Menu Phone
Phone: 504-885-8869 Main Site Pen Icon Reviews: GoogleFacebook

Porcelain veneer doesn’t match my teeth

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I am wearing a temporary veneer while I wait for the permanent one. When I went for the session to get the veneer to match my own teeth, my dentist pulled out a lot of different shades and held them against my teeth but none of them were a real match. She said that she would use the closest one and send instructions for it to be changed to match my teeth. Well the temporary veneer is too dark. It makes it looks as if I have a bad tooth. It looks worse than my real teeth. I am worried about this. I mentioned to my dentist that it’s too dark and she said that when the permanent veneer comes in we will work with it. What does that mean? Is it too late to do anything about it? – Lori

Lori – Make an appointment with your dentist to discuss your concern. Even if the permanent porcelain veneer arrives and doesn’t match your teeth, don’t allow it to be bonded to your tooth. Once the veneer is bonded it cannot be changed.

You can insist on a veneer that matches your natural teeth. If your dentist is unable to provide you with a match, you should seriously consider finding an experienced cosmetic dentist. He or she will work with a master ceramist to produce a beautiful veneer that looks natural and matches your natural teeth.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune.

Can a cosmetic dentist change the length of my teeth?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

My teeth look too small. I’ve been self-conscious about it for years. I have put off doing anything about it because of concerns about the cost, but I really want them to look adult sized. Is there anything a cosmetic dentist can do to make them look longer? – Rebekkah S.

Rebekkah  – One option for giving your teeth a longer appearance is porcelain veneers. The veneers are bonded to the front of your teeth. They will be made to match the color of your natural teeth. You will be able to choose the shape and color of your teeth.  This is work that you definitely want done by an experienced cosmetic dentist. Check the dentist’s credentials and training in cosmetic dentist to confirm that he or she truly has artistic talent and can give you natural-looking results. You can also look on the dentist’s website for a smile gallery, or have a consultation with the dentist and ask to see pictures of his or her work.

If you have excess gum tissue that is making your teeth look too small, gum contouring or a gum lift can be performed to reveal more of your tooth structure.

Consult with a few cosmetic dentists to discuss your goals for your smile and find out your treatment options. You can also discuss payment options, including financing or payment plans that may help make the treatment affordable for you.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Find out why so many patients think he is the best dentist in New Orleans.

Quality porcelain veneers that don’t fall off

Posted on by AllSmiles.

We receive many inquiries to our website from people who are not our patients, but whose porcelain veneers fall off—some whose veneers keep falling off, even though they have been re-bonded.

Porcelain veneers should last 15 to 20 years or longer, depending on how well you take care of them. But the duration of the veneers also depends on how well they are bonded to your teeth and how well they are cared for during dental cleanings.

An experienced cosmetic dentist like Dr. Duane Delaune will ensure that your porcelain veneers are properly bonded so they remain secured to your natural teeth, and properly cared for during dental cleanings so they maintain their beautiful glaze and shine. He was voted a Top Dentist by New Orleans magazine. If your porcelain veneer has somehow been damaged, Dr. Delaune will give you an honest assessment as to whether it can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced. But he won’t pressure you to have any treatment.

If you don’t have porcelain veneers yet, but are interested in getting them, learn from the experience of others. Quality, natural-looking porcelain veneers come from an artistic, skilled cosmetic dentist. Don’t shop around for cheap or inexpensive veneers. You may regret that decision. The bargain price may mean a sacrifice in the quality of the veneers, or improper bonding.

Dr. Delaune offers a complimentary consultation if you’re interested in getting porcelain new veneers.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune of Metairie.

Receiving dental care without dental insurance

Posted on by AllSmiles.

Millions of Americans avoid going to the dentist because they don’t have dental insurance. Did you know that many dentists provide options that allow you to maintain good oral health, even if you don’t have dental insurance?

Some dentists have in-office monthly payment plans. Others accept payment through major credit cards. CareCredit® is a popular financing company through which many dentists offer no-interest financing.

Before you decide that you can’t afford dental care, selectively choose a few dentists from whom you think you would be comfortable receiving treatment. Visit the financial arrangements page on their website or call the office to get details on how dental treatment can be made affordable for you.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune of Metairie.

How can I correctly whiten my teeth before receiving porcelain crowns?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

Hi, I am getting 4 new crowns in January. I have used Opalescence for whitening my teeth. I want to get my teeth to right as far as whitening is concerned before I get the crowns. Will you please tell me how many weeks I should do the touch up and how long I should keep the gel on each time? Also I know the whitening keeps working for a while after I stop the touch up, so should I give it a few weeks to take affect before my appointment or what is the right amount of time? – Tonya Miller

Tonya – It concerns us that you didn’t receive details from your dentist on how to effectively whiten your teeth before you receive your crowns. An excellent cosmetic dentist would have discussed teeth whitening with you in detail as part of your treatment plan.

How long you should do your touch-up depends on how white you want your teeth to be. Your teeth will become increasingly whiter, the longer you do the touch-up. The pace of the whitening will get slower, but your teeth will continue to brighten.

How long you leave the gel on with each touch-up treatment depends on how sensitive your teeth are to the bleaching gel. For daytime whitening, you should leave the gel on at least 20 to 30 minutes. If you sleep with the whitening trays on your teeth, the gel is less inhibited by saliva slow while you sleep, and the whitening will be even more effective.

Oxygen bubbles from the bleaching gel continue to whiten your teeth for approximately two weeks after your touch-up treatment is complete. Complete the touch-up at least two full weeks before receiving your porcelain crowns.

Touch-ups are needed every year or two to keep your smile bright. Certain food and drink like coffee, tea, and berries can stain your teeth, so the touch-ups will remove the stains.

A dentist with strong cosmetic dentistry credentials will ensure that your touch-ups are correctly done before you receive your crowns. He or she will also ensure that your crowns perfectly match your natural teeth.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune of Metairie.

Will two new porcelain veneers that I need match the old ones?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I’ve had porcelain veneers for about 3 yrs now. I wasn’t really happy with the dentist that placed them and 2 of the porcelain veneers were not placed right so they are stained and it looks like their separating from my teeth. In other words for those 2 teeth you can really tell there are veneers on them and they look like they might fall off. I want to get them replaced and I am not going back to the same dentist that put the veneers on in the first place but I am worried that the color of the new veneers won’t match. I am also wondering if my getting the old ones taking off might break my teeth. THANK YOU – Lauren J.

Lauren,

An experienced cosmetic dentist will have no problem matching the color of your existing porcelain veneers. Your new dentist will be able to access your dental records and contact the lab that made your veneers so that the color will be perfectly matched.

There will be no issue with damage to your natural teeth. There is more risk of damage to your teeth by leaving the defective porcelain veneers as they are. Leaving the teeth untreated exposes the teeth to risk of decay.

This blog post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune.

Can a broken partial denture be fixed?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

The metal bar on my partial denture broke. The partial is for 2 upper left and 2 upper right teeth. The teeth are now kind of hanging lower than they should but I don’t want to remove the partial all together because then I would have 4 missing teeth. Can I get it fixed? Tom

Tom – Unfortunately, the metal framework of a partial denture cannot be fixed. The partial will need to be replaced.

A traditional partial denture with the metal framework has an acrylic base, in which either acrylic or composite teeth are embedded. The plastic parts are easy to repair and re-attach to the framework. Repairing the framework would require welding, which would melt the acrylic base. The lab work required to re-position the teeth, clasps, and saddle of the framework would be just as costly as making a new partial denture.

If your budget permits, dental implants are the most effective and most natural-looking way to replace your missing teeth. They are a permanent solution, and you would be free of concerns about replacing a partial denture in the future.

This blog post is sponsored by the office of Metairie cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune.

Can abrasive toothpaste damage my porcelain veneers?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I hope that I haven’t ruined my new porcelain veneers or at least that I haven’t affected how long they will last. I have been brushing them with a toothpaste that is abrasive. Will the glaze come off? thanks jessica from georgia

Jessica – The porcelain surface of your porcelain veneers will not be scratched by the abrasive toothpaste. But the composite that is used to bond the porcelain to the tooth can scratch and wear away.

If you haven’t used the abrasive toothpaste for an extended period, you probably won’t notice any scratches or wear on the bonding. If the bonding is scratched, a stain line around the veneer will be visible. Or a thin groove around the veneer can form and attract decay. When this happens, see an experienced cosmetic dentist to correct the problem.

Dental bonding is softer than porcelain and it is likely to be scratched from abrasive toothpaste. But an expert cosmetic dentist would be able to polish away the scratches.

Supersmile toothpaste is best to use on cosmetic dental work. It can help preserve the life of your smile makeover.

This blog post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune.

 

A porcelain crown for a badly broken tooth

Posted on by AllSmiles.

Last year I had a root canal done. My dentist told me that I needed a crown to protect the tooth but I didn’t do it. I couldn’t afford it.  I have a few other things that I need to take care of before I consider getting a crown. This past Thursday my tooth broke down to the gum line. Is this something that can be fixed? Kirk from texas

Kirk,

Your dentist is correct. A dental crown is needed to protect the tooth after the root canal treatment. The tooth becomes brittle, because there is no blood supply to it, and the crown protects it from breaking. The break in your tooth is partially the result of not having it protected.

Your tooth is broken now, but a crown is still needed to preserve your tooth. If the tooth is left exposed, it is at further risk to become infected again, or for a root to fracture. If the root is fractured, the tooth cannot be saved. If an infection recurs, a second root canal treatment will be needed.

Although you have concerns about the cost of the crown, protecting your tooth now will save you money in the long term.

This blog post is sponsored by the office of Metairie cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune.

Composite fillings need replacing. Is this urgent?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

When I lived in Ohio I had a dentist that was doing composite fillings 18 years ago. I haven’t had any problems with them until now. I had my first visit with a dentist since I moved to Georgia and she says that three of the filling on my bottom teeth are leaky and need to be replaced. Is this something I need to have done right away? Thanks – Matthew K. from Albany, GA

Matthew – If a gap forms between the tooth and the filling, bacteria can enter the area and cause decay. A leaky filling does need to be fixed, but it isn’t urgent.

Replacing the entire filling, as your dentist suggested, gives the composite a better seal on your teeth. There are better materials available now for composite fillings, compared to when you first received the fillings.

One advantage of composite fillings is that they bond to the tooth. If decay gets around the filling it’s easy to see. Amalgam fillings, sometimes referred to as silver fillings, often have decay beneath them. Unfortunately, the decay beneath amalgam fillings may go unnoticed until the filling is removed or replaced.

This blog post is sponsored by Metairie cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune.