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Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

My new porcelain veneers look old after 5 months

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In September, a well-known cosmetic dentist in a community about 50 miles away placed 8 porcelain veneers on my upper front teeth. I love my new smile because it looks natural and better than my teeth. Last week I noticed that my smile doesn’t look as glossy as when I first got the veneers. It looks like my veneers are beginning to have a matte finish. I’ve tried different toothpaste brands, but it’s not working. I’m afraid that I have done something wrong, although I was trying to be diligent about taking care of my veneers. My workload has increased since Covid, and due to the distance of the cosmetic dentist’s office, I’m unable to see her until mid-February. Can my dentist restore the luster of my veneers? Is there something I should do or avoid at home until my appointment? Thank you. Darren from CT

Darren,

You were fortunate to find a cosmetic dentist who gave you a natural-looking smile. Although Dr. Szarek would need to examine your veneers to determine why they are losing their luster, we’ll review two possible reasons.

Why Might New Porcelain Veneers Lose Their Gloss?

New porcelain veneers might lose their gloss or luster due to dental equipment that damages the glaze or because you received composite veneers instead of porcelain.

Damage to porcelain veneers

Although porcelain is denser than tooth enamel, a potent abrasive can damage the glaze and make your veneers look dull. Toothpaste alone would not make your veneers lose their gloss within five months.

  • Power polishing equipment – A hygienist must be trained to care for porcelain veneers. Otherwise, if they use power polishing equipment (e.g., Prophy Jet) on your veneers, it will blast away the glaze. Your veneers will look dull or look like they have a matte finish.
  • Acidulated fluoride – If a hygienist uses fluoride that contains hydrofluoric acid, it will etch the porcelain. Your veneers will look dull and more easily pick up stains.

Type of veneers you received

Although porcelain veneers are limited in how they can be damaged, composite veneers are not as durable. Composite is softer than tooth structure. Abrasive toothpaste, pumice polishing at the dentist, or alcohol-based mouthwash can cause composite veneers to lose their gloss or luster. If you received composite veneers, they will lose their gloss over time. And if you use the abrasive products mentioned, it will accelerate the loss of luster on composite.

Can Your Dentist Restore the Shine on Your Porcelain Veneers?

Yes, an advanced cosmetic dentist can restore the gloss on your porcelain veneers with these steps:

  • Polish your veneers with diamond polishing instruments and polishing paste
  • Finish with ultra-fine diamond polishing paste

Michael Szarek, DMD, an accredited cosmetic dentist in Lowell, MA, sponsors this post. Dr. Szarek’s office is convenient to Dracut, Pelham, Andover, Wilmington, Burlington, and Windham.

Before-and-after porcelain veneers photos from Massachusetts accredited cosmetic dentist Michael Szarek, DMD

Before-and-after porcelain veneers photos from accredited cosmetic dentist Michael Szarek, DMD

Straight teeth after Invisalign but jagged edges like a zipper

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I knew braces would straighten my teeth vertically, but I guess I didn’t think about their shape overall. The edges of my teeth are jagged like a zipper. After 18 months of Invisalign, I still need dental work on my teeth. I was negligent about wearing Invisalign, so my treatment is lasting longer than normal. I still have two months of Invisalign left, but now I’m concerned about having zipper-edged teeth. Will I need porcelain veneers to even out my teeth horizontally? – Thanks. Cliff

Cliff,
Although porcelain veneers create beautiful smile makeovers, they are too aggressive for evening your teeth in your case. There is an alternative for contouring your teeth without preparing—or lightly shaving—to the extent that porcelain veneers require.

What Is Enameloplasty or Cosmetic Contouring?

Enameloplasty or cosmetic contouring is the process of removing a small amount of tooth enamel to change the length, shape, or size of a tooth. Enameloplasty is limited to your tooth enamel. And after reshaping your teeth, your dentist polishes them to a natural gloss. Tooth enamel doesn’t contain nerves, so the procedure is painless. And it only lasts a few minutes. Other names for the procedure are odontoplasty or tooth shaving.

Who Completes the Procedure?

If your teeth require minor reshaping, your orthodontist might complete the procedure to finish your teeth. If more Is involved, it’s unlikely that a family dentist will achieve highly aesthetic results. We recommend that you visit a dentist with post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry. An accredited cosmetic dentist will produce natural-looking results that enhance your smile.

What About Cosmetic Bonding?

Before-and-after composite boning photos

Composite bonding

In some cases, a cosmetic dentist skillfully uses cosmetic bonding to fill in the sides of teeth. In the case to the right, edges of the teeth were evened and cosmetic bonding filled in the sides.

Best wishing for completing Invisalign treatment and giving your smile a gorgeous finish.

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

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.