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Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

New dental crowns for a gap make my jaw and neck hurt

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I received a dental implant on a left incisor and crowns on all front six teeth. I received the other crowns to close a large gap between my front teeth. Now my speech is slurred and lispy, and I have neck and jaw pain, dry mouth, and numbness in my lips. I regret closing my gap. Are the crowns causing this problem? If so, I want them removed, and I will keep my gap. – Dahlia from CT

Dahlia,

Closing your gap is not the issue, but the quality of your crown placement is the problem. Correctly sized and seated crowns do not create the symptoms you described.

When Dental Crowns Cause Symptoms

When dental crowns cause symptoms, including pain, numbness, or dry mouth, it could be that the crowns are too thick, too long, or both.

  • Oversized crowns – Oversized crowns can prevent your lips from closing naturally and effortlessly.
  • Lip incompetence – When your bite is correct and you put your teeth together, your lips should close naturally without thinking about it or trying to close them. Your lip numbness and dry mouth suggest you have lip incompetence—the ability to close your gaps naturally.
  • Thick crowns – Too-thick crowns can disrupt your bite (the way your upper and lower teeth fit together) and cause jaw and neck pain. Speech problems can result, too.

What to Do About Faulty Crowns

When dental crowns cause pain and dry mouth, you must find a cosmetic dentist to correct the issue. A dry mouth and lack of saliva breeds bacteria and promotes rapid tooth decay. Saliva contains antibodies to help fight decay, so don’t let the problems linger.

Diagram of three phases of dental implants, for information on implants and diabetes from the office of Lowell, MA dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Get a second opinion to check your implant crown and crowns on your natural teeth

We recommend that you find an advanced cosmetic dentist—preferably accredited—for a second opinion. It is challenging for a dentist to place multiple crowns simultaneously and balance your bite correctly. But a trained cosmetic dentist who understands occlusion and bite (how your teeth fit together and come in contact when you bite) can evaluate your case.

The cosmetic dentist will do the following:

 

Unfortunately, you may need new crowns. But your oral health is essential to your well-being.

Best wishes.

 

Michael 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.

Can a dentist reuse your crown after root canal treatment?

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There is decay beneath three of my five dental crowns. I need another root canal on one of the teeth. I’m wondering if it’s possible to reuse a crown after a root canal. I have a gag reflex and hate the thought of needing dental implants or dentures. I thought that when I got the crowns in 2011, I wouldn’t need another root canal. It’s disappointing that this process keeps repeating itself. Should I switch dentists? Thanks for your advice. – Harleigh from Portland, ME

Harleigh,

Whether or not your dentist can save your crowns depends on the extent of decay beneath them. Your dentist might need to cut off the crowns, which would make them impossible to reuse.

If your dentist can remove the crowns intact, it may be possible to reline them and bond them back in place.

Switching dentists probably won’t resolve the issue with decay beneath your crowns. If you frequently need crowns and get decay beneath them, several factors can help:

  • Reduce your frequency of eating and snacking throughout the day
  • Brush your teeth regularly and floss between them
  • Keep in mind that good oral hygiene isn’t a substitute for a lot of snacking
  • Keep your regularly scheduled appointments for dental cleanings and exams so your dentist can monitor your crowns
After cosmetic dentistry close-up photo of a patient's smile after receiving dental crowns to close a gap and even and brighten her teeth.

Snack less often to prevent decay beneath crowns and the need for dental implants

Neither dentures nor dental implants should be necessary if you get treatment promptly. Untreated decay will progress and eventually cause infection, which can lead to extraction and the need for a dental implant. Unless all your teeth are unhealthy and beyond saving, you shouldn’t consider dentures.

It’s best to pursue good oral health and take care of the decay beneath your crowns. Even if you need new dental crowns, they are less expensive than dental implants. And it’s worth the cost to preserve your natural teeth instead of extracting them in exchange for dentures.

Accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek of Lowell, MA, sponsors this post.

Thinking About Sectional Veneers for Your Teeth? 3 Reasons Not to Insist on Them

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Are you thinking about asking your dentist for sectional veneers to restore your teeth? Some skilled cosmetic dentists use this innovative treatment. But how do you know if it’s right for you? And should you insist that your dentist uses it?

Sectional Veneers vs. Porcelain Veneers

A porcelain veneer is a thin shell of porcelain that covers the entire front surface of a tooth. Porcelain is also used to make a sectional veneer, but it only covers the portion of a tooth that needs restoring—not the entire front surface.

When Are They Used?

Some cosmetic dentists use sectional veneers to correct small or minor issues on teeth, including:

  • Small gaps
  • Small chips
  • Minor cracks or fractures

Sectional veneers preserve more of your natural tooth structure and require very minimal preparation of a tooth. If there is significant damage to a tooth, an entire porcelain veneer might be required.

Which Veneers Should You Request?

Before you ask your dentist for any cosmetic treatment, you should wait until you receive a diagnosis and explanation of your treatment options. Several factors affect whether or not your dentist will recommend sectional veneers or porcelain veneers.

1. The Condition of Your Teeth

The condition of your teeth and gums, the extent of damage to them, and the goals you want to achieve for your smile all affect treatment recommendations. Your dentist will examine and x-ray your teeth to make a thorough evaluation of the external and internal condition of your teeth. He or she will let you know if porcelain veneers—or sectional veneers—are an option.

2. Your Dentist’s Experience and Preference

Only highly skilled cosmetic dentists can produce beautiful results with porcelain veneers. And experienced cosmetic dentists work with private laboratories and skilled ceramists who understand how to manipulate porcelain to give you lifelike results. Many cosmetic dentists don’t offer sectional veneers at all. Their experience, preferences, and each patient case affect which treatment they recommend. Experienced cosmetic dentists often prefer cosmetic resin as the first choice in concealing minor flaws in teeth. And they achieve beautiful, long-lasting results.

3. Your Risks

So although you can ask a dentist for any treatment, you should wait until you understand the condition of your teeth and the results you can expect from your treatment options. If you’re determined to receive a certain type or brand of veneers, only receive them from a dentist who regularly uses them. Otherwise, you might be dissatisfied with the results.

What Matters Most

If you want excellent results and a natural-looking smile, search for accredited cosmetic dentists in your area. Accreditation requires a dentist to pass oral and written exams and submit several cosmetic cases of varying complexity. Accredited dentists have proven their ability to give you gorgeous results. And after all, isn’t a gorgeous smile what you want?

 

Accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek of Lowell, MA, sponsors this blog. Visit Dr. Szarek’s smile gallery to see examples of his artwork.

Before-and-after porcelain veneers photos of one of Dr. Szarek’s patients.

Close-up smile photo before a patient received porcelain veneers from Michael Szarek, DMD of Lowell, MA.

BEFORE

Close-up smile photo after a patient received porcelain veneers from Michael Szarek, DMD of Lowell, MA.

AFTER

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.