Archives for January 2023

Why Do My Inner Lips Catch on My Porcelain Veneers?

Posted on January 27, 2023 by AllSmiles.

In November last year, I got 8 porcelain veneers on my front teeth, but my teeth catch on them. I trusted my dentist of 15 years for veneers. I have seen the work she has done for patients and have always felt that it looked great. A smile makeover was important for me as I turned 40 years old. I saved money for it so that I wouldn’t need financing. My dentist was confident that she could produce the smile I wanted. I got veneers to boost my career and help clients focus on my presentation instead of my bad smile. Despite the mockups and trials with the veneers, I have a new smile that I actually hate. Two veneers aren’t smooth, and my inner lip catches on them. It’s a mess that my dentist can’t seem to correct, even though I’ve been back to her six times. I’m not angry at my dentist but hurt and disappointed. I really want the veneers off. I don’t want veneers anymore. What should I say to my dentist?

Why Do Your Lips Catch on Your Porcelain Veneers?

If your lips catch on your porcelain veneers, a skilled cosmetic dentist may need to adjust your bite. Or, you may need new veneers. Only after an examination could a dentist accurately identify the source of your concerns.

We suggest that you schedule an appointment with an accredited cosmetic dentist. They will examine your veneers and determine how to correct your smile. Minor adjustments may be needed to prevent your lips from catching on your porcelain veneers, but other issues might lead to replacing the problematic veneers.

What Happens If You Don’t Want Porcelain Veneers Anymore?

Porcelain veneer

If you do not want porcelain veneers anymore, in most cases, a dentist can only replace them with new veneers. Most often, a dentist prepares your teeth by removing a tiny amount of tooth enamel from the fronts of your teeth. If a dentist prepared your teeth, it is no longer possible to return to your natural teeth without some cosmetic dentistry to protect them.

Although you have an established relationship with your dentist, she may need more training to provide beautiful porcelain veneers that function correctly.

Request a Porcelain Veneers Consultation

We recommend consulting with an advanced cosmetic dentist to resolve your concerns.

A few tips:

Ask friends or family members for an advanced cosmetic dentist.
Check the dentist’s credentials on their website.
Read patient reviews.
Check the dentist’s website smile gallery of porcelain veneers.
Only allow a dentist to redo your porcelain veneers if you are confident in their ability.

Metairie cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post. Read details about how Dr. Delaune strives to provide some of the best dental care in Metairie.

My Bite Is Off with New Dental Implants

Posted on January 19, 2023 by AllSmiles.

My bite is off with my new three dental implants. I had three missing teeth from my first premolar back that my dentist replaced with dental implants last July. Now that I have the permanent crowns, I told my dentist that my upper and lower left teeth don’t match when I bite down. The upper teeth are too far left of the lower teeth. I saw my dentist for an adjustment three weeks ago, but I am unsure what he adjusted. I do not notice any difference, though. I am worried about how many adjustments my dentist can make before my crowns or implants fail. I don’t know what to do. – Thank you. Kevin D. from OK

Kevin,

Dental implant with crown, abutment, and implant screw identified

Get a second opinion to determine why your bite is off with dental implants

Thank you for contacting our office. Dr. Delaune would need to examine your crowns and implants and take x-rays to determine what is affecting your bite. But it is not okay to experience discomfort after getting your implant crowns.

What Causes Occlusion (Bite) Problems with Dental Implant Crowns?

If you have concerns about your bite (how your upper and lower teeth meet) with new dental implant crowns, the cause may include one or more of the following:

Incorrect dental implant placement – When a restoring dentist (who provides the dental crowns) provides clear communication to an oral surgeon or periodontist, it ensures precise implant placement. Skilled restoring dentists provide a surgical guide that defines implant location angle. Without specific instructions, misplaced dental implants can disrupt your bite. Some dentists have advanced training in implant surgery, providing both the implants and dental crowns for a smooth process.
Incorrect crown restoration – A dental crown must precisely fit the connector on top of a dental implant. If a crown doesn’t fit well, it will affect how your upper and lower teeth meet (your bite).
Bruxism – Teeth grinding adds stress to dental implants and can disrupt harmony between your implants and crowns.
Incompatible dental crown and implant size – When a dental implant is too long or too short for the crown attached, it will affect your bite. The same applies if the crown is out of proportion to the implant size.

The July 2019 issue of the International Journal of Implant Dentistry published an article on occlusal overload with dental implants. According to the report, when the bite force on dental implants is too strong, it may lead to irritation in the gum tissue around the implants (peri-implantitis), which affects the bone if left untreated. So, we urge you to seek a qualified dentist.

We recommend scheduling an exam with a restorative dentist with advanced dental implant, cosmetic dentistry, and occlusion and bite training. A prompt examination and treatment will help prevent further irritation to the gum tissue and bone around the dental implants.

Metairie, Louisiana, dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post.

Dental Bonding Doesn’t Match My Whitened Teeth

Posted on January 9, 2023 by AllSmiles.

Hi,

I got my teeth whitened in October and waited until the color stabilized before whitening them again. I did everything my dentist told me to do. Now that my dentist applied new dental bonding to four of my front teeth, the bonding is two shades darker than my natural teeth. My teeth look patchy because the color doesn’t match. My dentist said she could try again, but I am not confident about this. Can she keep applying and removing bonding without damaging my teeth? Thank you. Adrianne

Adrianne,

Thank you for contacting Dr. Delaune’s office. Although many dentists apply dental bonding, it takes training and skill to match it to natural teeth.

When Dental Bonding Doesn’t Match Your Teeth

A dentist who cannot match dental bonding to your teeth may need more training, experience, or materials to achieve a match. Applying dental bonding requires artistry because dentists layer it by hand. In addition to skill, achieving a perfect match for patients requires a dentist to stock these items:

Bonding materials
Dental composites
Tints

A trained dentist can perfectly match the bonding to your brighter tooth shade and translucence with the right assortment of materials. Otherwise, the bonding and natural teeth will be mismatched.

Can a Dentist Repeatedly Remove and Reapply Bonding?

A trained cosmetic dentist can remove and reapply bonding without harming your natural tooth structure. A dentist without training can potentially remove too much tooth enamel, leaving your teeth vulnerable to bacteria and decay.

An example from Dr. Delaune of how a cosmetic dentist can seamlessly match dental bonding and tooth color.

Consult with a Cosmetic Dentist for Dental Bonding

We recommend looking for a dentist with advanced cosmetic dentistry training to examine your teeth and determine how to restore them. The dentist may be able to resurface the bonding. Otherwise, the dentist will replace it. You can save time and frustration by consulting with a skilled cosmetic dentist.

Metairie cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post. Read details about how Dr. Delaune strives to provide some of the best dental care in Metairie.