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Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

Why do porcelain veneers turn gray?

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In June last year I got 8 porcelain veneers on my front teeth. 3 of the 8 veneers are light gray. I noticed the color change in October but it was so slight I was wondering if it was the lighting in my bathroom. Two Thursdays ago I looked because the sun outside was bright and I took a close look in the rearview mirror of my car. I asked my sister to look at them too and she agrees that the same three teeth are gray. I didn’t tell her what was wrong with veneers. I just asked her to look at them and she noticed the exact problem that I have seen. Last week I had an appointment with the dentist who did my veneers. My regular dentist doesn’t do them, so she referred me to someone else. This dentist is a cosmetic dentist. When I returned to him, he said that the 3 teeth must be darker than the others so he needs to make the veneers thicker. I’m not sure he knows what he is talking about. I’m wondering isn’t this something he should have taken into account before he had the veneers made. Can I trust him to do the replacements?  Also, why do porcelain veneers turn gray? Thanks for your help. Connie

Connie,

Your cosmetic dentist clearly lacks the skill to give you porcelain veneers that have the right color and translucence. If he provides you with thicker veneers, they will look thicker than your other teeth. That’s not the solution. Any dentist can claim to be a cosmetic dentist, but a true cosmetic dentist would know how to determine why your veneers are turning gray and what to do about it.

What’s a true cosmetic dentist? It’s a dentist who has received extensive, hands-on training in cosmetic dentistry and who has experience in the art. He or she has an artistic inclination to produce beautiful results. Your work was done by a cosmetic dentist in name only.

We suggest that you not leave the replacement of your porcelain veneers in the hands of the dentist who originally placed them. Look for a cosmetic dentist with several years of post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry. If you can find an accredited cosmetic dentist, that’s even better.

Why Do Porcelain Veneers Turn Gray?

Porcelain veneers don’t turn gray unless there is a problem. Consider a few possibilities:

  • Some of your natural teeth might be dark, and they weren’t properly prepared before the veneers were placed, or the veneers weren’t design to conceal them. Your new cosmetic dentist will want to examine your natural teeth and determine if some of them really are darker than the others. If so, bleaching might help. Otherwise, the dark teeth might require careful preparation to lighten their appearance before the veneers are placed. A skilled cosmetic dentist will work with a ceramist to produce porcelain that conceals the darkness and still looks natural.
  • There might be micro-leakage beneath the veneers. When veneers aren’t properly bonded, food or drink can seep behind them and cause discoloration. In this case, they will have an uneven gray color. It also promotes a buildup of bacteria and can cause tooth decay. In either case, an expert cosmetic dentist can identify the problem and resolve it.
  • There might be a problem with the glaze of the veneers. The veneers might not have been glazed at all, they might have been improperly glazed, or the glaze might be damaged.

Schedule a consultation with one or two accredited cosmetic dentists to help you decide which provider will restore your smile.

 

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

 

 

Do I really need to replace all of my crowns so they match?

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I have 8 crowns on my top front teeth that are 17 years old. I know that I am fortunate that they lasted so long, so no complaints here. One of the left canine crowns is lose. I am worried that it will come off. I saw my dentist and he said rather than replacing one crown he really needs to replace them all. I went into the office expecting to have the one tooth fixed, but not needing a new crown on every tooth. Do I really need to have all of the crowns replaced at the same time? Do they all need to be replaced anyway? Thank you. Anita

 

Anita – One lose crown doesn’t mean that all of your crowns need to be replaced. In general, it might be easier for a dentist to ensure the crowns match by replacing them all, but a skilled cosmetic dentist can perfectly match the replacement crown.

If you’ve had crowns for 17 years, it might be time to replace them. A cosmetic dentist will need to measure your crowns at the margin, their overall condition, and your bite to determine if they are wearing out. If any part of your natural teeth is exposed due to wear from the crowns, tooth decay can occur.

Another consideration is the color of your crowns. If they look worn, or if you want a brighter smile, eventually all of your crowns will need to be replaced. If you want a whiter smile and only replace one crown at a time, keep in mind that your new crowns will be noticeably whiter than the others.

It’s more affordable to receive crowns in phases, but the crowned teeth won’t match until all of the work is done.

Speak with your current dentist and with two accredited cosmetic dentists. An accredited cosmetic dentist has extensive post-graduate training in designing smiles that look completely natural.Let each dentist know your goals for your smile and find out how treatment can be made affordable for you. Remember that an examination is required to determine the condition of your crowns and teeth. Each dentist should let you know your options. Compare your options and decide which dentist you want to replace your crowns.

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

Can porcelain veneers be placed over old composite?

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I have 2 teeth that have a lot composite in them. I lost part of each tooth in an accident. I don’t like the way the composite wears over time and it never really matched my teeth, so I asked my dentist about veneers. He said that crowns will be better. I really want veneers and I am thinking about switching dentists to get it done. Can I get veneers over the composite? Thanks. Stephanie M.

Stephanie – The answer for whether or not porcelain veneers should be used over composite depends on each individual’s case.

You mentioned that you have a lot of composite in your teeth. If a tooth is at least half composite, it can break. Placing a porcelain crown over the tooth, instead of putting veneers on it will protect it from breaking off. The crown will also protect the tooth from decay.

The location of the composite is also a consideration in determining the most effective treatment. If the composite is on the front of each tooth, then trimming the composite and placing porcelain veneers on your teeth can produce excellent results.

You are considering the possibility of going to another dentist, so consider getting a second opinion from an experienced cosmetic dentist—if possible, an accredited cosmetic dentist. He or she will be able to determine which treatment is best for your case. Also, a skilled cosmetic dentist can perfectly blend and manipulate composite to match the translucence, color, and characteristics of your natural teeth. An experienced cosmetic dentist will be produce beautiful results with replacing the composite, or providing you with porcelain crowns or porcelain veneers.

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

What would a cosmetic dentist do for buck teeth?

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I have buck teeth that I have always hated. Now I can do something about it but I want it done quickly. I don’t want a slow track with braces. In Feb. I will be 32 yrs old and being in braces for years is not something that interests me at all. I can deal with a month of cosmetic dentistry to make it all go away and look like I have a new smile. It’s worth whatever it costs to me to find the best cosmetic dentist around to get the work done right. What I am not sure of is what treatment will be recommended. What do cosmetic dentists do for buck teeth and on average how long does it take? Thanks! London M.

London – When a patient has overbite or overjet, a cosmetic dentist will recommend orthodontic treatment. If you are totally against metal braces, low-profile clear braces or Invisalign will be recommended.

Cosmetic dentistry in the form of porcelain crowns or porcelain veneers will make the color or shape of your teeth look better, but they won’t correct protruding teeth. You will need orthodontic treatment. The good news is that today’s orthodontics has ways of reducing treatment time. Products like Invisalign move teeth more efficiently, and the process can be accelerated with special appliances.

If your cosmetic dentist doesn’t provide Invisalign, he or she can refer you to an orthodontist. After your teeth are aligned, your cosmetic dentist can whiten them and further enhance their appearance with dental bonding, porcelain veneers, or porcelain crowns.

So an experienced cosmetic dentist is a good place to start. Discuss your goals for your smile, and he or she will develop a treatment plan for you to reach them.

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

Can a dental bridge for front teeth look good?

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I have a central incisor and a lateral incisor that are missing. I know that dental implants are my best option but I just can’t afford them this year. I want something else that looks natural. Can I dental bridge for front teeth look good or will I have to settle for it looking okay? Todd W.

Todd – The restoration of front teeth with a dental bridge is straightforward. The challenge comes in producing natural-looking results. You can get beautiful results from a skilled cosmetic dentist who has an artistic approach.

A dental bridge requires that the natural teeth on either side of the missing ones be filed down to accommodate the bridge. The natural teeth will have dental crowns placed over them, which will serve as anchors for the bridge. The replacement teeth will be suspended between the crowned natural teeth.

An experienced cosmetic dentist can provide you with a porcelain bridge that will perfectly match your natural teeth. If you have ever considered having your teeth whitened, it should be done before you receive the bridge. A dental bridge is made to match the color of your natural teeth. If you teeth are whitened after you receive the bridge, your natural teeth will be whiter than the bridge.

Your cosmetic dentist will discuss your goals for your smile and help you plan accordingly. He or she has a master ceramist who manipulates dental porcelain to match the color, translucency, and characteristics of your natural teeth. The results are lifelike.

We recommend that you choose one or two cosmetic dentists with whom you can have a consultation. Check each dentist’s website for information on his or credentials and experience. During the consultation, you can ask questions and get more information on what you can expect for a dental bridge.

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