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Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

4 Challenges of Using Porcelain Veneers for Tetracycline Stains

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Concealing tetracycline stains in teeth is one of the most challenging issues a dentist will ever face. But a highly skilled cosmetic dentist can conceal the stains with porcelain veneers and provide natural-looking results.

What Causes Tetracycline Stains in Teeth?

The stains develop due to taking tetracycline, an antibiotic, during childhood while permanent teeth are forming. Grayish brown stains become deeply embedded in teeth and cause them to look very dark.

Why Is Concealing the Stains So Challenging?

Although the stains can be concealed with porcelain veneers, there are challenges:

  1. Natural teeth have translucency, and porcelain needs to have this same quality to look lifelike.
  2. Tetracycline stains can easily show through translucent veneers.
  3. In an effort to conceal tetracycline stains, a dentist or laboratory technician might make porcelain veneers too opaque. The result is chalky looking teeth.
  4. Due to lack of experience with concealing the stains, some dentists cover only the fronts of teeth. The dark color from the stains can be seen on the edges of teeth.

Achieving the Best Results with Porcelain Veneers

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

Skillful color manipulation is needed to provide natural-looking results. We recommend that you visit a dentist who is accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry or a dentist who can show you photographs of his or her own work on a patient’s teeth that had tetracycline stains.

Your treatment plan should include a try-in of the porcelain veneers before they are bonded to your teeth. Otherwise, you should request the try-in to ensure your investment is worthwhile and the results look natural. If you have any hesitation about the look of the veneers—if the tetracycline stains are showing through them—don’t accept them. The dentist and his or her laboratory need to ensure your veneers look natural.

A family dentist who is not skilled in aesthetics will likely offer you porcelain crowns to conceal tetracycline stains. But this treatment requires significant removal of tooth structure on every tooth that needs a crown. Porcelain veneers are more conservative, and a cosmetic dentist can produce beautiful results.

You can schedule consultations with at least two cosmetic dentists who will briefly look at your teeth and discuss the possibilities for concealing the tetracycline stains with porcelain veneers. A full exam will be needed to accurately explain your options and provide a treatment estimate.

This post is sponsored by Lowell, MA dentist Dr. Michael Szarek—an accredited member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

3 Factors to Consider if Your Porcelain Veneers Don’t Match

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Porcelain veneers are an investment in your smile. Teeth that are worn, crooked, misaligned, or discolored can be beautifully transformed with these thin wafers of porcelain. But what if you’ve been waiting to get your dream smile only to find that your porcelain veneers don’t match? Consider three factors before making a hasty decision.

1. Have They Been Bonded On?

If your porcelain veneers don’t match but have not been permanently bonded in place, stop. Don’t allow your dentist to bond them on. The try-in is your opportunity to let your dentist know whether or not you’re completely satisfied with your veneers.

Porcelain is colorfast, so the color can’t be changed. Once they have been bonded on, it’s too late. Before they are bonded, let your dentist know that you’re aware of the mismatch and you’re dissatisfied. The veneers should be removed and sent back to the laboratory to be remade. Don’t hesitate to let your dentist know there is a problem with your smile makeover.

2. Insist on a Match

Don’t let anyone convince you that the mismatch in color is okay or that you’ll get used to it. It won’t take long until you’re completely dissatisfied and looking for ways to get the off-color porcelain veneers removed and replaced. You paid for smile enhancements, so insist on a match. Settling for less will detract from your smile and become stressful as you find yourself hesitant to smile.

3. Get a Second Opinion

Photo of a porcelain veneer, which cannot be whitened, held against a natural tooth for Lowell, MA cosmetic dentist Dr. Szarek

Porcelain veneers cannot be lightened or darkened.

If you have given your dentist a reasonable amount of time to correct the veneers that don’t match but have not received positive results, it’s time for a second opinion. A true cosmetic dentist is an artist who knows how to manipulate porcelain so all veneers will match.

Schedule appointments with at least two cosmetic dentists—preferably accredited dentists—to examine your veneers. Unfortunately, your porcelain veneers will need to be replaced with new ones. An accredited cosmetic dentist will work with a master ceramist to produce beautiful veneers that match and make you feel confident—not embarrassed—about smiling.

It is possible that the dentist who originally placed your veneers will be willing to negotiate with you on the expense of having the veneers replaced.

This post is sponsored by Lowell, MA accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek. If you’ve received faulty cosmetic dentistry, schedule an appointment with Dr. Szarek for a consultation or an exam.

I don’t trust my dentist to polish my porcelain veneers

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2 of my porcelain veneers had small scratches in them, so my cosmetic dentist buffed them out. The scratches are gone, but so is the shine on the veneers. They look like they have a matte finish. I asked my dentist about the process he used, and he said he used a process called “cups” and then he polished the veneers. I’m really not satisfied with the look, because the 2 veneers are not shiny. But I’m also afraid that if I ask my dentist to do the correction he might make the situation worse. If I decide to keep the veneers as they are, will they eventually stain and need to be replaced? Thanks. Karyl

Karyl,

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

Porcelain veneer

The matte finish will make your porcelain veneers more susceptible to stain. Your veneers can be polished to restore their original gloss. A skilled cosmetic dentist knows the process and has the materials needed to correctly polish veneers.

Restoring Shine to Porcelain Veneers

Restoring the shine to previously scratched porcelain veneers requires the following tools and materials:

  • Diamond polishing instruments
  • Polishing paste
  • Ultra-fine diamond polishing paste

If your dentist placed your porcelain veneers, he should have these tools and materials in his office and be able to restore the glossy shine. Many skilled cosmetic dentists use the Brasseler’s Dialite porcelain polishing system to get highly aesthetic results.

If your dentist seems uncertain about how to restore the luster of your veneers, you can schedule a second opinion with an accredited cosmetic dentist to discuss your options.

This post is sponsored by Lowell, MA accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek

Porcelain Veneers Needed after Chemotherapy?

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I have two months of chemotherapy to complete after successful colon surgery. I’ve found a chemo side-effects fact sheet online, but it doesn’t say if my teeth will be affected. Will I need porcelain veneers or some other kind of cosmetic dentistry? Maybe I shouldn’t worry, but I’m concerned about the added expense of needing dental work. I’ve already incurred so many out-of-pocket expenses, and I want to know what to expect. Thanks, Gene.

Gene,

Chemotherapy can affect your teeth. But whether or not you will need porcelain veneers after treatment depends on several factors, including:

  • Length of your chemo treatment
  • The condition of your teeth before and after treatment
  • Whether or not other cosmetic dentistry options will be effective

Chemotherapy Can Affect Your Teeth

There are side effects of chemotherapy, such as vomiting and dry mouth that can affect your teeth. Dental problems increase with the length of the chemotherapy treatment.

  • The acid in your mouth – The acid from vomiting can erode tooth enamel and cause tooth decay. If chemotherapy causes you to vomit, you can neutralize the acid. Add ¼ teaspoon of baking soda to 8 ounces of warm water and rinse your mouth with the mixture. After 30 minutes, brush your teeth with an extra soft toothbrush.
  • Dry mouth – If the chemotherapy causes your mouth to be dry, the dryness can promote plaque and tooth decay. Keep your mouth moist throughout the day by chewing sugarless gum, sucking on sugar-free candy or ice chips, or by sipping water. Ask your dentist for prescription fluoride toothpaste to help prevent decay, and floss your teeth twice daily.
  • Other oral side effects – There are other oral side effects of chemotherapy. Speak with your dentist and your oncologist about the side effects and what can be done to preserve your teeth and oral health.

Will You Need Porcelain Veneers?

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

Porcelain veneer

We recommend that you speak with your dentist before you start chemotherapy. Let he or she know when you’ll start treatment. Your dentist will be able to anticipate your oral health needs and monitor the effects of treatment on your teeth.

If you need cosmetic work after you’ve finished chemotherapy, there might be alternatives to porcelain veneers. At times, chairside dental bonding can conceal signs of wear and discoloration on teeth. Dental bonding is less expensive than porcelain veneers. An experienced cosmetic dentist can produce beautiful results with bonding and make it blend seamlessly with your natural teeth. He or she will examine your teeth and let you know your options.

 

This post is sponsored by Lowell, MA accredited cosmetic dentist, Dr. Michael Szarek.

3 Things to Think About Before Getting Porcelain Veneers for a Teenager

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An increasing number of teenagers are self-conscious about their smile, even to the point of their investigating porcelain veneers for a smile makeover. In previous years, orthodontics was the primary concern for youths and their teeth, but in today’s world, many kids want more than just straight teeth—they want a celebrity smile. Peer pressure and concerns about their personal image are causing many teens to become interested in cosmetic dentistry. But are porcelain veneers a good option for teenagers?

Porcelain Veneers for Teenagers?

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 provide a beautiful smile makeover. Porcelain has a lifelike beauty that mimics natural teeth. But before you choose this treatment for yourself or your teenager, consider three factors that might make porcelain veneers a less-than-ideal choice for teenagers:

  • Physical development – Any brand of porcelain veneers is ideally placed after a child’s teeth and mouth have fully developed. If a child is still growing while the veneers are placed, they may fit well at first. But as teeth lengthen and the jawbone further develops, the gumline develops too. Eventually, there will be a visible gap between the gums and the edge of the veneers, and they won’t look natural. The veneers will need to be removed and replaced.
  • Permanence – Porcelain veneers are permanent. In most cases, before you receive them, a small amount of your tooth structure needs to be shaved to ensure the veneers fit closely to your gumline without irritating it. The preparation of your teeth also prevents the veneers from looking bulky. But after your teeth are prepared, the veneers can’t be removed if you change your mind and just want to go back to your natural teeth. You will either need new porcelain veneers or some other type of cosmetic treatment to cover and protect your teeth.
  • Cost – The cost of porcelain veneers is per tooth. If you want veneers to cover all of the upper teeth that show when you smile, you’ll need at least eight of them. Depending on where you live in the U.S., a single veneer can cost $1000-$1800 or more. Although veneers are permanent, if you’re only perhaps 16 years old, they will probably need to be replaced at least three more times throughout your life. Although cost isn’t a concern for everyone, most patients have a budget.

An Alternative to Porcelain Veneers

If you’re a teenager and have teeth that need cosmetic work, dental bonding might be the best choice for you. In the hands of a skilled cosmetic dentist, bonding can be manipulated to match the color and characteristics of your natural teeth. Bonding can enhance teeth in several ways:

  • Close gaps
  • Conceal chips
  • Conceal discoloration
  • Change the shape

Although bonding will wear and eventually need to be replaced, it is significantly less expensive than porcelain veneers. It is best to find an accredited cosmetic dentist to examine your teeth and recommend treatment that makes the most sense based on your age, the condition of your teeth, and your goals for your smile. When your growth is complete, porcelain veneers might be a good option to help you achieve the smile you want.

This post is sponsored by Lowell accredited cosmetic dentist, Dr. Michael Szarek.