Porcelain veneers Archives - Lowell Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Can I Bypass Tooth Preparation for Porcelain Veneers?

Posted on December 20, 2024 by AllSmiles.

I have dental anxiety and am concerned about the pain of preparing my teeth. Do no-prep veneers work only for people with small teeth? If I can find a way to get veneers without the pain of tooth preparation, I would be relieved. – Thank you. Jada from Nashville

Jada,

We will begin by answering a question that many people have about porcelain veneers. This can give you a positive view of the process even if your teeth require preparation for healthy, natural-looking results.

Do Porcelain Veneers Hurt?

Porcelain veneer

Quality, correctly placed porcelain veneers do not hurt. However, it takes the skill of an advanced cosmetic dentist to ensure you are comfortable before you begin treatment. A local anesthetic will give you a painless experience. Then, the dentist will prepare your teeth conservatively—removing only a fraction of a millimeter of tooth enamel—and avoid any layers beneath the enamel that may provoke sensitivity.

Are No-Prep Veneers Only for Small Teeth?

No-prep veneers are not only for small teeth. Still, not every porcelain veneer case is eligible for no preparation. A cosmetic dentist customizes your treatment plan based on your goals for your smile. Sometimes, achieving natural-looking results and veneers that fit well from the biting edge to the gumline requires preparation. Factors that determine whether your teeth require preparation for porcelain veneers include:

Your smile goals
Whether teeth overlap
Teeth position
Size
Shape
Teeth alignment

Although some brands of porcelain veneers are advertised as requiring no preparation, skilled cosmetic dentists work to provide highly aesthetic results. For example, if a tooth is crooked, a portion of it may stick out. A cosmetic dentist will trim it to harmonize with the position of other teeth. At the end of treatment, people will notice your beautiful, natural-looking smile and not know you have porcelain veneers.

Do You Have Dental Anxiety?

Consult an advanced cosmetic dentist if you have dental anxiety and are interested in porcelain veneers. In addition to explaining your options for veneers, the dentist will listen to understand your anxiety triggers. The dental team will try to avoid your anxiety triggers and enjoy the experience of getting a smile makeover with porcelain veneers.

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

My Temp Veneers for Front Teeth Have Humps at the Top

Posted on September 17, 2024 by AllSmiles.

I’m currently in the process of getting porcelain veneers replaced for my two center front teeth. It’s been a challenge for me and my dentist. I originally had bonding on these teeth, which my dentist replaced with veneers. Unfortunately, those veneers felt too bulky, making it difficult to close my mouth comfortably.

My new dentist tried bonding again, but the results looked amateurish. She suggested a new set of porcelain veneers to create a more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing smile. She’s already prepped my teeth for the new veneers.

My question is, do all veneers for front teeth have a noticeable hump at the top? Most veneers have this, but I’ve noticed a smoother transition with Durathins. Right now, I’m wearing temporaries, and while they look okay, they still have that unwanted hump. I’m concerned and don’t want to move forward. – Thanks Meghan from RI

Meghan,

We understand your concerns.

It sounds like you’re having a frustrating experience with your dental veneers. It’s completely understandable to want a natural-looking, comfortable smile. A well-placed veneer should seamlessly blend with natural teeth without unsightly humps or irregularities.

A skilled cosmetic dentist should be able to create a beautiful, functional smile without compromising aesthetics. If your current dentist doesn’t meet your expectations, consider a second opinion from an experienced cosmetic dentist.

Porcelain veneers after photo of a woman's smile that was restored by Lowell, MA accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Szarek.

Smooth, well-formed porcelain veneers from Dr. Szarek and his ceramist

Before committing to the final veneers, your dentist must schedule a try-in appointment so you can see how they will look and feel. Skilled cosmetic dentists adjust the veneers until you are delighted with the result.

Don’t hesitate to voice your concerns and expectations to your dentist. A good dentist will listen to your feedback and work with you to achieve the smile you desire.

Lowell, Massachusetts, accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek sponsors this post. Read how Dr. Szarek strives to give his patients the best dental care in Lowell.

Why Are My Gums Inflamed Around My Porcelain Veneers?

Posted on March 15, 2024 by AllSmiles.

My gums are inflamed around all four of my four-month-old veneers. I have no inflammation over my teeth without veneers. My dentist’s assistant said it must be because I don’t floss, but that’s not true. My gums burn some and stay inflamed. I saw my dentist last week, and she removed some cement around the veneers and smoothed some rough surfaces behind my teeth. It helped somewhat.

I would like to know what to do next and what could have happened during my veneer placement to cause puffy gums. My dentist didn’t seem too concerned. Last week, I saw a periodontist who said my gums are healthy, so something else must be causing the inflammation. Thanks. Lyla

Lyla,

Most patients who work in cosmetic dentistry are conscientious about taking care of their teeth. We understand how frustrating it can be when you brush and floss as instructed but are blamed for problems with your cosmetic dentistry restorations. Although we can’t identify the cause of your gum inflammation without an exam, we can explain some possibilities.

Why Are Your Gums Inflamed Around Your Veneers?

When your gums are inflamed around your veneers, the most likely cause is excess cement left around the veneers. The cement can get beneath your gumline and irritate it. Cosmetic dentists who regularly place porcelain veneers cure the cement in the middle of the tooth and clean off the excess to prevent overflow around your porcelain veneers.

Porcelain veneers should not cause gum inflammation

If your dentist removed some cement during your follow-up visit, the cement may still be causing inflammation.

Margin irregularity

Margin irregularity is unevenness where the porcelain veneers and teeth meet. Although a periodontist said your gums look healthy, they are inflamed. You will get a better diagnosis from a cosmetic dentist who is not associated with the dental practice you have visited.

Porcelain veneer position

If your veneers are too far under your gumline they can reach the gingival attachment and cause inflammation.

Sensitivity to porcelain veneers

Although porcelain veneers rarely provoke a reaction, some patients experience sensitivity.

Schedule a consultation with an experienced cosmetic dentist for a second opinion on whether your gum inflammation relates to your new veneers.

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

Should I Get Veneers or Invisalign for Overbite?

Posted on December 11, 2023 by AllSmiles.

My dentist is referring me to an orthodontist for mild overbite correction with Invisalign. As I asked, she said she could not do porcelain veneers because it wouldn’t work. She said the only option is to do porcelain crowns on my six front teeth instead of veneers. I do not want my teeth ground down for crowns. My other concern is tetracycline stains on my teeth. I am not sure how the stains would get resolved with just orthodontics. Are there options other than what my dentist knows about? Thank you. – Leigha

Leigha,

You are wise to decline crowns on your front upper teeth. A skilled cosmetic dentist can place veneers and confine the work to the fronts of your teeth to soften mild overbite and conceal tetracycline stains. Severe overbite requires orthodontics. Your dentist’s options of orthodontic treatment or all crowns imply that she is uncomfortable using porcelain veneers for your procedure. Skilled cosmetic dentists do not decline to do veneers because of mild overbite.

Should You Get Veneers or Invisalign for Overbite?

After an exam and X-rays, a skilled cosmetic dentist can determine whether you can benefit from porcelain veneers or Invisalign for an overbite. Mild overbite cases can benefit from porcelain veneers, but a dentist may recommend orthodontics for severe cases.

Will Invisalign Correct Overbite?

Invisalign will correct an overbite. If you prefer orthodontics to straighten your teeth, an experienced Invisalign provider or orthodontist can do it.

Dental Crowns for Six Front Teeth

Getting dental crowns for six front teeth has some disadvantages.

Grinds away healthy teeth – If your teeth are healthy, your dentist will grind away tooth structure to place crowns over them. And if your dentist is trying to correct overbite with crowns, a significant amount of tooth structure will be gone.
Does not complete your smile – Eight to twelve teeth show when you smile, so crowns for six teeth will still leave teeth on either side dark from tetracycline stains.

Concealing Tetracycline Stains

Porcelain veneers can conceal mild overbite and tetracycline stains

A skilled cosmetic dentist and ceramist can craft porcelain veneers to conceal tetracycline stains. However, this requires advanced training and knowledge of manipulating color and translucence without making the veneers look pasty.

Many experienced cosmetic dentists successfully treat tetracycline stains with in-office whitening and porcelain veneers. It may be possible to improve your tooth color with bleaching and correct your overbite with Invisalign, but stay away from a dentist who wants to grind down your teeth from crowns.

Get a Second Opinion

We recommend that you find an expert cosmetic dentist for a consultation. After examining your teeth, the dentist will discuss your options.

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

Should My Porcelain Veneers Still Hurt?

Posted on October 14, 2023 by AllSmiles.

My porcelain veneers hurt, and I want them removed. I got them in early September, and all eight veneers still hurt. I take ibuprofen twice daily – in the morning before work, then six hours later. I know ibuprofen isn’t good for my stomach, but my dentist seems clueless. He examined the veneers and my teeth and asked me to be patient because the veneers would become more comfortable. How long will it take for the pain to go away? And why didn’t anyone tell me that porcelain veneers hurt for weeks after you got them? Thanks. Dehlia for IN

Dehlia,

Should Your Porcelain Veneers Still Hurt?

Porcelain veneers should look natural and be comfortable

Porcelain veneers should not hurt. Although you may experience sensitivity in your teeth after getting veneers, the sensitivity should not linger. Still, the veneers should not hurt. You’ve experienced symptoms for over a month, which is unusual, so we recommend scheduling an exam with an advanced cosmetic dentist.

A cosmetic dentist must examine your teeth and veneers to determine the cause of your discomfort and how to alleviate it. Perhaps the dentist aggressively prepared your teeth by shaving away too much tooth enamel, or you may have tooth infections.

Can You Remove Porcelain Veneers and Return to Natural Teeth?

After a dentist prepares your teeth for porcelain veneers, you cannot have them removed and return to your natural teeth, which would increase sensitivity. You will need some type of cosmetic dentistry to protect your teeth, and veneers are less invasive than dental crowns.

Without an exam and X-rays, we will not guess what is causing your pain, so promptly make an appointment with a skilled cosmetic dentist. The dentist will explain your options for getting relief.

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