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No Problems with Inflamed Gums Until I Got Porcelain Veneers

Posted on by AllSmiles.

My gums have been inflamed since I got porcelain veneers in February. My hygienist and dentist showed me how to brush and floss with veneers, and I followed their instructions to the letter. I had my dental cleaning appointment in late March, and the dental assistant said I must be brushing too aggressively, so my gums are inflamed. Two weeks ago, I returned to the dentist for an exam, and she removed cement and some roughness behind my teeth. She didn’t seem too concerned, but my gums are still inflamed.

I am concerned that something is wrong. Last night I thought about the veneer placement process. I wonder if the irritation is because my dentist removed the temporary veneers that I wore for five weeks but didn’t have my teeth cleaned afterward. Do I need to see a periodontist if my dentist is so casual about my gum inflammation? – Thanks. Joslyn

Joslyn,

Like most patients who get cosmetic dentistry work, you have been diligent about your oral hygiene. It’s irritating when a healthcare professional accuses the patient of doing something wrong when a healthcare provider is at fault. Although Dr. Delaune would need to examine your teeth, gums, and veneers, we can explain the possible causes of your gum inflammation.

What Causes Gum Inflammation After Getting Porcelain Veneers?

Excess cement, irregular margins, porcelain veneer position, or ceramic sensitivities can cause gum inflammation after getting porcelain veneers. We will explain.

Excess cement

Red, inflamed gums after getting porcelain veneers

A case of gum inflammation around two lateral incisors with new porcelain veneers. See an expert cosmetic dentist if you experience gum irritation.

If you experience gum inflammation after getting porcelain veneers, it may be because your dentist left excess cement behind. Dentists who regularly place veneers cure the cement in the middle of a tooth and remove the excess while it is still soft. When excess cement lingers, it hardens and irritates gum tissue.

Irregular margins

Unevenness, where a veneer and tooth meet, can lead to gum irritation. You may need to see a periodontist after a second opinion from an expert cosmetic dentist. We recommend getting a second opinion first.

Porcelain veneer position

Veneers placed too far under your gumline can inflame the gingival attachment—connective fibers that hold gum tissue to your teeth.

Ceramic sensitivity

Ceramic sensitivities are rare, but you may be sensitive or allergic to the material in the porcelain veneers.

Cosmetic dentists with advanced training ensure gum tissue is healthy before and after treatment. We recommend scheduling a second opinion with an expert cosmetic dentist who regularly places porcelain veneers. Allow the dentist to examine your veneers and gums and explain the next steps. Avoid mentioning your current dentist’s name or any diagnosis you got from the office to get an unbiased opinion.

 

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

Will a Porcelain Veneer Tooth with a Cavity Need a Crown Instead?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

Is replacing a porcelain veneer with a dental crown necessary if I have a cavity in the tooth? My dentist found a cavity on my top left incisor during my dental cleaning and exam last week. I have veneers on my 8 front teeth and prefer not to have a veneer replaced with a crown. Isn’t this aggressive? How could a crown match the veneers? Thank you. Jillian from White Plains, NY

 

Jillian,

We wish we had your dental records and knew more about your case. We recommend getting a second opinion from a skilled cosmetic dentist. We will explain why.

Can You Match a Dental Crown to Porcelain Veneers?

Although it is possible to match a dental crown to porcelain veneers, only about two percent of cosmetic dentists have the skills and artistic talent to do it. Most dentists and their laboratories don’t understand how to achieve a match. Your concerns about a mismatch are valid.

What Is the Size of the Cavity of the Porcelain Veneer Tooth?

If a cavity is so large that restoring the tooth would result in losing at least 20 percent of the tooth’s structure, you might need a dental crown. Otherwise, a dentist would shave every side of your tooth to accommodate the crown. We suspect your dentist is more familiar with dental crowns than porcelain veneers and offering your treatment options on their preference.

A dentist can fill a cavity on the edge of a porcelain veneer’s tooth with dental bonding. Again, only advanced cosmetic dentists have the training and equipment to use composite filling and ensure it matches your porcelain veneers.

Can You Keep Your Porcelain Veneer Instead of Getting a Crown?

One porcelain veneer held by dental forceps

Porcelain veneer

You may be able to keep your porcelain veneer depending on the condition of your tooth. If the tooth is savable, understand that a general family dentist cannot achieve what you want. Although most family dentists claim to practice cosmetic dentistry, only a dentist with post-graduate (and ongoing) training and experience can produce beautiful work with crowns or veneers.

We recommend scheduling consultations with at least two skilled cosmetic dentists. Look for dentists with extensive cosmetic dentistry training.

Meanwhile, try to limit how often you snack during the day. Porcelain veneers can be susceptible to decay at the margin where a veneer and tooth meet. Each time you eat, you expose your teeth to bacteria-producing acid. Floss daily to clean the margin.

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

How Long Does Teeth Sensitivity Last After Getting Veneers?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I never had problems with teeth sensitivity before I got porcelain veneers. I am concerned because it’s been two weeks since I got veneers, and whenever I drink anything cold (not even icy cold), my teeth are sensitive. My dentist said I should be patient while my teeth calm long. How long are teeth sensitive after getting veneers?

Dana,

Thank you for contacting Dr. Delaune’s office. Sensitivity after getting porcelain veneers is not unusual.

How Long Are Teeth Sensitive After Getting Porcelain Veneers?

Teeth sensitivity after getting porcelain veneers can last up to two weeks. Sensitivity can last fewer or longer than two weeks depending on several factors, including:

  • Tooth preparation – Healthy porcelain veneers must fit snugly around your gums, which can require removing a small amount of tooth enamel. Preparing your teeth for veneers can create sensitivity that should resolve within a week or two. If a dentist aggressively prepares your teeth, sensitivity may linger.
  • Porcelain veneer bonding – Some people are sensitive to the bonding agent used to ensure the veneers stick to their teeth.
  • Occlusion – How your upper and lower teeth meet can cause sensitivity or discomfort. A skilled cosmetic dentist checks and adjusts your bite after placing porcelain veneers to ensure your teeth meet evenly.
  • Porcelain veneer fit – Ensuring that veneers fit snugly at the gumline will help minimize sensitivity. Otherwise, you may feel discomfort around gaps between a porcelain veneer and your tooth.
  • General recovery – Any dental work, including regular exams and cleaning, can create temporary sensitivity. Before you get porcelain veneers, in addition to removing small amounts of tooth enamel, a dentist may need to remove decay or damage from your teeth. You may experience sensitivity afterward.

What If Teeth Sensitivity Lingers?

If you feel lingering sensitivity after getting porcelain veneers, schedule an exam with your dentist to check the veneers and your bite. If your dentist cannot identify the cause and estimate when the sensitivity might resolve, schedule a second opinion appointment with a skilled cosmetic dentist.

 

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

 

Why Do My Inner Lips Catch on My Porcelain Veneers?

Posted on 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?

One porcelain veneer held by dental forceps

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.

Porcelain Veneers for Overlapped Teeth Instead of Invisalign?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

Will you please tell me if porcelain veneers can straighten my teeth? I understand that Invisalign is an option, but at age 52, I prefer something faster than a year of orthodontic treatment. My upper teeth overlap. The overlap affects six teeth, but I realize that a dentist may see that other teeth are involved. Is there any chance that veneers might work? Thank you. Antonia from Northbrook, IL

Antonia,

Thank you for contacting us. Sometimes, porcelain veneers can straighten teeth without braces.

Can You Get Porcelain Veneers Instead of Invisalign?

One porcelain veneer held by dental forceps

Porcelain veneer

Porcelain veneers can sometimes straighten teeth instead of Invisalign, but they have limitations. If you have mild overlap, porcelain veneers may be an option. Veneers can improve tooth shape and shade, too. After an examination and x-rays, a cosmetic dentist will determine whether veneers can help. These steps may improve your overlapped teeth:

Will You Need Orthodontics Before Veneers?

A cosmetic dentist may recommend orthodontics before veneers in these cases:

  • Cross-bite
  • Your palate requires expansion
  • The degree of tooth rotation
  • Missing teeth
  • Extra teeth

Mispositioned opposing teeth can break or displace porcelain veneers.

Are You a Porcelain Veneers Candidate?

You may be a porcelain veneer candidate if your teeth and gums are healthy. Otherwise, a dentist must resolve tooth decay or gum disease before recommending cosmetic dentistry. Also, the dentist will explain alternative treatment methods for a healthy and aesthetically pleasing smile.

Request a Cosmetic Dentistry Consultation

During a cosmetic dentistry consultation, you can meet with the doctor to discuss your concerns about your teeth. The dentist may take pictures, scans, and x-rays of your teeth to assess their condition and whether porcelain veneers, Invisalign, or another treatment will give you the best results.

 

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.

Will Bonding Work for My Peg Lateral Teeth?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I have peg teeth on my left and right incisors. Also, the left tooth sticks out a little farther than my other teeth. I am self-conscious about my small teeth and do not smile for pictures. Is bonding enough to correct them, or will I need additional treatment? Thank you. Brielle from Spokane, WA

Brielle,

Thank you for choosing Dr. Delaune’s office for your question. Dr. Delaune would need to examine and x-ray your teeth to determine your treatment options, but we will discuss treatment in general.

What Are Peg Lateral Teeth?

Peg lateral teeth are lateral incisors located next to the central incisors (center front teeth). According to the American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics, peg laterals affect about two percent of the U.S. population. More women than men have small, misshaped lateral incisors. What cosmetic dentistry treatment can correct peg laterals?

What Are the Treatment Options for Peg Laterals?

Treatment options for peg lateral teeth may include cosmetic bonding, contouring, orthodontic treatment, porcelain crowns, or porcelain veneers. A dentist will examine your teeth and gums and x-ray them to evaluate their health and position. Your case may require one or more of these treatments:

  • Cosmetic bonding – A cosmetic dentist can blend composite to match the color and translucence of your natural teeth. Bonding is not as stain resistant and durable as porcelain veneers. The dentist will clean and lightly etch the tooth before applying a bonding agent to it. Afterward, the dentist will shape the composite to lengthen your small teeth. After hardening and further shaping your tooth, the dentist will polish it. Your lengthened teeth will seamlessly blend with your natural teeth. If you take diligent care of your teeth, the bonding can last ten years or more.
  • Gum contouring – Gum contouring is an option if it will not expose tooth roots and create sensitivity in your teeth. At times, dentists use gum contouring with porcelain veneers. A dental laser can shorten your gumline around your lateral incisors so they appear longer.
  • Orthodontic treatment – If your lateral incisors have not fully erupted or if they are not in the correct position, a cosmetic dentist may recommend orthodontic treatment.
  • Porcelain crowns – Dental crowns can cover peg lateral incisors. Your dentist may recommend crowns if your teeth are weak or otherwise unhealthy. Crowns require aggressive tooth preparation, so cosmetic dentists use them as a last option for restoring teeth. A dental ceramist can manipulate ceramic crowns to match your natural teeth.
  • Porcelain veneers – After preparing the fronts of your lateral incisors, a dentist can apply custom-made porcelain shells to them. Veneers are stain resistant and can last 15 years or longer if you take care of them and get regular maintenance from a cosmetic dentist.

Whether a dentist restores your peg laterals with porcelain veneers or another cosmetic dentistry treatment, the aesthetics and durability depend on the skill of your cosmetic dentist. We recommend scheduling consultations with two advanced cosmetic dentists to discuss and compare your options.

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

Before-and-after small teeth photos from Dr. Duane Delaune of Metairie, LA

Porcelain veneers photos from Dr. Duane Delaune of Metairie, Louisiana

What Tools Can I Use to Remove Porcelain Veneers?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I hate my porcelain veneers and am tired of talking to my dentist about them. I asked her to remove them, and she told me that I couldn’t go back to my natural teeth, so there was no need to remove them. She also insists that the veneers I have are what I ordered, but that is not true. I tried on veneers that I liked. The things she bonded onto my teeth look like fake model sets of teeth I used to see in the dentist’s office when I was a kid. They look that bad. I want to know how I can get the veneers off myself and what tools I can use. I can’t imagine my natural teeth looking bad because these were no-prep veneers. Please tell me how I can get the veneers off without hurting my teeth? I don’t want to pay another dentist to do anything to my teeth. Thank you. Walt

Walt – Thanks for your question.

What Tools Can You Use to Remove Porcelain Veneers?

porcelain veneer being placed on a tooth

Only a skilled cosmetic dentist can remove veneers safely

There are no tools that you can use to remove your porcelain veneers. Unless a dentist has the proper training, they would not be able to remove your veneers either.

A skilled cosmetic dentist has an inventory of dental tools to carefully etch the veneers off your natural teeth without damaging them. After the dentist removes your veneers, they will clean your teeth. The dentist can polish your natural teeth and rejuvenate them if you have no-prep veneers.

What If You Do Not Have No-Prep Veneers?

If your new dentist discovers that your teeth were prepared for porcelain veneers, you will need new veneers to replace them. You cannot leave your natural teeth exposed. They will be vulnerable to decay and fractures, so your new cosmetic dentist must cover and protect your teeth.

Find an experienced cosmetic dentist to examine your veneers and teeth. They will explain your treatment options.

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

How Can I Correct My Overlapped Teeth Without Braces?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

Young woman pondering - portrying concern over overlapped teeth and correcting them without bracesWhat is the best kind of dentist to improve my smile without braces? I travel extensively for business, so I do not have the time to commit to years of treatment and the progress-check appointments that go along with it. I have three upper teeth that slightly overlap the tooth next to them. A few of my bottom teeth are skewed also. What type of dentist would know how to correct all of this without braces, and how can I tell if the dentist is really qualified without trial and error? – Thank you. Bethany from NJ

Bethany,

Thank you for contacting our office. Although Dr. Delaune would need to examine your teeth and gums before recommending treatment options, we can offer a few suggestions.

Can You Correct Overlapped Teeth Without Braces?

You can correct overlapped teeth without braces by consulting a skilled cosmetic dentist. We will discuss why the treatment works and how to find the best dentist for your needs.

  • Porcelain veneers – A skilled cosmetic dentist can bond veneers to the fronts of your teeth to make them appear straight. They can give you a beautiful smile design with veneers that have the color and translucence of natural teeth. You can choose the shade you want, so your smile will also be brighter, too.
  • Cosmetic contouring – After a dentist takes x-rays to determine whether your teeth are healthy enough for this treatment, they can re-shape your teeth. A dentist can use a laser or sanding drill to remove minimal amounts of tooth structure. After re-shaping your teeth, the dentist will smooth and polish them.
  • Teeth whitening – Teeth whitening can make your smile brilliantly white before you receive porcelain veneers or after contouring. Brighter teeth will enhance a smile makeover. Whenever you receive porcelain restorations for your teeth, your dentist must complete whitening first to ensure the veneers match your newly whitened natural teeth.

Do not leave your cosmetic dentistry treatment to chance. An experienced cosmetic dentist is the best dentist for a smile makeover.

Finding the Best Dentist for Your Case

Use these steps to find the best dentist for your case:

  • Schedule consultations with at least two advanced cosmetic dentists.
  • Ask to see before-and-after pictures of smile makeover cases like yours.
  • Ask the dentists how they would resolve the issues with your teeth.
  • Ask how long the dentist has been practicing and how many cases like yours they have completed.
  • Check each dentist’s website for information on post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry and their credentials.

You will get beautiful, long-lasting results from a skilled cosmetic dentist.

 

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

Should I Get Crowns or Porcelain Veneers for 7 Teeth?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I have seven bad teeth and would like to know if I should ask for crowns or veneers. My teeth look horrible. Part of it is genetic and poor shape. But my teeth have never been anywhere close to white. Nobody in my family has good-looking teeth. The other part is my not caring for them like I should have when I was younger. Now that I am 33 and have dental coverage and the money to fix them, my teeth matter. If I get caps on the 7 teeth, how long will they last? Joelle

Joelle – If you take good care of crowns, they can last 15 years or more. But your teeth may not need porcelain crowns. We recommend that you have your teeth examined by a cosmetic dentist. Depending on the condition and location of your teeth, you may be able to receive porcelain veneers, which cover the front of your teeth. Back, or molar teeth, can be covered with crowns.

Benefits of porcelain veneers

porcelain veneer being placed on a tooth

Porcelain veneers are thin as a fingernail

Benefits of porcelain veneers include:

  • Preserve tooth structure. They require less removal of your natural tooth structure. A dental crown requires tapering the entire tooth so it will cover the tooth from the gumline to the biting surface
  • Lifelike, thin restorations. You can receive ultra-thin veneers that look just like natural teeth.
  • Quick smile transformation. A dentist can transform your smile in as few as two visits with this treatment.
  • Long-lasting results. Porcelain is durable, so if you take good care of your veneers, they can last 15 years or longer.

Many dentists can give you crowns or veneers, but only a dentist with an artistic eye and extensive training in cosmetic dentistry can give you beautiful results. A skilled cosmetic dentist will ensure your veneers match the characteristics of your natural teeth. If you invest in renewing your smile, be sure to visit an experienced cosmetic dentist for quality results.

 

Dr. Duane Delaune, an cosmetic dentist in Metairie, Louisiana, sponsors this post.

Is teeth grinding breaking my porcelain veneers?

Posted on 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.