porcelain veneers Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Lowell Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Will Porcelain Veneers Work for Overlapped Teeth?

Posted on June 28, 2022 by AllSmiles.

My center front teeth overlap. I also have two teeth on the left side that overlap. I know braces will work, but I am not sure about the time commitment. It seems like a lot of trouble to spend more than a year getting four teeth straight. My other teeth look okay. Will four porcelain veneers work to get rid of the overlapping, or will I have to get braces? Thanks. Everett from Lansing, MI

Everett – Thank you for your question.

Porcelain veneers can correct overlapped teeth, but a skilled cosmetic dentist must examine your teeth first to determine whether veneers will enhance your smile.

Will Veneers Work for Overlapped Teeth?

A skilled cosmetic dentist can determine whether porcelain veneers will correct overlapped teeth

An advanced cosmetic dentist may be able to reshape your teeth to accommodate veneers. You may need a combination of cosmetic dentistry treatments to ensure your smile looks natural.

Although only four teeth might seem to be affected, other teeth might be shifting. If so, you will need to compare orthodontic treatment vs. porcelain veneers. If your teeth are moving, cosmetic dentistry will not stop the movement. Orthodontics might provide a longer-lasting solution.

Even if you are a candidate for porcelain veneers, you may need more than four veneers to produce natural-looking results. Sometimes adjacent teeth require veneers to balance out your smile.

Finding a Cosmetic Dentist for Overlapped Teeth

Correcting your smile with cosmetic dentistry and porcelain veneers requires much skill. Schedule an appointment with at least two experienced cosmetic dentists to receive an exam and discuss your treatment options. Remember to prepare questions about your treatment options, including:

Ask to see before-and-after pictures of similar cases the dentist has completed.
Ask about the results you can expect if you receive porcelain veneers.
Other than the four teeth you are concerned about, ask if there are any apparent issues with other teeth that need attention.

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

Are Veneers My Only Option for Tetracycline-Stained Teeth?

Posted on May 19, 2022 by AllSmiles.

I am increasingly self-conscious about tetracycline stains on my teeth. It is embarrassing to try to explain it to people who seem distracted by my teeth and unable to concentrate on our conversation. Last month, I had a consultation with a cosmetic dentist who recommended porcelain veneers. The cost of $20,000 – $30,000 would heavily impact my savings. My teeth and self-esteem are worth it, but I am interested in knowing whether I have other options. – Thank you. Aaron from Georgia

Aaron,

Thank you for your question.

The cost quoted to you is reasonable for premier porcelain veneers from a skilled dentist. We will explain more about the treatment for tetracycline stains.

Do Porcelain Veneers Work for Tetracycline Stains?

Porcelain veneer

Concealing tetracycline stains with porcelain veneers takes advanced training, skill, and artistry from a cosmetic dentist. If you find a dentist with low fees who claims to be able to hide the stains, you can count on getting inferior results. The stains may show through the veneers, or the veneers may look opaque or pasty, making it evident that you had dental work. But an advanced cosmetic dentist and adept ceramist can produce incredible results with veneers.

Will Bonding or Teeth Whitening Help Tetracycline Stains?

Whether dental bonding or teeth whitening will help tetracycline stains depends on the severity of stains and a dentist’s skill and experience.

Dental bonding – The skill and precision it takes a cosmetic dentist to blend composites and apply them to your teeth to hide tetracycline stains can be more costly than porcelain veneers.
Teeth whitening – A skilled cosmetic dentist may recommend a high-strength whitening system to improve tetracycline stains, but the results will not be as effective as porcelain veneers. Bleaching treatment is a tiny fraction of the cost of porcelain veneers.

Request Another Consultation for Tetracycline Stains

Comparing your options can help you understand whether you are making the right decision regarding cosmetic dentistry. We recommend scheduling another consultation with an accredited cosmetic dentist to examine your x-rays and teeth. The second opinion can clarify which treatment will give you results that help you feel good about your smile.

Best wishes.

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

Root Canal After Veneers

Posted on November 23, 2021 by AllSmiles.

I need a root canal after wearing veneers for 12 years. My left upper incisor is infected, so my dentist referred me to an endodontist. A root canal is my only option. My veneers look new, so I am concerned about my tooth turning dark after the root canal or losing the veneer altogether. Also, I got the veneers when I lived in Texas, but now I live in NJ. Although my dentist takes good care of my veneers, I haven’t seen any of her veneers’ cases, so I don’t know if I have confidence in her if I need a new veneer. Am I at risk of losing it? – Thank you. Linda from New Haven, CT

Linda,

It is unusual to need root canal treatment for a porcelain veneer tooth. But if a dentist aggressively prepared your tooth veneers and removed the enamel, the tooth is at greater risk for stress and decay.

How to Prevent a Root Canal from Darkening Your Veneer

Root canal after veneers can darken a tooth. But during treatment, your dentist can minimize the effects. After your endodontist performs your root canal treatment, they can preserve your tooth color with these steps:

Clean out root canal filling material from the portion of your tooth above the gumline
Place a flexible fiberglass post into the tooth root
Fill the space with a light shade of dental composite

Since leftover filling and cement darkening after root canal treatment usually causes darkening, the above steps will help. Cleaning out your crown can prevent your tooth from darkening for five to ten years. And your porcelain veneer can prolong the good results.

Will Root Canal Treatment Ruin Your Veneer?

A securely bonded veneer should stay intact during root canal treatment

Root canal treatment should not ruin your veneer. A dentist will access your tooth from the biting surface—not the front of a tooth where your veneer is located. If the dentist who placed your veneers bonded them securely, your veneer would stay in place during root canal treatment.

Michael Szarek, DMD sponsors this post. Dr. Szarek is an accredited cosmetic dentist in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Should My Dentist Replace a Cracked Porcelain Veneer for Free?

Posted on June 13, 2021 by AllSmiles.

In March 2021, my dentist placed ten veneers on my top front teeth. I agreed to ten veneers because I have a broad smile. My dentist did beautiful work, and I have recommended several friends to her. I wore a nightguard before I got the veneers because I grind my teeth. And I have never stopped wearing a nightguard. Two nights ago, I forgot to wear my night guard, and in just that one incident, my right lateral incisor veneer cracked. Should forgetting to wear my nightguard one night cause a veneer to crack? Can a dentist repair a cracked veneer? And should I ask my dentist to replace it for free? I was planning on getting a dental implant for a lower first molar, but this setback might delay my plans. Thank you. Lyzelle from ME

Lyzelle,

Thank you for your question.

Can a Dentist Repair a Cracked Porcelain Veneer?

If a porcelain veneer cracked into two pieces that fit together perfectly, a cosmetic dentist could bond the veneer onto the tooth. The crack will be virtually invisible.

Should Your Dentist Replace Your Cracked Veneer at No Cost?

If your porcelain veneer cracked because you failed to wear your nightguard, your dentist is not responsible for replacing the veneer at no cost. But your veneers are only three months old, so some dentists would replace the cracked one and charge you for the lab fee or another portion. But you can expect to pay the full cost if it happens again.

Dental implant diagram of component, implant fixture in bone, and crown placement

Dental implants are highly effective for tooth replacement

Another factor is whether your dentist gave you specific instructions about wearing your nightguard to avoid damaging your veneers. If your dentist explained the risk, she might not be inclined to replace your cracked veneer at no cost. And you mentioned wearing a nightguard even before your dentist placed the veneers, so unless there are factors that you have not mentioned to us, be prepared to pay the total cost of replacing the veneer.

We understand that you have been anticipating getting a dental implant. But if you have found an excellent dentist, be reasonable if she is willing to negotiate with you on the cost of replacing the veneer.

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

Straight teeth after Invisalign but jagged edges like a zipper

Posted on September 28, 2020 by AllSmiles.

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.

: BEFORE

: AFTER

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.