Archives for October 2021

What brand of implants should I ask for?

Posted on October 31, 2021 by AllSmiles.

I need dental implants, but I know not to get cheap ones that might fail. What brand of dental implants should I ask my dentist for? Thanks. Martin H.

Martin – Thank you for your question. Patients with an interest in dental implants frequently ask the same question.

Which Dental Implants Brands Are Best?

U.S. major manufacturers all have quality dental implants. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the sale and distribution of dental implants in the United States.

In conjunction with the dental implant standards from the American Dental Association, the FDA also monitors dental implants for safety and effectiveness. The FDA protects and promotes public health and safety, so the dental implant screw, which dentists surgically place jawbone, and the dental crown attached to the implant must meet FDA requirements.

Priorities for a Dental Implant Candidate

As a patient receiving dental implants, your primary concern should be finding a dentist who uses quality fixtures and properly plans for and places your implants with care. A skilled implant dentist will first review your medical history and conduct diagnostic studies to determine if you are a candidate for dental implants.

Choose an experienced implant dentist or oral surgeon for high-quality implant fixtures

Diagnostic studies will also reveal your bone structure and sinuses to ensure your dentist places your implants in the best position for your oral health. Proper placement avoids nerve damage, puncturing sinuses, and damaging other body cavities. A skilled implant dentist will select the correct implant diameter and length for your case.

Before selecting a provider for your dental implants, check their training, experienced, and credentials. Rather than the brand of implants used, your provider will focus on quality implants and quality placement for restorations that will last you a lifetime.

Duane Delaune, DDS, an cosmetic dentist of Metairie, New Orleans, sponsors this post.

I Am Still Wearing Temporary Veneers

Posted on October 22, 2021 by AllSmiles.

In August, I got eight porcelain veneers, but I do not like them. My dentist tried the veneers on my teeth without attaching them. I explained to her that the shape and color were not what I wanted. The veneers should match my teeth after Zoom whitening, but they are darker than my natural teeth.

Before all this, my dentist did the wax-up and temporary veneers, but she assured me that I would like the final veneers because they look much better than the mock-up. The final veneers made my teeth look unevenly spaced, which was not a problem before. After I explained that I could not accept the veneers, the dentist told me she would return them to the lab for correction. But when I returned to the office to try on the new veneers, they still were not right. I am still wearing temporary veneers now and am concerned that I will be wearing them longer than I should?

I spoke with my dentist yesterday, and she said that the lab is hinting that this is their final attempt to redo my veneers. I am concerned about what will happen if I do not like the result. Will I have to start the process all over? – Thank you. Lynnae from GA

Lynnae,

We are sorry to hear about your experience. But, fortunately, your dentist did not bond on your veneers without your approval.

If your dentist and the lab she uses cannot achieve the results you agreed to, you should consider stopping the process and finding another dentist. Although you may be hesitant about switching dentists in the middle of treatment, we recommend not asking your dentist to try another time. And if the lab does not seem willing to work with your dentist to ensure your satisfaction, your porcelain veneers case probably will not be resolved.

Get a Second Opinion

a porcelain veneer being placed on a tooth

An accredited cosmetic dentist can give you natural-looking veneers

Look for an advanced cosmetic dentist and schedule a consultation. Cosmetic dentists have post-graduate training and understand the techniques required to achieve the tooth shape you want and match your veneers to your newly whitened natural teeth. Also, advanced cosmetic dentists work with master ceramists who understand how to layer and shape porcelain for beautiful results.

Ask for a refund. If needed, your new cosmetic dentist might be willing to talk with your previous dentist to help you get your money back. Meanwhile, you can speak with your dentist about your disappointment in not getting the results you wanted.

Dr. Duane Delaune, a cosmetic dentist in Metairie, LA, sponsors this post.

Is teeth grinding breaking my porcelain veneers?

Posted on October 15, 2021 by AllSmiles.

In July, my dentist replaced four old crowns on my front teeth and the two beside them. She recommended veneers on four more teeth – two on each side of the crowns because my teeth were worn. Within two weeks of getting the work completed, two of the veneer teeth started to hurt. I returned to the dentist, and she said that I grind my teeth so much that one veneer is loose. She made a mouth guard for me to wear at night. But the pain did not stop, and one veneer fell off. My dentist offered to replace the veneers with crowns, with I declined. So far, I have returned to her office twice to bond the veneers back on. I do not want her to grind down any more of my teeth for crowns. Neither do I want to keep going back to the dental office to bond veneers back on. Are crowns the only solution for this issue? I never had so many problems before the veneers. – Thank you. Robert M. from KY

Robert,

Thank you for your question.

porcelain veneer being held up by dental tool

Well-bonded porcelain veneers should not loosen

Well-bonded porcelain veneers do not fall off. If you have a problem with teeth grinding and your bite, your dentist should have identified it before placing your crowns and veneers. Her response makes us wonder whether some aspect of your treatment is too complex for her.

Can You Wear Porcelain Veneers If You Grind Your Teeth?

Generally, you can wear porcelain veneers if you grind your teeth. A dentist should bond the veneers so well that they do not loosen. But you must wear a mouth guard while you sleep to minimize the impact of grinding on your veneers. However, some cases of teeth trading are so severe that the veneers weaken anyway.

Preparing teeth for veneers takes skill and much post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry. Many dentists provide cosmetic dentistry without getting enough training, and the results show it.

Get a Porcelain Veneers Second Opinion

We recommend that you find a dentist in your area with post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry. Replacing porcelain veneers with crowns is aggressive treatment that you do not want unless it is necessary. Look for affiliation and training from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry or the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry. Look for a few cosmetic dentists’ websites for information about their post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry.

Duane Delaune, DDS, of Metairie, Louisiana, sponsors this post.

What is causing tooth sensitivity near my gumline?

Posted on October 9, 2021 by AllSmiles.

For the past few weeks, my left first molar has been sensitive. It is hoe sensitive to heat or cold, but it is sensitive to pressure near the gumline. I get regular cleanings at the dentist. Could this be tooth decay that my dentist has not detected? I stopped using my teeth whitening trays because it makes the sensitivity worse. – Thank you. Xavier from Oklahoma City

Xavier,

Thank you for your question.

Continuous tooth irritation can lead to nerve damage and root canal treatment. When teeth are sensitive to heat and cold, it Is a symptom of progressing infection. But if you only feel sensitivity to the touch in a spot, hear your gumline, your dentist can seal the area with a small filling to relieve the sensitivity.

What Causes Sensitivity Near the Gumline?

Woman's mouth clenching teeth - for info on tooth sensitivity from Metairie dentist Duane Delaune, DDS

Teeth clenching and grinding can cause sensitivity

Teeth flex for several reasons, including:

Chewing food
Grinding teeth
Clenching teeth

Grinding and clenching increase the pressure on teeth and cause more damage to them. If you clench or grind your teeth, consider asking your dentist for a custom night guard, an oral appliance you can wear at night. A night guard will minimize the impact on your teeth.

It is challenging for many dentists to get fillings to adhere in the grooves without popping out. But flexible filling material, such as a microfill composite will stick. Your dentist must keep your tooth dry while applying composite to ensure a firm bond.

Summary

Sensitivity near the gumline is not always a symptom of tooth decay. If you have bulges in a tooth, your dentist can seal it or use a small amount of microfill to eliminate the sensitivity.

If your dentist cannot resolve the issue, we recommend scheduling an appointment with a skilled cosmetic dentist to place the filling. After the sensitivity resolves, you can resume teeth whitening treatment.

Dr. Duane Delaune, a cosmetic dentist in Metairie, LA, sponsors this post.