one. An expert cosmetic dentist can replace dental bonding or give you beautiful porcelain veneers. But if you are hasty and get cheap dental bonding, you will need to replace it so often that you will likely wish you had waited until you could afford quality work.

Meanwhile, you can schedule a consultation with an advanced or accredited cosmetic dentist to discuss your options. Then you will have a better idea of how to budget for your smile makeover. And you can learn about payment options to make it affordable.

 

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

 

My new porcelain veneers look old after 5 months

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In September, a well-known cosmetic dentist in a community about 50 miles away placed 8 porcelain veneers on my upper front teeth. I love my new smile because it looks natural and better than my teeth. Last week I noticed that my smile doesn’t look as glossy as when I first got the veneers. It looks like my veneers are beginning to have a matte finish. I’ve tried different toothpaste brands, but it’s not working. I’m afraid that I have done something wrong, although I was trying to be diligent about taking care of my veneers. My workload has increased since Covid, and due to the distance of the cosmetic dentist’s office, I’m unable to see her until mid-February. Can my dentist restore the luster of my veneers? Is there something I should do or avoid at home until my appointment? Thank you. Darren from CT

Darren,

You were fortunate to find a cosmetic dentist who gave you a natural-looking smile. Although Dr. Szarek would need to examine your veneers to determine why they are losing their luster, we’ll review two possible reasons.

Why Might New Porcelain Veneers Lose Their Gloss?

New porcelain veneers might lose their gloss or luster due to dental equipment that damages the glaze or because you received composite veneers instead of porcelain.

Damage to porcelain veneers

Although porcelain is denser than tooth enamel, a potent abrasive can damage the glaze and make your veneers look dull. Toothpaste alone would not make your veneers lose their gloss within five months.

  • Power polishing equipment – A hygienist must be trained to care for porcelain veneers. Otherwise, if they use power polishing equipment (e.g., Prophy Jet) on your veneers, it will blast away the glaze. Your veneers will look dull or look like they have a matte finish.
  • Acidulated fluoride – If a hygienist uses fluoride that contains hydrofluoric acid, it will etch the porcelain. Your veneers will look dull and more easily pick up stains.

Type of veneers you received

Although porcelain veneers are limited in how they can be damaged, composite veneers are not as durable. Composite is softer than tooth structure. Abrasive toothpaste, pumice polishing at the dentist, or alcohol-based mouthwash can cause composite veneers to lose their gloss or luster. If you received composite veneers, they will lose their gloss over time. And if you use the abrasive products mentioned, it will accelerate the loss of luster on composite.

Can Your Dentist Restore the Shine on Your Porcelain Veneers?

Yes, an advanced cosmetic dentist can restore the gloss on your porcelain veneers with these steps:

  • Polish your veneers with diamond polishing instruments and polishing paste
  • Finish with ultra-fine diamond polishing paste

Michael Szarek, DMD, an accredited cosmetic dentist in Lowell, MA, sponsors this post. Dr. Szarek’s office is convenient to Dracut, Pelham, Andover, Wilmington, Burlington, and Windham.

Before-and-after porcelain veneers photos from Massachusetts accredited cosmetic dentist Michael Szarek, DMD

Before-and-after porcelain veneers photos from accredited cosmetic dentist Michael Szarek, DMD

Straight teeth after Invisalign but jagged edges like a zipper

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I knew braces would straighten my teeth vertically, but I guess I didn’t think about their shape overall. The edges of my teeth are jagged like a zipper. After 18 months of Invisalign, I still need dental work on my teeth. I was negligent about wearing Invisalign, so my treatment is lasting longer than normal. I still have two months of Invisalign left, but now I’m concerned about having zipper-edged teeth. Will I need porcelain veneers to even out my teeth horizontally? – Thanks. Cliff

Cliff,
Although porcelain veneers create beautiful smile makeovers, they are too aggressive for evening your teeth in your case. There is an alternative for contouring your teeth without preparing—or lightly shaving—to the extent that porcelain veneers require.

What Is Enameloplasty or Cosmetic Contouring?

Enameloplasty or cosmetic contouring is the process of removing a small amount of tooth enamel to change the length, shape, or size of a tooth. Enameloplasty is limited to your tooth enamel. And after reshaping your teeth, your dentist polishes them to a natural gloss. Tooth enamel doesn’t contain nerves, so the procedure is painless. And it only lasts a few minutes. Other names for the procedure are odontoplasty or tooth shaving.

Who Completes the Procedure?

If your teeth require minor reshaping, your orthodontist might complete the procedure to finish your teeth. If more Is involved, it’s unlikely that a family dentist will achieve highly aesthetic results. We recommend that you visit a dentist with post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry. An accredited cosmetic dentist will produce natural-looking results that enhance your smile.

What About Cosmetic Bonding?

Before-and-after composite boning photos

Composite bonding

In some cases, a cosmetic dentist skillfully uses cosmetic bonding to fill in the sides of teeth. In the case to the right, edges of the teeth were evened and cosmetic bonding filled in the sides.

Best wishing for completing Invisalign treatment and giving your smile a gorgeous finish.

Micahel 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.