Archives for February 2023

Another Lumineer Popped Off My Tooth. It’s the Third Time.

Posted on February 27, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I got Lumineers placed on 8 teeth upper teeth in 2022. Last July, two of them popped off for no reason. I returned them to my dentist, and she bonded them back at no cost. Last night another one popped off. Fortunately, I was at home this time. The previous times I was in public, and really embarrassed. I can’t return to the same dentist now because I moved over 200 miles away, although I am still in Texas. Why are the Lumineers popping off, and what should I do now? Will I need new Lumineers? Thank you. Dinah from Sumter, SC

Dinah,

Thank you for contacting Delaune Dental in Metairie about your Lumineers. We understand your concerns and the embarrassment of faulty cosmetic dentistry.

Why Are Your Lumineers Popping Off?

A single porcelain veneer - for info on Lumineers

A skilled cosmetic can inspect your Lumineers for stability.

If your Lumineers periodically pop off, it is likely because your dentist did not correctly bond them to your teeth. With proper bonding and proper care, porcelain veneers should remain in place for the life of the veneers—15 to 20 years or longer.

In addition to veneers falling off, improper bonding can result in veneers staining, discoloring, and sensitivity in the veneered teeth. Some people experience decay in teeth behind the veneers due to faulty boning techniques.

Schedule an Exam with an Experienced Cosmetic Dentist

It is vital to the longevity of your cosmetic dentistry treatment to find an experienced cosmetic dentist who is skilled with current bonding techniques. Make an appointment with an experienced cosmetic dentist to restore the Lumineer that fell off and examine the others. The dentist will recommend a treatment plan to ensure all your veneers are stable and stop the Lumineers from popping off individually. You should only need new Lumineers if the dentist determines that yours are defective.

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.

How Long Does TMJ Last?

Posted on February 23, 2023 by AllSmiles.

How long does TMJ last? Since late October, I have had horrible jaw pain and clicking when I open my mouth or eat. I also have very painful and clogged ears. Sometimes, they ring, which affects my sleep. I am concerned that I feel tired when I wake up after pain and ear-ringing episodes. My dentist said surgery would just make it worse, and the medicine would help, but it is not helping. Will the pain eventually go away? – Morgan

Morgan,

Thank you for contacting Delaune Dental. We understand your concerns about your TMJ discomfort and other symptoms. Although Dr. Delaune would need to perform a comprehensive exam to identify the source of your discomfort, we will explain the basics about how long symptoms can last.

How Long Does TMJ Last?

TMJ can last a few days to a few weeks or longer depending on several factors, including:

The severity of your case
The cause of your symptoms
Whether you get treatment, including self-help or professional care
Your compliance with treatment recommendations

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

TMJ pain and discomfort sometimes go away with self-care, including TMJ exercises, alternately applying heat and cold to the side of your face, and using over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication.

Depending on the severity of the disorder, you may not be completely relieved of the symptoms, but they can improve. Some cases require professional care. If you have lingering symptoms, we suggest an appointment with a dentist with training and experience in diagnosing and treating TMJ. You may need to wear a custom night guard to relax your jaw and relieve the TMJ joint and facial muscles while sleeping.

Schedule an appointment with a dentist experienced in this area. They will evaluate your condition and recommend the appropriate treatment.

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.

Dentist Agreed to Composite Veneers and Then Declined

Posted on February 10, 2023 by AllSmiles.

After three consultations with dentists about teeth whitening and composite veneers, I selected a dentist close to my job. My teeth are uneven, chipped, and discolored. I’ve had teeth whitening by a dentist before, but it made the other problems more noticeable. My dentist did the whitening and said we could wait a week or two before the color stabilizes to see if I want to continue whitening. Then he said we could discuss what I wanted for my porcelain veneers. Before I let this dentist do my teeth whitening, we agreed to composite veneers, not porcelain. I reminded the dentist that we decided that I could get composite veneers. Then he said that he only does porcelain veneers.

I chose composite veneers because of my budget and desire to see how it looks. If I like it, why would I agree to tooth preparation for porcelain veneers? The composite costs less, I can try it out, and if I don’t like the dentist’s work, I can pursue other options. Isn’t this my choice? What can I do about a dentist who will only do porcelain veneers for me? Thanks, Paul from Columbus, OH

Paul,

Thank you for contacting Delaune Dental in Metairie. We encourage you to get a second opinion from an experienced cosmetic dentist.

Composite Veneers vs. Porcelain Veneers

The differences between composite veneers and porcelain veneers include their composition, process, longevity, aesthetics, and required skills.

Composition – Dental composite, a mixture of plastic resin and glass, makes composite veneers. Porcelain veneers are dental ceramics.
Process – For composite veneers, a dentist will layer composite bonding directly on your teeth while you sit in a dental chair. A dental lab crafts porcelain veneers, which are custom made to fit the fronts of your teeth.
Longevity – High-quality composite veneers can last five years or longer but are not stain resistant. Porcelain veneers last eight to over 15 years and are stain resistant.
Aesthetics – An artistic cosmetic dentist can select shades of dental composite and layer them on your teeth for natural results. Dental ceramics for porcelain veneers mimic natural teeth more closely than other options.
Skills – Both porcelain veneers and composite veneers require artistic talent. Not all cosmetic dentists offer composite veneers because they need much care and details to look natural.

Your dentist may lack enough training in dental composite to achieve beautiful results. That may be why he insists on porcelain veneers.

If you want composite veneers, schedule a consultation with an advanced cosmetic dentist. Look at the dentist’s website to confirm that they work with composite. You can also look at the dentist’s smile gallery of composite veneers or composite bonding. The dentist will examine your teeth to ensure they are healthy after teeth whitening and explain which options will conceal the imperfections in your teeth.

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.

Before and after composite veneers photos

Dr. Delaune transformed this patient’s smile with composite bonding.