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Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

My porcelain veneers are way too white

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I hate my porcelain veneers because they are way too white. Nobody thinks they are my real teeth. People actually ask me if I am wearing veneers or something over my teeth because they are so white. It is embarrassing. I know that they are not my real teeth, but aren’t porcelain veneers supposed to look natural? This is much whiter than I thought my veneers would be.  The cosmetic dentist that placed them is not my regular dentist, but she insists that I approved the color. I asked her to remove them and send them back to her lab to have them darkened. She says that it’s too late to darken them. Is this true? I am disappointed that I am not being offered any alternatives for this problem. Thanks for your help. – Sunni

Sunni – After porcelain veneers are bonded to your teeth, no changes can be made to them. Even if the veneers were removed, the porcelain is color fast, and it cannot be changed.

Bonded veneers can’t be made darker or lighter. At this point, if you are able to prove that the color of veneers you received is not the color you approved, it may assist you in getting new veneers. You can consider tactfully asking your cosmetic dentist to compare the instructions on the color of your veneers that was sent to the lab with what was actually received. It is unfortunate, but at this point, the only way to receive more natural-looking veneers is to have them completely redone.

We hope that your cosmetic dentist will be willing to work with you to ensure that you get natural-looking veneers. If not, find another cosmetic dentist who will examine your teeth and veneers and let you know your options. An accredited cosmetic dentist is trained and skilled to product lifelike results.

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

Porcelain veneers or crowns for my worn teeth?

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My teeth are worn and discolored. I am going to make appointments with 2 different dentists to see what they recommend. I just need some direction before I see the dentists so I don’t get oversold or undersold. Should I go with one who recommends porcelain veneers or one who recommends porcelain crowns? Jon

Jon – A conservative, conscientious dentist will first examine your teeth to identify the cause of the wear and discoloration.

If the wear is caused by bruxism, or teeth grinding, that issue must be addressed first. Many patients who grind their teeth are not good candidates for porcelain veneers. The force on the teeth from grinding can fracture a veneer.

An experienced cosmetic dentist will recommend the most conservative treatment. If you do not grind your teeth, and if you have adequate healthy tooth structure, porcelain veneers are a more conservative treatment than porcelain crowns. Teeth are minimally prepared before the veneers are bonded to them. If preparation is required, only 0.5mm to 1mm of the enamel surface is removed. A disadvantage is that veneers cost more than crowns. Porcelain crowns require reducing the size of natural teeth so that crowns will fit over them. This is a process that reduces a significant amount of tooth structure, and it cannot be reversed.

It is possible that your smile can be rejuvenated with teeth whitening and dental composite. An artistic cosmetic dentist can manipulate composite to match the characteristics and translucence of your natural teeth. This is a minimally invasive treatment that will last for years if you take proper care of it. Some patients only require cosmetic contouring, which shapes the teeth to help them appear symmetrical and balanced.

When looking for dentists with whom you can have a consultation, we recommend that you find experienced cosmetic dentists who have artistic talent. A cosmetic dentist’s goal is to help you achieve a smile that is both healthy and beautiful. He or she may recommend one or more treatment options to help you achieve your goals for your smile. An examination and diagnostic studies are required to accurately inform you of your options.

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

My porcelain veneers are sliding down

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None of my 8 porcelain veneers have fallen off. I’m happy for that! I’ve read bad stories online about veneers coming completely off. My case is different. My veneers look like they are sliding down or maybe pulling away from my gums. I got the veneers in July ’14 so they are a little more than a year old. 3 of the 8 seem to be sliding down. My dentist took a look at them and said she will fill in the gap or margin. I am wondering what the chances are that this will be a repeat performance on the other 5 teeth. Also how often will I have to get this done or retouched? Is this normal? I have already asked my dentist all of these questions and she answered them, but I need a second opinion. When I got the veneers I wasn’t told about this possibility and the maintenance required on them. Thanks. Hope J.

Hope J. – It is not normal for new porcelain veneers to develop a gap at the margin. This problem is often due to improper bonding technique. Whether or not you will experience the issue with the other veneers depends on whether or not they were properly bonded.

If the restoration of the three veneers isn’t done properly, it may need to be repeated. Dr. Szarek would need to examine your teeth and veneers to determine why the gap is occurring and to let you know if you can expect the issue with your other veneers.

It’s good that you are asking questions now. We recommend that you schedule an appointment for an examination with an accredited cosmetic dentist in your area. The examination will provide you with accurate information on your veneers, what you can expect for the future, and how to avoid a recurring issue.

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

How do I find a cosmetic dentist for 3N no-prep veneers?

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I have been doing a lot of research on no prep veneers other than Lumineers. I wanted to have information on more than just one brand. I found out from an acquaintance on social media about 3N which I had never heard of. Now I know why because it doesn’t look like they are U.S. based. I found the 3N veneers website but I don’t see anything about how to find a 3N U.S. cosmetic dentist. I really like the way they look, much more so than Lumineers. How do I find a cosmetic dentist who uses 3N? Thanks. – Shona

Shona – Although 3N veneers are not familiar to us, through an Internet search, we found that 3N Veneers Limited is based in the United Kingdom. Other websites that reference the brand indicate that this brand of veneers is used in the Middle East.

Although we don’t have information on U.S. cosmetic dentists who use 3N, we can assure you that the results you get from porcelain veneers depend significantly on your choice of cosmetic dentist and his or her choice of laboratory to makes the veneers.

The laboratory that makes Lumineers is often criticized for the pasty, bulky look of the veneers. But the same results can occur with any other brand—unless you have a skilled, artistic cosmetic dentist who also uses an artistic master ceramist.

Dental patients get great results from porcelain veneers, not by choosing their own brand of porcelain veneers, but instead, by choosing an artistic dentist who knows what brands are best for your case. And who understands how to the manipulate color, translucency, and shape of the veneers to produce lifelike results.

Find a cosmetic dentist who is an artist. How? Start by locating an accredited cosmetic dentist. If there isn’t one in your area, find one who is a member of a cosmetic or aesthetic dentistry organization, and who is participates in on-going training. Check the dentist’s credentials. Schedule a consultation and ask to see before-and-after pictures of smile makeovers the dentist has completed. Let the dentist know your concerns about porcelain veneers and the smile you want to achieve. Watch and listen closely to how the dentist addresses your questions. Then you can decide if this is the dentist for you, or if you want to have a consultation with a second or third cosmetic dentist before making a decision on your provider.

It’s the artist in the dentist—not solely the brand he or she uses—that will produce beautiful results you want.

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

One of my veneers hurts

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I’ve had 8 porcelain veneers since May 2014. For the past 2 months or so, I’ve been feeling pain in one of the veneered teeth. I’ve had a dental appointment about it, and my dentist says that he doesn’t see a problem. What could be going on? Marci

Marci – The problem with the tooth can be due to a change in your bite. It is also possible that there is a problem with the tooth itself.

The pulp in the tooth may be infected and irritated. A closer examination is needed, and a diagnostic study—an x-ray may be required to identify the problem.

If necessary, the veneer can be removed and re-made. An infected tooth is addressed by a root canal treatment.

Ask your dentist to take another look at your tooth. You can also choose to receive a second opinion from another dentist. He or she will need to examine your tooth and perhaps perform an x-ray to identify the cause of the pain.

 

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