Archives for June 2023

My New Porcelain Veneer Is the Wrong Color

Posted on June 30, 2023 by AllSmiles.

My new porcelain veneer is the wrong color. I’ve had veneers since 2009, but one broke last month. Although the veneers looked good in the dental office, I could see that the shade did not match my other veneers and teeth. My dentist returned the veneer, and I returned to the office when the new one came. I thought my dentist used temporary paste, but she bonded the veneer because she said it was a match. Although my current dentist did not do my veneers in 2009, shouldn’t she be able to match one veneer with the others? Do you have a tip I can give her to get it right this time? I am thinking about getting a Lumineer from another dentist to be done with this. Thank you. Terah from Arlington, VA

Terah,

Thank you for contacting Dr. Lim’s office. We understand your concerns and frustration.

How Can You Color Match a Porcelain Veneer?

Trained cosmetic dentists color match a porcelain veneer with several steps, starting with using the correct lighting. When the veneer color does not match, a skilled cosmetic dentist understands how to manipulate the tint on the veneer, but a dentist should refrain from attempting to do it. Color-correct fluorescent lighting in the dental office can help a dentist achieve a perfect match.

An advanced cosmetic dentist may use this technique when veneers return from the dental lab in the wrong color:

Send photographs of your teeth to help the ceramist see the shade difference
Send a detailed description of the desired shade
Collaborate with the dental ceramist and try as many times as needed to correct the color

Using Polishing Techniques to Correct Veneer Color

Specific diamond polishing wheels and pastes can correct the color of a porcelain veneer. Still, if your dentist lacks the training, tools, and materials to polish veneers, please do not insist on this technique.

We recommend getting a second opinion from an advanced cosmetic dentist to examine your veneer and determine whether they can correct the color or if you need a new veneer. If you need to switch dentists to correct the color of your porcelain veneer, ask for your dental records and a history of your veneers, including the details of your 2009 veneers case. Don’t randomly seek another dentist for a single Lumineer. The results can be disastrous because Luminners’ quality will be inferior. The dental records will help your new cosmetic dentist and the dental lab achieve a perfect match.

Dr. Duane Delaune of Metairie, Louisiana, sponsors this post. Read why Dr. Delaune’s patients consider him one of the best dentists in town.

Before and after minimal prep porcelain veneers photos

Porcelain veneers photos of Dr. Delaune’s patient

How Can I Whiten My Teeth After Braces?

Posted on June 29, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I should be finished with braces in October. How can I whiten my teeth after the braces are off? My teeth were yellow before the braces, and now they look spotty and yellow. Which whitening strips or toothpaste should I use? – Thanks, Ahmed from VA

Ahmed,

Upper and lower teeth whitening trays with bleaching gel syringe tips on either side

Teeth whitening trays and bleaching gel syringes. Only whiten your teeth with a dentist’s supervision.

Thank you for your questions. Wearing braces can cause various teeth stains. Only when a dentist identifies the source of the stains and recommends treatment should you whiten your teeth at home. Your efforts can make the stains more noticeable. Also, whitening strips and whitening toothpaste will have limited results.

How Can You Whiten Your Teeth After Braces?

Professional whitening from a dentist is the best way to whiten your teeth after braces. Most dentists offer in-office and take-home whitening. The advantages of professional whitening include the following:

Source of the stains – A dentist will examine your teeth to identify the causes of the stains. If your teeth are yellow and spotty, you have experienced decalcification beneath your braces and yellowing over time. A cosmetic dentist may recommend more than one cosmetic treatment for your teeth.
Anticipate the results – Without training, you cannot predict the effects of bleaching gel on your teeth, but a dentist can. Bleaching can make some stains more noticeable.
Targeted whitening – If you are a candidate for teeth whitening, a dentist will take impressions of your teeth for custom bleaching trays. Either you will you the trays for take-home whitening or touch-ups after in-office whitening.
In-office whitening – You can get rapid results with an hour of dental whitening in the office. You can continue whitening at home if you want your teeth brighter.
Treatment options other than bleaching gel – As the next section explains, bleaching gel may not be enough to remove teeth stains after braces.

Cosmetic Dentistry for Teeth Stains After Braces

Improving teeth stains after braces may include more than one cosmetic treatment, such as the following:

Teeth whitening – Removes surface and embedded stains
Remineralization – Stops demineralization and loss of tooth enamel
Composite restoration – Tooth-colored resin repairs damage to your tooth enamel
Microabrasion – Improves appearance by sanding and polishing tooth enamel

Dr. Duane Delaune of Metairie, Louisiana, sponsors this post. Read why Dr. Delaune’s patients consider him one of the best dentists in town.

Could My Bite Be Ruined for Life with These Crowns?

Posted on June 23, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I think my new crowns ruined my bite for life. My dentist shaved and burred my crown until I developed hives. I had an appointment last Friday about the hives on my lips and gums. I wonder if I am having an allergic reaction to the zirconia crowns. Do I need an allergist for this? I am asking about my bite and zirconia allergy. What can I do? Thanks for your help. – Emanuel from Morrisville, NC

Emanuel,

We understand your concerns and are sorry to hear about your frustrating experience.

Could Crowns Ruin Your Bite for Life?

Jaw pain, earaches, and other TMJ symptoms can occur if your bite is off.

When you find a dentist with advanced training in occlusion and bite, you will be relieved to know that your bite is not ruined for life. We recommend looking for dentists with in-depth study of occlusion and bite. When your bite is off, you feel the discomfort. It can also cause jaw pain, earaches, neck pain, and other TMJ symptoms.

You can schedule a second opinion because your dentist cannot adjust your bite. If you are distrustful about a new dentist trying to adjust your bite, you can schedule a consultation first to meet the dentist, ask questions, and explain your anxiety.

Could You Be Allergic to Zirconia Crowns?

It is possible to be allergic to zirconia crowns, but we have no confirmed cases reported. If a zirconia allergy is causing your reaction, you would have reacted when you got the crowns—before your dentist began grinding on them. You may be experiencing burning mouth syndrome, which can occur after stressful dental appointments.

Grinding down super-strength zirconia crowns is challenging. Feeling the pressure from the grinding repeatedly can increase anxiety for almost any patient.

We hope you get a lasting resolution that relieves your anxiety. Your hives may improve, too. If they do not, we suggest scheduling an appointment with your medical doctor.

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.