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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.

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.

Which is better Lumineers or Veneers?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I have 4 front teeth with heavy stains on them. Between Lumineers and Veneers which is better? Pros and cons? – Amber

Amber – Lumineers are veneers. Lumineers is just one brand name of porcelain veneers. There are many other brand  names of porcelain veneers. Lumineers are ultra-thin, very hard, and are often placed with no preparation to the teeth.

There are other brands of porcelain veneers that are just as thin and durable as Lumineers. Lumineers has a lab that makes their porcelain veneers, and many dentists feel that the results are not personalized to the patient.

There are cosmetic dentists who prefer other brands of porcelain veneers, because they get better results with them. These dentists have a private master ceramist who personalizes the veneers to the individual patient. The result is that you can’t tell the difference between the veneers and your natural teeth.

Speak with an experienced cosmetic dentist regarding your particular situation to determine which brand of porcelain veneers is best for your case.

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

Quality porcelain veneers that don’t fall off

Posted on by AllSmiles.

We receive many inquiries to our website from people who are not our patients, but whose porcelain veneers fall off—some whose veneers keep falling off, even though they have been re-bonded.

Porcelain veneers should last 15 to 20 years or longer, depending on how well you take care of them. But the duration of the veneers also depends on how well they are bonded to your teeth and how well they are cared for during dental cleanings.

An experienced cosmetic dentist like Dr. Duane Delaune will ensure that your porcelain veneers are properly bonded so they remain secured to your natural teeth, and properly cared for during dental cleanings so they maintain their beautiful glaze and shine. He was voted a Top Dentist by New Orleans magazine. If your porcelain veneer has somehow been damaged, Dr. Delaune will give you an honest assessment as to whether it can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced. But he won’t pressure you to have any treatment.

If you don’t have porcelain veneers yet, but are interested in getting them, learn from the experience of others. Quality, natural-looking porcelain veneers come from an artistic, skilled cosmetic dentist. Don’t shop around for cheap or inexpensive veneers. You may regret that decision. The bargain price may mean a sacrifice in the quality of the veneers, or improper bonding.

Dr. Delaune offers a complimentary consultation if you’re interested in getting porcelain new veneers.

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

Looking for cosmetic dentist to do Lumineers

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I had two consultations with cosmetic dentists for Lumineers and I don’t like the pictures that they showed me. I thought that most of the patients teeth in the pictures looked bulky. How can I find a cosmetic dentist who will do a beautiful job with Lumineers.  Marianne R. from New Orleans

Marianne – Lumineers are popular, partially because there a lot of advertisements for them. There are other brands of porcelain veneers that are also ultra-thin and strong, but won’t produce the bulky look that you mentioned.

You can find an artistic cosmetic dentist through the website mynewsmile.com.

Some cosmetic dentists criticize the lab that makes Lumineers because the end result is often bulky, and it doesn’t look natural. Although a skilled cosmetic dentist might use a different brand of porcelain veneers, he or she will use a private master ceramist who will customize the veneers to fit your facial features and personality. Many cosmetic dentists have a beautiful smile guarantee, which means that your veneers will be adjusted or completely re-done until you love your smile makeover.

Because Lumineers are known for potentially looking bulky and having a pasty color, if you insist on having on them, you might be disappointed with the results.

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

Tetracycline stains – can teeth whitening help?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

Hello. I have permanent grayish stains on my teeth from medicine that was given to me as a baby. I had dental bonding put on my teeth to cover up the stains, but now the bonding is chipping and it looks a mess. It almost starting to look as bad as the original stains did. I know that porcelain veneers are the best choice, but I don’t have money for that. Is there a whitener that will help? Thank you. – Bobbie, Metairie

Bobbie,

The gray stains on your teeth are tetracycline stains. If tetracycline is taken while your teeth are forming, it deposits in your teeth and discolors them with gray or dark brown stains or bands.

An experienced cosmetic dentist can cover the stains with porcelain veneers, and create a new smile that looks like your natural teeth.

If veneers are not within your budget, here are two treatments that an experienced cosmetic dentist can use:

  1. If some of your tooth enamel was not removed before the bonding was placed, the dentist can remove the bonding with sandpaper disks. In many states, and at a lower fee, a dental hygienist can remove the bonding. Then, you can get an at-home teeth whitening system from the dentist, which you’ll use every night for a couple of months. The at-home treatment is less expensive than in-office treatment. Although your teeth won’t look as good as they would with porcelain veneers, they will look much better. Over-the-counter teeth whitening products are not strong enough for tetracycline stains. If you can afford in-office teeth whitening, choose KöR® Whitening Deep Bleaching™ System. KöR has proven to be the most effective teeth bleaching treatment for tetracycline stains.
  1. If some of your tooth enamel was removed before putting on the bonding, start saving for eight or ten porcelain veneers, and have them placed by an expert cosmetic dentist. Meanwhile, have the dentist smooth out the dental bonding, so that it looks better. You’ll find that the porcelain veneers will last many years, compared with the one or two years that dental bonding lasts.

This blog is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune of Metairie. Visit Dr. Delaune’s smile gallery to see tetracycline cases.

Can I switch to a cosmetic dentist, if my dentist already started the work?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I’ve been going to the same dentist for years, and I trust him, at least with the work he previously did. I recently decided to get a smile makeover, so I figured he could do it. I’m wearing my temporary veneers now, but I don’t like them. He’s made several adjustments, but it just looks worse to me now than when we started. Can I switch and find a real cosmetic dentist? I wish I had found out about this and did my research before I asked him to do the work. – Kristin from Mississippi

Kristin – You’re right. It’s best to select an artistic cosmetic dentist for a smile makeover. A lot of patients don’t realize that cosmetic dentistry is truly an art that few dentists practice. And it requires training in the techniques needed to give you a beautiful smile makeover.

If you’re not comfortable with your temporary porcelain veneers, you can insist that you are able to closely examine them before they are bonded to your teeth.

It may add to your expense, but you are able to switch to a cosmetic dentist in the middle of your case. Some of the work will need to be duplicated, though. According to the ethical standards of the American Dental Association, the dentist who started the work must cooperate with the transition by providing notes, x-rays and other material to help your case succeed with the new dentist.

If you need help selecting a new dentist, mynewsmile.com is a website that is run by an accredited cosmetic dentist. The site provides nation-wide recommendations of cosmetic dentists whose training, experience and pictures of smile makeovers have been carefully reviewed to help ensure that you will truly receive a beautiful smile makeover.

This blog is brought to you by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read about Dr. Delaune’s beautiful smile guarantee.

 

Will teeth whitening help tetracycline stained teeth?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

My teeth are stained by tetracycline. My dentist is recommending crowns for my front teeth, but I am wondering if teeth whitening will help. If not, what are my options? – Beverly

Beverly – It’s best to avoid having crowns placed on your teeth. There are two other ways to handle the tetracycline stains.

Tetracycline is a powerful antibiotic that treats certain infections, and it can be life-saving. It can also treat acne. If tetracycline is taken while your teeth are still developing, it will deposit in your teeth and darken them. You’ll have gray or brown stains in your teeth. Sometimes the color of tetracycline stains presents itself as horizontal bands on the teeth.

One way to cover the stains is with porcelain veneers. But porcelain veneers are quite thin, and to get beautiful results without the dark stains showing through requires the expertise of a cosmetic dentist. Perhaps that’s why your dentist wants to use crowns instead. You can get beautiful results from a cosmetic dentist who understands the techniques required to give the veneers the right color and translucency, and who works with an expert dental laboratory technician.

The KöR Deep Bleaching System is a second way to treat the tetracycline stains. Many dentists say that teeth whitening will not budge tetracycline stains, but KöR deep bleaching has proven effective on these stains. See an example in the before-and-after photographs below.

Before and after teeth whitening pictures with Kor Deep Bleaching.

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

What can I do about the spots that braces are making on my teeth?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

Hi. I have one more year left before I get my braces off, but I’m noticing that there are spots on my teeth from the braces. I don’t know why this is happening. But now I’m guessing that once the braces are off I’m going to need more work on my teeth to get these ugly spots off. Is this true? – Ethan K. from Avondale

Ethan – Yes, you will need additional work on your teeth to remove the spots—but not until the braces are removed. You should know that the spots are a result of food accumulating around the brackets of the braces. Bacteria from the food attack your teeth. After the brackets are taken off, you’ll see white or chalky spots. Because the spots are the result of bacteria from food, there is something that you can do now. Start brushing your teeth thoroughly—after every time that you eat. If the spots haven’t progressed too far, the saliva produced while brushing can repair some of the spots.

After your braces are removed, it can be determined if there is decay under the spots on your teeth. If the spots are not large, tooth bonding is the best way to treat them. Damaged tooth enamel will be brushed away, along with any decay beneath it. The affected area will be covered with dental bonding. For the best results, find a cosmetic dentist who loves creating beautiful smiles. He or she will have the proper materials and expertise to ensure that the bonding on your teeth looks natural.

If there is a lot of damage to the tooth enamel, it may be best to cover the tooth with porcelain veneers.

Beware that although some dentists might attempt to bleach the spots away, bleaching does not work in this case. Bleaching uniformly whitens teeth and will not remove the spots. It may make the spots more noticeable.

Remember to carry a toothbrush with you so that you can brush your teeth after every time that you eat. This will loosen the food particles from the brackets and prevent further damage to your teeth—keeping your teeth and your breath clean.

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