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Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

Will Porcelain Veneers Protect Teeth from Acid Reflux?

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I’m wondering if porcelain veneers can help teeth damaged from acid reflux. For the past two years, I’ve had bad acid reflux and heartburn. I’m always nauseous, and I vomit 3-4 times a week. When I move my tongue over the inside surfaces of my teeth, it feels very rough and grainy. And my teeth to anything hot or cold. Also, I have fillings on five teeth, and all of them are very sensitive. I’ve started drinking lukewarm water and eating lukewarm food. Will porcelain veneers protect my teeth from reflux? Thank you – Akshat from CT

Akshat,

The stomach acid that comes up when you vomit dissolves tooth enamel. That’s why your teeth feel rough and grainy. The extra sensitivity that seems to be in your five fillings is likely coming from teeth that are irritated by the acid.

What Can Resolve the Issue with Reflux and Your Teeth?

The best treatment is to get the acid reflux under control.

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

A veneer only covers the front and sides of a tooth

Your dentist can follow up with fluoride treatment to strengthen your teeth and decrease the sensitivity in your teeth.

Will Porcelain Veneers Protect Your Back Teeth from Reflux?

  • Porcelain veneers only cover the fronts and sides of your teeth. That means the backs of your teeth will still be exposed to stomach acid.
  • They are designed for the teeth that show when you smile—or your smile zone.
  • Although they are durable, they aren’t strong enough for back teeth and the forces of grinding and chewing food.

An Alternative to Porcelain Veneers

If your back teeth are damaged and the enamel is worn away, porcelain crowns can protect them. Visit a cosmetic dentist for an examination and digital x-rays. It will help determine if you need dental crowns—which is an aggressive treatment for teeth—or if fluoride treatment is enough to protect your teeth.

Minimizing the Effects of Reflux

  • Meanwhile, whenever you vomit from being nauseous, immediately rinse your mouth with water. It will dilute the acid that’s coming from your stomach.
  • Always keep water with you so you can quickly swish it in your mouth when you’re experiencing bouts of acid reflux.
  • Avoid spicy, greasy, and acidic foods and drinks.

Selecting the Right Dentist

A skilled cosmetic dentist produces natural-looking results with porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns. He or she will match the restorations to your natural teeth. And your cosmetic dentist will ensure your bite—or the way your teeth fit together—is healthy and won’t cause any discomfort. Look for an experienced—preferably accredited—cosmetic dentist.

 

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

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.

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.

3 Reasons Porcelain Veneers Can Lose Their Shine and How to Get the Gloss Back

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Have your porcelain veneers lost their shine? If your veneers are new, it’s unusual for them to lose their gloss. There are a few possible causes of the change in the appearance of your smile.

Dental Tools or Chemicals

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

Porcelain veneers are harder than tooth enamel

Porcelain veneers are harder than tooth enamel. A substance must be extremely abrasive to dull the gloss on your teeth. Although toothpaste is abrasive, it is unlikely to cause your veneers to lose their shine. But dental tools and chemicals can damage them. A hygienst who has been trained in how to care for porcelain veneers knows which instruments and substances to use.

Power polishing equipment – Dental hygienists use specific instruments, including the prophy jet, that will blast the glaze off veneers and cause them to dull.

Some fluoride treatment – Some fluoride contains hydrofluoric acid, which will etch porcelain, dull the surface of your veneers, and cause them to stain.

Your Veneers Might Not Be Porcelain at All

If your veneers are made of dental composite—not porcelain—they are much more likely to stain. Several substances will scratch composite, including:

  • Abrasive toothpaste – As you brush your teeth, the toothpaste will create tiny scratches on the composite, which attract stains.
  • Polishing pumice – At the end of professional dental cleaning, most hygienists use polishing pumice to make your teeth shine. The abrasive polish doesn’t harm tooth enamel, but it can scratch composite veneers.
  • Alcohol-based mouthwash – Alcohol softens dental composite and makes it easy to get scratched and stain.

How to Care for Your Porcelain Veneers

  • Brush them with a non-abrasive toothpaste, and floss between them.
  • Don’t use your teeth to bite or open hard objects.
  • Ensure you receive dental cleanings from a hygienist who is trained to care for porcelain veneers. He or she knows which dental tools to use—and which tools to avoid—to maintain the luster of your smile.
  • Visit a cosmetic dentist who will safely polish your veneers and give them a glossy shine.

What Can You Do If Your Veneers are Already Stained?

Schedule an appointment for an exam with an advanced cosmetic dentist to determine the cause of your dull porcelain veneers. Look at a few cosmetic dentist’s websites to read about their training and experience. You’ll receive the best results from an accredited cosmetic dentist.

A cosmetic dentist might be able to polish your veneers to improve their appearance. If not, he or she will explain your options. If your porcelain veneers are permanently damaged, they will need to be replaced to regain your bright smile.

This post is sponsored by accredited cosmetic dentist Michael Szarek, DMD. His Lowell, MA office is conveniently located near Dracut, Chelmsford, Tewksbury, Billerica, Pelham, Westford, and Andover.

4 Top Causes of Swollen Gums After Getting Porcelain Veneers

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

Porcelain veneers must be correctly bonded and placed

Are swollen gums detracting from your porcelain veneers and your smile? What’s causing the gum irritation? Some possibilities are listed below. And we’ll explain what you do about it.

1. Excess cement

When your porcelain veneers are bonded on, the dentist should clean off any excess before it hardens. Otherwise, it can get beneath your gumline and cause irritation and swelling. Dentists who don’t place a lot of porcelain veneers often fail to remove the excess cement. Advanced cosmetic dentists cure the cement in the middle of the tooth and remove the excess while it is still soft.

2. Wearing temporary veneers too long

If you wear temporary veneers for an extended period, it can cause gum irritation and inflammation. When your dentist removes the temporary veneers, the inflammation can make it difficult to bond on your porcelain veneers.

3. Messy margins

A dentist should precisely place veneers at your gumline. A fit that’s less than precise can irritate your gums, cause them to swell, and promote infection. If a veneer is too far away from your gumline, bacteria can leak in and cause infection. But if it is too far beneath your gumline, it will rub and cause irritation and inflammation.

4. Sensitivity or allergies

An allergy or sensitivity to porcelain is rare. But if you react to the dental ceramic, your gums can be irritated. Some patients choose to schedule an appointment with an allergist for testing.

What’s the solution?

Ask acquaintances or family members for a recommendation of a cosmetic dentist—preferably accredited—in your area. Otherwise, you can search online to find a cosmetic dentist. Look for his or her training, experience, and credentials in cosmetic dentistry. Schedule an appointment for a second opinion for an exam of your veneers and gumline.

A highly skilled cosmetic dentist will determine the cause of the irritation and explain your options.

This post is sponsored by Michael Szarek, DMD, an accredited cosmetic dentist in Lowell, MA. Dr. Szarek guarantees his work.