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Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

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.

What to Expect With Porcelain Veneers on Front Teeth With Fillings

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I’ve decided to get veneers this summer, but I wonder what to expect on my two front teeth, which have fillings in them. Will veneers hold to teeth that have extensive fillings? Or should I consider another treatment? Thanks. Nadia from Bridgeport, CT

 

Nadia,

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 cosmetic dentist will use bonding that chemically compatible with the material in the fillings on your front teeth. The bonding material and the fillings in your teeth will unite and form a solid piece. But your before bonding veneers to your teeth, a cosmetic dentist will ensure that your fillings are stable and your teeth are healthy. Any issues with the health of your teeth will be resolved first.

Select an Advanced Cosmetic Dentist

A cosmetic dentist’s skill determines how well he or she bonds your porcelain veneers to your teeth.

  • Look for a dentist with advanced post-graduate training in esthetics.
  • Ask the dentist how many porcelain veneers he or she has completed.
  • Try to find an accredited cosmetic dentist. To achieve accreditation, a dentist must complete rigorous exams and submit successful patient cases that represent the dentist’s skill.

What to Expect with a Porcelain Veneers

Cosmetic dentists who are artists will work closely with you to give you the smile you’ve envisioned.

  • You’ll co-design your smile makeover.
  • Your dentist will show you a virtual version of your smile makeover.
  • You’ll try on a wax model of your new smile and wear temporary veneers.
  • Your dentist will adjust the temporaries to match your smile goals.
  • After you approve your new smile, your dentist will securely bond the veneers to your teeth.

Are Veneers the Right Solution?

Whether or not you should select another form of cosmetic dentistry depends on your teeth’s health and appearance and what you want to accomplish. Sometimes composite bonding is a solution, or a dentist might recommend a combination of treatments. Request a consultation to learn about your options before requesting a specific procedure like porcelain veneers.

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

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.