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What can be done for tetracycline stains?

Posted on by smiles4u.

Hello,

I am in need of a solution for covering the dark tetracycline stains on my teeth. A friend of mine had veneers put on several years ago for the same reason, but hers look bulky and fake. The dentist said that opaque veneers were best for covering dark stains. How can I cover my dark stains, but still have a natural-looking smile that doesn’t look fake?

— Anne

Anne,

Tetracycline stains can be difficult to cover, but it has been successfully done for many years. Unfortunately, there are many dentists who claim to be skilled in cosmetic dentistry who have just never taken the time to learn the techniques and the results patients achieve are exactly as you describe. Another common issue with dark stains is that when dentists bond the veneers, the teeth are not covered at the edges, resulting in a halo effect.

The first step in getting the smile you want is choosing the right dentist – one that is an expert in cosmetic dentistry, who, like Dr. Delaune, has mastered the techniques required to cover tetracycline stains. You won’t find these types of dentists simply by opening the phone book. You must do your homework. When interviewing potential cosmetic dentists, ask for testimonials from patients who have achieved the results you are looking for as well as before and after photos of their work. Any cosmetic dentist who takes pride in their work will be happy to show you why they are the best choice for your smile makeover.

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.

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 off if I don’t like them?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I want Lumineers for 2 of my teeth that are really shaped so bad that they don’t look like teeth. If I get Lumineers and don’t like them can I get them taken off? – Jill

Jill – Before you make a final decision about Lumineers, find a skilled cosmetic dentist to examine your teeth. Lumineers may or may not be the recommended treatment.

Depending on the size and shape of the two teeth, it may be possible to reshape them. And depending on the location of your teeth, porcelain crowns may be preferably—to withstand the biting force of side and back teeth.

If you receive Lumineers or any other brand of porcelain veneers, they can be removed, but they will still require some time of cosmetic treatment. Your natural tooth is lightly shaved to accommodate a porcelain veneer, so if a veneer is removed, another veneer must be put in its place, or the tooth will need to be concealed with a porcelain crown.

Find an experienced cosmetic dentist to receive an exam and to discuss your options.

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

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.

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.

Lumineers to get my Hollywood smile?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I am looking at some celebrity photos and their teeth look the perfect size and very white. Did some of them have to get lumineers to get a smile like that or could teeth whitening do it? I want the same kind of Hollywood smile. – Ariel

Ariel – Lumineers, a brand of porcelain veneers, can make your teeth their whitest and look larger, but they may not be the best option for you. In fact, you may not need porcelain veneers at all to make your teeth look larger and whiter.

If you are thinking about getting a smile makeover, see a cosmetic dentist. If your gumline is low on your teeth, it can make them look smaller. Gum contouring can be done to reduce the size of your gumline and make your teeth look larger.

Teeth whitening from a cosmetic dentist can get your teeth brilliantly white.

We can’t recommend any treatment for you without an examination, but visit an experienced cosmetic dentist to find out your options for enhancing your smile.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Many patients think he is the best dentist in New Orleans.

Is it important to finish the root canal treatment?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

My dentist started a root canal on one of my teeth but she couldn’t  finish it because the root was longer than expected. When she used longer files, I had a lot of pain. So she stopped. The office called my insurance company and got approval for me to see an endodontist. Is it really necessary to complete the root canal or can I just get the tooth capped? – Jade

Jade – A root canal treatment is performed because there is an infection in your tooth. In order to ensure that the infection is removed, the entire pulp of the tooth, including the tips of the roots must be cleaned out and sealed off. If you leave the tooth untreated, the infection will linger and there is a possibility of it continuing to spread.

The tooth will need to be protected with a dental crown, frequently called a “cap,” but it’s important to ensure the infection is removed first.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune, a New Orleans Magazine Top Dentist whom many patients think is the best dentist in New Orleans.