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Will No-Prep Veneers Work for My Teeth?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I have seen and compared no-prep veneers before and after pictures on several dental websites. Sometimes they look good and other times they do not. I am concerned about how they will look on my teeth. I do not know whether it is a coincidence, but it seems that the pictures that look good are mostly of people who wanted to make their small teeth larger. Only a few dentists’ patient photos look good in every case. My tooth size is fine, but I would like veneers to correct the shape of three teeth and another tooth that slightly overlaps the tooth immediately to the left. Will no-prep veneers work for my case? Can anyone get no-prep veneers? – Thanks. D’Andre from TN

 

D’Andre,

Thank you for your question.

Although Dr. Delaune would need to examine your teeth to determine whether you are a candidate for no-prep veneers, we will answer your question in general.

Will No-Prep Veneers Work for Your Teeth?

Although many patients ask for no-prep veneers, it does not mean that they will look good on your teeth or improve your smile. Skilled cosmetic dentists are careful with patient cases when asked to place no-prep veneers. Most often, without preparation, teeth can look large and bulky. Advanced cosmetic dentists are upfront about how no-prep veneers will look on you.

What Are Minimal-Prep Veneers?

Minimal-prep veneers require a cosmetic dentist to reduce only 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm of tooth enamel. Removing a tiny amount of enamel allows your veneers to fit nicely over your tooth and around your gum line. Minimal preparation can help veneers look natural on large, misshapen, uneven, or misaligned teeth.

If one of your teeth slightly overlaps, a cosmetic dentist must trim the tooth to get a beautiful result. Without preparation, the tooth will stick out even further.

Ultra-Thin Veneers

A skilled cosmetic dentist completes beautiful smiles by blending ultra-thin veneers with conservative tooth preparation. They choose veneer brands based on stunning results—not because they are popular no-prep brands, such as Lumineers, advertised on TV. Remember, even an ultra-thin veneer often requires tooth preparation depending on the condition and position of your natural teeth and the look you want to achieve.

Schedule Porcelain Veneers Consultations

We recommend scheduling consultations with two cosmetic dentists to compare their treatment recommendations for improving your smile with conservative tooth preparation and veneers. Each dentist should explain whether they would prepare your teeth and why.

What you can do:

  • Look for dentists with advanced cosmetic dentistry training.
  • Prepare your questions for the consultations and take notes.
  • Ask to see each dentist’s smile gallery of their porcelain veneers patients.

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

Before and after minimal prep porcelain veneers photos

An example of the results Dr. Delaune achieves with minimal-prep porcelain veneers

Can I Trust This Dentist for No-Prep Veneers?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I understand that Dr. [name withheld] [ is a premier Lumineers dentist. His Instagram page is highly active and has thousands of followers, too. And it seems that some people travel to his office for Lumineers. I am researching Lumineers and other no-prep veneers because I do not want my teeth shaved down. I want to go with a brand that is known for preserving my tooth enamel. Do you mind checking the doctor’s credentials and letting me know if I can trust that he has enough cosmetic dentistry training to know how to give me Lumineers or other veneers without tooth prep? I would hate to travel five hours and be disappointed. Thank you, Karson from Georgia

Karson,

Unfortunately, we cannot find evidence on Dr. [name withheld]’s website or otherwise about his cosmetic dentistry training. We even checked for membership with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. If you want to pursue treatment with the dentist, you can call the office or schedule a consultation and ask for information about his post-graduate training in aesthetics. But we have insight to share with you.

Porcelain Veneers and Shaved Down Teeth

We are interested in your concerns that a dentist will shave your teeth down for porcelain veneers. When expert cosmetic dentists place veneers, they preserve as much tooth enamel as possible.  Shaving down teeth describes the dental crown process—not porcelain veneers.

About tooth preparation for porcelain veneers

  • If your teeth require preparation a dentist will remove a fraction of a millimeter of tooth enamel
  • From a conversational distance, people cannot tell your teeth are prepared
  • Teeth are only prepared to prevent your veneers from looking bulky and to produce natural-looking results

Results with No-Prep Veneers

Sometimes conversative preparation will prevent bulky looking veneers. Lumineers are known for looking pasty and bulky. An expert cosmetic dentist will explain the result you can expect with or without preparation.

Rather than choosing a brand of veneers, look for an experienced cosmetic dentist. Schedule a consultation with one or two cosmetic dentists and discuss your options.

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

Before and after minimal prep porcelain veneers photos

Porcelain veneers photos of Dr. Delaune’s patient

 

New Bonding on Canine Teeth Is Yellow – How to Resolve It

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I asked my dentist for bonding on my canine teeth because they were noticeably shorter than the teeth on either side. I also wanted my teeth whitened, so my dentist completed it last November before bonding. My appointment for bonding was in January. Although my dentist assured me that she would blend shades to match my teeth, the bonded teeth were yellow when she asked me to look in the mirror and smile. Neither she nor I had time to correct it that day.

I returned to her office later in the month, and she took off the original bonding and replaced it. She kept saying how much I would love the results as she was applying them. I was almost in tears to see yellow bonding again that looked somewhat DARKER than the original bonding she placed. I’ve been fortunate to work from home, so no one I see on video conferences can look at my teeth long enough to notice how yellow the canines are.

My dentist’s office called me to schedule an appointment. I declined, but my dentist called me two days later and said that she might need to replace it with porcelain veneers if the bonding didn’t work this time. I politely told her that I was not getting porcelain veneers. I didn’t reschedule with her because I’m skeptical. Is it possible that my dentist has ruined my teeth by adding and removing bonding, and I need porcelain veneers? Carlton from NV

Carlton,

We agree that you should be hesitant about letting your dentist correct the bonding on your canine teeth. No doubt, the bonding is even more noticeable because your natural teeth are even whiter after getting them bleached. We recommend that you find an advanced cosmetic dentist to do it.

Although you may not be able to legally force your dentist to compensate you for getting the work corrected, you can politely ask her and mention any of the possibilities below—whatever you think might get a response from her:

  • Hiring an attorney
  • Complaining to the dental board
  • Submitting a negative online review

Direct Dental Bonding

Only an artistic dentist achieves beautiful results with direct dental bonding. Any dentist can remove the bonding on your canine teeth and reapply it, but it takes an artist and specific technique to make bonding look natural and blend with the surrounding teeth.

Porcelain Veneers vs. Bonding

Although veneers produce beautiful results, you asked for dental bonding. A skilled cosmetic dentist can lengthen your canine teeth with bonding. It’s doubtful that your dentist ruined your teeth. It’s more likely that she doesn’t understand how to manipulate bonding to match your natural teeth.

Cosmetic Dentistry Is an Art

  • Dental school training isn’t enough – Dentists need advanced training to understand color, translucence, and gloss and achieve natural-looking results with bonding. It takes advanced training to become skilled in cosmetic dentistry, and few dentists are dedicated to refining their skills.
  • It takes an artist – Most people who become dentists want to fix things, but 95% of dentists aren’t artistic. They often don’t think extra training is necessary. And they are satisfied when the results look okay. However, the artistic dentist wants your smile to look natural and beautiful. Some dentists may not be concerned about yellow canine teeth resulting from dental bonding.
  • It takes advanced training – Although cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized specialty, it takes time to study it and achieve good results. Artistic dentists aren’t satisfied until you love your smile. They have a lifetime commitment to receive training that helps them refine their art.

How Can You Find a Top Cosmetic Dentist?

Follow the steps listed below to find a top cosmetic dentist who will enhance your smile.

  • Ask friends or acquaintances for recommendations.
  • Visit the dentists’ websites to confirm that they participate in ongoing training.
  • Look for the dentists’ affiliation or credentials with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
  • Find the smile gallery of patients’ before-and-after photos on the website. If the dentist doesn’t have a smile gallery, maybe they aren’t proud of their work.
  • Schedule a consultation with at least two cosmetic dentists, ask questions, and ask to see photos of dental bonding.

Best wishes for a confident smile.

 

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

Before and after dental bonding smile

An example from Dr. Delaune of how a cosmetic dentist can product beautiful results with dental bonding.

My dental phobia is out of control

Posted on by AllSmiles.

My dental phobia is out of control. I am saying this because I have 2 missing teeth that I want to replace with implants. I think that I also need orthodontics because my teeth are shifting badly. The teeth have been missing for 4 years. I still go to the dentist for cleanings (and I am nervous during that) but getting the thought work done like the implants and orthodontics is making me nauseous. My dentist is not sympathetic or patient with my questions. He keeps telling me that I will be fine, but that’s not helpful. I am frustrated. Typically, how painful is the work that I need to be done? – Lance from Harrisburg, PA

Lance –

Thank you for contacting our office with your question.

Painless Dental Care

The dental treatment you need can be painless—especially if you see a gentle dentist who cares about your anxiety.

A gentle dentist has methods to ensure that any injections you might need are painless. And the dentist will help you relax during your appointment. Your phobia won’t be an issue, and you will have a productive dental appointment. This will help the dentist complete as much work as possible in one appointment.

You will benefit by finding two or three dentists who offer sedation. Request a consultation with each of them. Explain your dental phobia, ask questions about the treatment you need, and take notes. Your interaction with the dentists will help you decide whom you are most comfortable with for your dental care.

You are interested in dental implants, so for best results, look for a dentist with advanced implant and cosmetic dentistry training. It will ensure that you get high-quality implants that look natural.

Comfortable Recovery

Diagram of three phases of dental implants for info about dental anxiety and implants

You can get dental implants despite your dental phobia

You can expect discomfort after dental implant surgery, but your dentist or oral surgeon will explain how to manage it. Follow their pre- and post-operative care instructions to make your recovery as comfortable as possible.

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

Will Lingering Sensitivity After a White Filling Lead to an Extraction?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I am afraid that lingering sensitivity after a white filling is going to require a dental implant. Last April, after my dentist filled my tooth, it became sensitive to cold. I returned to the dentist, and she said that the cavity was so deep that the tooth might be irritated. She recommended putting a temporary crown over the tooth and later a root canal if the sensitivity continued. The tooth is still sensitive, but I am hesitant about getting a root canal. If I do not get a root canal, is there a chance of losing the tooth and needing an implant? – Thanks. Dean from PA

Dean,

Thank you for your question.

Will Lingering Sensitivity After a White Filling Lead to Root Canal or Extraction?

Whether lingering sensitivity after a filling requires root canal treatment depends on the status of your tooth. If the sensitivity gets worse, it is probably due to an infection that requires root canal treatment.

What Causes Delayed Sensitivity After a Filling?

Delayed sensitivity after a filling may mean that some decay got into the tooth pulp. Sometimes your body’s defenses will get rid of the infection.

Will You Need an Extraction?

Three dental implants

Lingering tooth sensitivity should not lead to an extraction and implant unless you neglect the tooth

You will not need an extraction and dental implant unless the sensitivity worsens and you leave it untreated. You are seeking help, so it seems to be an unlikely scenario for you. Even so, despite what you may have heard, dentists make root canal treatment painless. If you have dental anxiety, ask your dentist about sedation options.

 

We do not understand your dentist’s work on your tooth or why she placed a crown over a sensitive tooth. But if a tooth is sensitive after a white filling, it is best to give it time to recover. Sometimes, the more you do to a tooth, irritation will increase. If the tooth gets worse, you can give your dentist a chance to resolve it, or you can get a second opinion.

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.

What is causing tooth sensitivity near my gumline?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

For the past few weeks, my left first molar has been sensitive. It is hoe sensitive to heat or cold, but it is sensitive to pressure near the gumline. I get regular cleanings at the dentist. Could this be tooth decay that my dentist has not detected? I stopped using my teeth whitening trays because it makes the sensitivity worse. – Thank you. Xavier from Oklahoma City

Xavier,

Thank you for your question.

Continuous tooth irritation can lead to nerve damage and root canal treatment. When teeth are sensitive to heat and cold, it Is a symptom of progressing infection. But if you only feel sensitivity to the touch in a spot, hear your gumline, your dentist can seal the area with a small filling to relieve the sensitivity.

What Causes Sensitivity Near the Gumline?

Woman's mouth clenching teeth - for info on tooth sensitivity from Metairie dentist Duane Delaune, DDS

Teeth clenching and grinding can cause sensitivity

Teeth flex for several reasons, including:

  • Chewing food
  • Grinding teeth
  • Clenching teeth

Grinding and clenching increase the pressure on teeth and cause more damage to them. If you clench or grind your teeth, consider asking your dentist for a custom night guard, an oral appliance you can wear at night. A night guard will minimize the impact on your teeth.

It is challenging for many dentists to get fillings to adhere in the grooves without popping out. But flexible filling material, such as a microfill composite will stick. Your dentist must keep your tooth dry while applying composite to ensure a firm bond.

Summary

Sensitivity near the gumline is not always a symptom of tooth decay. If you have bulges in a tooth, your dentist can seal it or use a small amount of microfill to eliminate the sensitivity.

If your dentist cannot resolve the issue, we recommend scheduling an appointment with a skilled cosmetic dentist to place the filling. After the sensitivity resolves, you can resume teeth whitening treatment.

 

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