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Help…my gums look uneven after porcelain veneers

Posted on by smiles4u.

I recently saved up to get porcelain veneers and was so excited when I was finally able to get the appointment scheduled and get the process going. One of the main things I was concerned about was how uneven the bottoms of my teeth were. My dentist assured me that the veneers would look great and I even tried them on before they were cemented and was very pleased with how they looked. Now that they are permanently placed and I’ve had more time to really look at them, I’m noticing that my gums look uneven. I didn’t see it before the veneers, so I’m not sure if they did something wrong? It’s frustrating because I’m still not happy with how my smile looks. Can my dentist fix this or is it something I will just have to learn to live with? — Annika

Annika,
Did your dentist mention that he would have to make any adjustments to your gums as part of your porcelain veneer prep? The technical term he would likely use would be “gingivectomy” or “gingival surgery” but some dentists will refer to it as “recontouring “ or even a “ginge.” A procedure such as this should have been discuss with you up front so that you could give your consent, but if it was done in a more casual, conversational manner maybe there was a miscommunication. However, if you don’t remember addressing the topic at all, it likely wasn’t done. The fact that you are noticing the uneven gums now is probably because your teeth are straighter. You should ask your dentist for sure, however.

Any gumline issues should be talked about during the consultation process, and if any reshaping is needed it’s done during the preparation. There is no way to correct the problem now because removing gum tissue will likely expose the margin. Not only will that look even worse asthetically, it also puts your teeth at risk of decay. Schedule a follow-up appointment so you can talk to your dentist about your concerns. Unfortunately, the only way to fix this issue would be to request a do-over.

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

My sister looks like bugs bunny!

Posted on by smiles4u.

I have an identical twin sister and we happen to have identical teeth, too (they’re slightly crooked and small). For as long as I can remember, we’ve both talked about getting porcelain veneers, and she actually went ahead and had them placed by her regular dentist. While I’m glad she decided to do it, I’m trying to figure out the best way to tell her that I think they look totally fake and unnatural. To be honest, she looks like Bugs Bunny and I have to wonder if the dentist didn’t do them correctly. Her veneers look bulky and big, so I’m wondering if they can be shaved a little to make them look smaller? If they can, I might consider telling her what I think. If not, any idea what could have gone wrong? If I decide to get mine done, I want to be sure I don’t end up with the same issue. — Anika in Oklahoma

Anika,
If you and your sister are used to being honest about everything, it might be hard to keep your feelings to yourself. If you do decide to tell her what you think, be gentle and just present it as your opinion. Start the conversation by asking her if she’s happy with the length of her veneers. If she says she is, it would probably be best to leave it at that and let it go. But, if she’s not happy, you can tell her that her dentist may be able to shorten them a little, depending on the type of porcelain veneer he used and how it was prepared.

As you start thinking about your own procedure, tell your dentist up front what your expectations are and about your sister’s results. Taking a photo of her would be helpful so that he/she can understand what you consider to be too long. You may find that hers are a perfectly natural length and it’s just going to take some getting used to. Also, make sure your dentist will let you “test-drive” the porcelain veneers before they are permanently bonded. This will allow you to see exactly how they look and feel, plus give your dentist the opportunity to send them back for any adjustments that may needed.

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

Tired of my Lumineers falling off!

Posted on by smiles4u.

I was so excited to have Lumineers placed on several of my teeth a few months back, but now they keep falling off. I’ve had to go back to my dentist to have same tooth re-bonded three times and this time I accidentally swallowed the veneer. When I asked my dentist what I should do, he suggested traditional porcelain veneers – to the tune of $1200 per tooth! It took me a long time just to save up for the Lumineers, and now he wants me to hand over even more money? What can I do? — Bradee in Tennessee

Bradee,
It sounds like your Lumineers aren’t giving you much to smile about these days… and it probably doesn’t make you feel any better to know that there are many people who have had similar experiences. Today, Lumineers are one of the most marketed brands of ultra-thin porcelain veneers. Because they are promoted it as being “no-prep” and easy to place, many dentists believe they can deliver an aesthetically pleasing product with a good outcome. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case because much like traditional porcelain veneers, Lumineers require a true cosmetic dentist who not only has an artistic eye, but uses high quality materials. Seeking an opinion of another true cosmetic dentist would be a good idea in your case. If, after that, you decide to stick with your current dentist and do the porcelain veneers, see if he will credit what you paid for the Lumineers toward the new procedure. If he wants you to truly be happy, he will do all he can to help make your situation right.

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

I’m ready to say goodbye to my gap… what are my options?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I’ve had a gap between my front teeth for as long as I can remember. I’ll be turning 40 soon and I’d like to start this next phase of my life by getting it fixed. My dentist recommended braces, but I’d like to explore other options that might not take as long to see a result. His other option was porcelain veneers, which seemed ok at first, but now that I have learned more about the procedure, I am not sure about having my teeth shaved down. So now I am back to braces unless there is another alternative. Can you help?  — Felicia in Arkansas

Felicia,
Kudos to you for reaching such a milestone and wanting to look and feel fabulous. The good news is that you have a couple other choices in addition to the two your dentist mentioned that will get you the result you desire:

  • Bonding – If you’re simply looking to fill in a small gap (and your dentist is skilled in bonding) he can add a tooth-colored material to either side to fill it in. Bonding is less invasive and requires less tooth preparation than veneers.
  • Six Month Smiles – This procedure utilizes clear braces to correct aesthetic issues, often producing results in as little as four months. It’s a great choice if you only need to correct the appearance of your teeth and don’t need any adjustments to your bite. While they are a great alternative to traditional braces, many dentists are not experienced with Six Month Smiles. You may have to search for an experienced dentist and they will have to evaluate whether or not you are even a candidate.

Definitely do your research and don’t be afraid to seek out a second opinion when considering all your options. Regardless of what method you choose, you’ll get beautiful results. However, Six Month Smiles will be the least-invasive – and quickest way to help you achieve that “fabulous at 40” smile!

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

Why are my veneers yellowing and looking black at the top?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I am so depressed about my teeth right now. I have a class reunion coming up and I don’t even want to go because my teeth look so bad. When I was 16 I had two veneers placed on my front teeth and now, 16 years later they are yellow… and, to make matters even worse, they look black at the top. What is causing them to look this way and can anything be done to fix them?  — Leisha in Nebraska

Leisha,
There’s no reason why porcelain veneers shouldn’t last 16 years if you are taking good care of them. And they definitely shouldn’t be turning yellow, unless for some reason you had them cleaned with a power polishing spray such as the Prophy Jet. This type of cleaning can cause porcelain veneers to lose their glaze and start to yellow. If, however, your veneers are composite, they can discolor quite easily and quickly – especially if you are eating or drinking foods and beverages that can stain or if you smoke.

If you are noticing black at the gumline, that is a whole other issue and could be a sign of leakage from the bond failing. If a dentist isn’t skilled or simply is careless during the bonding procedure, fluid can seep up from the gums and contaminate the bond. Over time, this contamination will cause the veneer to blacken near the gumline. If this is happening, the veneers absolutely need to be replaced because the leakage will lead to decay underneath them. If the decay continues to spread, it can cause even more damage. So, replace the veneers, not only to get the smile you love back, but to ensure the future health of your teeth.

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.

What can I do to cover tetracycline stains?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I have had gray stained teeth as a result of tetracycline for many years. All I really want is to have nice, white teeth. I’ve seen and heard a lot of negative stories about porcelain veneers and Lumineers. I’ve also researched bonding. What procedure would give the best results for my situation? — Adrianna in Tennessee

Adrianna,
Tetracycline stains the teeth from the inside out and are very difficult to remedy – particularly with traditional teeth whitening. The best procedure to mask the stains is probably porcelain veneers. While Lumineers might be a cheaper option, keep in mind that they are very thin and the dark enamel might show through. You’ll have similar problems with cosmetic bonding, plus bonding is also susceptible to staining and it is not as durable as porcelain veneers.

Porcelain veneers will give you the best result because they will completely mask  and cover the dark enamel. What’s even better is that the procedure is much less invasive compared to other treatments (i.e. porcelain crowns) and if you have them done by an expert cosmetic dentist,  you shouldn’t have any pain or sensitivity. The result will be a beautiful, natural-looking smile you will be proud to show your family and friends.

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.

Unhappy with my porcelain veneers… shouldn’t my dentist be required to fix them?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I am wondering what I should about the porcelain veneers I recently had placed… I am so unhappy with them. I can see two problems with them: 1) my canine teeth look crooked and 2) I noticed a little line above my left front tooth and wonder if it is my natural tooth surface showing through. When I went back to my dentist with my concerns, he refused to do anything about the line because he said it was barely noticeable. I spent so much money and now I am afraid that area might decay. I chose porcelain veneers because I had old bonding that needed to be replaced, but now I am just as insecure with my smile as I was before. Is it really not a big deal and I am just being difficult? What should I do? — Lizzi in Atlanta

Lizzi,
It sounds like you have a couple of things going on here. To address the issue of your dissatisfaction with how your smile looks, it is quite disappointing that your dentist didn’t do a better job of letting you see what your smile was going to look like before permanently bonding it. Good cosmetic dentists want to always make sure you see exactly how your porcelain veneers will look, and will even let another family member or a friend look at them with you. They may even offer a beautiful smile guarantee because their first priority is making sure you absolutely love your new smile.

As a patient, you have a right to ask him to re-do what you don’t like… particularly the crooked canine teeth. As far as the line at your gumline, unless there is a groove or ledge that could “catch” decay, you tooth is not going to be vulnerable, so he does have a point there.

The other issue at hand is the difference between a true cosmetic dentist and a general dentist who “likes” to do cosmetic dentistry. A good cosmetic dentist understands: 1) that he or she is not just treating a patient, they are treating the self image of the patient, and 2) if the patient is unhappy, he or she has failed. Good cosmetic dentists will want you to leave the office absolutely loving your smile, and if you don’t they will make any and all adjustment needed to achieve that end.

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.