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

Will porcelain veneers make me look like Mr. Ed?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I’ve had stained and broken front teeth most of my life and often find myself comparing my smile to everyone around me. There are those people whose smile is so beautiful and natural and then there are the ones you can tell have had work done and look like they have horse teeth. If I am spending thousands of dollars on veneers, how can I be assured a beautiful, natural-looking smile?  — Liv in Omaha

Dear Liv,
There’s no doubt that there have been a few Hollywood stars who have gotten porcelain veneers that were too big and looked like horse teeth. Choosing a cosmetic dentistry procedure is a huge investment in yourself and of course you want a smile that you can be proud to show the world.

Lumineers are thinner than traditional veneers and look very much like natural teeth. But, don’t settle on a specific treatment without consulting with an expert cosmetic dentist about all the options available to you – such as Lumineers, traditional veneers or composite veneers – and which will ultimately give you the results you are looking for.  During your initial consultation, be sure to share your concerns about bulky looking teeth. Your dentist needs to understand your expectations and what your ideal smile looks like so he can discuss the benefits and limitations of each procedure.

Regardless of what procedure you choose, any skilled and reputable dentist will want you to walk out of his or her office completely happy with your results.  If you ask to see before and after photos of similar work they have done on other patients – and also if they offer a Beautiful Smile Guarantee – you’ll be assured natural-looking teeth and the beginning of a new life with your new, beautiful smile.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Do porcelain veneers yellow?

Posted on by smiles4u.

Over the years, my teeth yellowed and I became very self-conscious about it. I saved up and recently had porcelain veneers put on, but realize that I never asked my dentist if my veneers will eventually start to discolor or yellow. I’ve spent way too much money to end up with ugly, yellow teeth again in a few years. Will my veneers yellow?
— Vicki

Vicki,
This is a great question and one that is asked quite often. Your porcelain veneers will not yellow, but that is not to say that veneers can’t take on a discolored appearance if the natural tooth they are bonded to picks up stains. If your teeth are susceptible to stains from coffee, dark sodas, berries, etc, your best bet is to avoid those things. And you should also avoid smoking, too.

Also, get rid of any whitening toothpastes you may have used in the past. While you want to keep your teeth white, these toothpastes are highly abrasive and can actually damage your veneers by breaking down the glaze that is designed to keep them white.

If you do consume any foods or drinks that stain your teeth, a good practice is to rinse your mouth immediately after eating or drinking. This will help assure you have that bright, beautiful smile for many years to come.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Can my 16-year-old get porcelain veneers?

Posted on by smiles4u.

My daughter’s front teeth are somewhat discolored, crooked, and one is larger than the other. She is only 16, but she has been begging me to let her get porcelain veneers. Is she too young?
— Anne in Michigan

Anne,
There is no set minimum age for veneers; however there are some risks when placing veneers on younger patients if they have not yet reached maximum jaw maturity. If place too early, the veneers may need to be redone a few years later if she experiences a growth spurt.  The bones and gums continue to develop as we age, and that can cause the porcelain edge of veneers placed too early to become exposed. Your 16-year-old may be a good candidate for veneers – it really depends on the condition of teeth, how crooked they are, and if they are fully developed. If you and your daughter fully understand that the veneers will likely need replaced once or twice later down the road, the decision is really more of a personal choice.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Porcelain Veneers are Irritaing my Gums

Posted on by smiles4u.

I recently had some of my teeth prepped for porcelain veneers. Right now I am wearing temporary veneers, but I have noticed that my gums around the prepped teeth are very irritated – even to the point of bleeding. Is something wrong? – Shelly in VA

Shelly,

If you’ve ever experienced a home remodel or something similar, you know that sometimes things have to get worse before they can get better. That is very true with the smile makeover you are undertaking. The treatment may have irritated your gums or the temporaries might be the culprit. The good news is that they will heal! Salt water rinsing a couple times a day is a great way to speed up healing, and also be sure to brush carefully and gently and avoid alcohol based mouth washes as they will try your gums out. Also, don’t be afraid to use ibuprofen, for pain and inflammation, or even Orajel. Talk to your dentist at your next visit – he should be to tell you how the healing process is going. Once you lay eyes on the beautiful finished product – your new smile – you’ll soon forget the pain in getting there!

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Did I ruin my porcelain veneers by using abrasive toothpaste?

Posted on by smiles4u.

Hello,
I started using Crest 3d Vivid toothpaste a couple of months ago. A friend of mine just told me I shouldn’t be using abrasive toothpaste on my porcelain veneers, and recommended Supersmile toothpaste. I’m concerned that I have made a very expensive mistake…that the abrasive toothpaste has either scratched my veneers or it will cause the glaze to come off and the shine will not last as long. Help!

John in California

John,
Your friend is correct in telling you that abrasive toothpastes are not ideal for porcelain veneers. However, you do not need to worry about it scratching the porcelain because porcelain is too hard. The issue is with the bonding composite used to attach the porcelain to your tooth — abrasive toothpaste will scratch or wear it away. Bonding composite forms a very thin line around the entire veneer and the thickness of it depends on the technique of the dentist and the ceramist (it could be anywhere from 100-200 microns or about the thickness of three to five hairs). Using abrasive toothpaste for only two months, you likely will not notice anything yet. If the bonding composite was scratched, it could eventually pick up stain and you would notice a line of stain around the veneer. The other issue with abrasive toothpaste is that it wears away the composite, forming what would be the equivalent of a tiny “ditch” around the veneer. This ditch would attract plaque and eventually start decaying.

Just like your care needs regular maintenance to keep working properly, think of Supersmile toothpaste as great “maintenance” product for your expensive cosmetic dental work. If you use Supersmile on a regular basis from here on out, you should be smiling for many years to come.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Is it possible to refurbish my 20-year-old porcelain veneers?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I’ve had porcelain veneers for 20 years and they have lasted just about the length of time my dentist said they would. I got them because my teeth were stained by tetracycline and at the time, whitening treatments were not readily available like they are today. I would have liked to have gone that route, but my dentist said whitening treatments aren’t really effective on tetracycline stains.

I’ve been pretty happy with my teeth, however, in the last six months to a year, I have noticed a gap forming between the veneers. When I eat, food seems to get caught. Also, I am starting to have a space at the top of the veneers and the gum line. Can my veneers be removed for new ones or is there a way that I can “refurbish” them? — Nancy

Nancy,
Your dentist was correct in the fact that teeth whitening or bleaching is not a good option for tetracycline staining. Even if you had been able to lighten your teeth, they would never have been perfectly white.

It is possible to touch up porcelain veneers by polishing them and smoothing off the margins. However, what you are describing sounds like you might need to have them replaced. The space developing between the veneer and your gumline is likely a result of your gums receding a little and exposing some of the tooth. With tetracycline staining such as yours, it could be noticeable if the space continues to get worse.

If you have to go the replacement route, be sure to do your homework. Many dentists who say they can cover tetracycline stains often lack the skill and artistry required for true, high quality cosmetic dentistry – and these stubborn stains require the best cosmetic dentist you can find.

As for the life expectancy of veneers – even though your dentist told you they would last twenty years they could have possibly lasted longer. Your situation sounds more like the issues may have been caused from changes specific to your teeth, rather than the veneers deteriorating themselves.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

How can I avoid my sister’s porcelain veneer nightmare?

Posted on by smiles4u.

My sister and I are grown adults with families, careers and homes of our own and yet, it always seems like we are competing against one another in everything – even our smiles. I have some spaces between my teeth and a few chips here and there that have made me self-conscious over the years so I decided to start saving for veneers. My sister found out and of course, she had to get veneers before me.

She has had nothing but problems with hers. I’m not sure how to explain it, but I don’t think they look natural at all. They seem to be the right color, but they look fake. I am not sure if this is a result of something she has done, but a couple of them have fallen off.  It has taken me quite a while to save up for this so I don’t want to have these same problems. How can I be sure I get a beautiful smile that lasts?

Sincerely,
Lisa

Dear Lisa,
It sounds like that crazy competitive spirit has followed you and your sister into adulthood and oftentimes these competitions can become quite ugly. But look at it this way… thanks to your sister you can save yourself from making the same costly mistakes.

The color and your perception that your sister’s porcelain veneers look fake likely has to do with the translucency. Our natural teeth absorb and reflect light, and when veneers are made to look too solid, they tend to look fake. If a dentist isn’t skilled in cosmetic dentistry and have additional training, they often can’t achieve a natural look because they don’t know how to match the opacity of a real tooth – which is just as important as matching color.

Also, veneers should not fall off. You need not be concerned that your sister did something to make that happen. Poor lab work when the veneers were created could be the problem, or an unskilled dentist doing the work.  If done correctly, porcelain veneers are extremely durable and should last for ten years or longer.

There’s a saying that goes, “I smile because you’re my sister.  I laugh because there’s nothing you can do about it.”  Do your homework and find an expert cosmetic dentist so you’re guaranteed to be smiling for years to come.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Can I get Lumineers over my caps?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I have old caps on my teeth. They are totally worn down. I like the look of Lumineers over caps. Can I get Lumineers put over the caps? Hanah

Hanah,

Lumineers, or porcelain veneers, cannot be placed over crowns, or caps. Lumineers are bonded to your natural teeth.

When you receive a dental crown, your tooth is shaved down to accommodate it. Once you receive crowns, you are unable to receive veneers. But you can visit a skilled cosmetic dentist who will provide you with new crowns that look so beautiful and natural that people will think they are your natural teeth.

Schedule consultations with a few cosmetic dentists to discuss your treatment options.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Find out why so many people consider him to be one of the best dentists in New Orleans.

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.

My tetracycline stains are showing through my porcelain veneers

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I have very dark tetracycline stains on my teeth. My dentist told me that he could cover the stains with porcelain veneers. I trusted him because I have seen this dentist since 2002. Two weeks ago, I got the porcelain veneers. My teeth now look light gray. The stains are still showing through. Last Friday, I spoke with my dentist and he said that he did the best he could and that at least my teeth are not a very dark shade of gray. If porcelain veneers can’t really make my teeth look white, why did my dentist tell me he could cover the stains? Thanks Autumn

Autumn – Porcelain veneers can successfully cover tetracycline stains, but only if the veneers are placed by a skilled, artistic cosmetic dentist.

The porcelain needs to be manipulated so that it covers the tetracycline stains, but also has the color and translucency of natural teeth. Only an artistic cosmetic dentist has the skill to accomplish this difficult task.

It sounds as if your veneers are too translucent, so the color of the stains on your natural teeth is showing through.

Speak with your dentist about your desire to have a natural-looking smile. Let him know that the veneers you currently have do not meet your expectations. He may work with you to cover at least some of the cost of having your porcelain veneers expertly placed by a skilled cosmetic dentist.

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