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No Problems with Inflamed Gums Until I Got Porcelain Veneers

Posted on by AllSmiles.

My gums have been inflamed since I got porcelain veneers in February. My hygienist and dentist showed me how to brush and floss with veneers, and I followed their instructions to the letter. I had my dental cleaning appointment in late March, and the dental assistant said I must be brushing too aggressively, so my gums are inflamed. Two weeks ago, I returned to the dentist for an exam, and she removed cement and some roughness behind my teeth. She didn’t seem too concerned, but my gums are still inflamed.

I am concerned that something is wrong. Last night I thought about the veneer placement process. I wonder if the irritation is because my dentist removed the temporary veneers that I wore for five weeks but didn’t have my teeth cleaned afterward. Do I need to see a periodontist if my dentist is so casual about my gum inflammation? – Thanks. Joslyn

Joslyn,

Like most patients who get cosmetic dentistry work, you have been diligent about your oral hygiene. It’s irritating when a healthcare professional accuses the patient of doing something wrong when a healthcare provider is at fault. Although Dr. Delaune would need to examine your teeth, gums, and veneers, we can explain the possible causes of your gum inflammation.

What Causes Gum Inflammation After Getting Porcelain Veneers?

Excess cement, irregular margins, porcelain veneer position, or ceramic sensitivities can cause gum inflammation after getting porcelain veneers. We will explain.

Excess cement

Red, inflamed gums after getting porcelain veneers

A case of gum inflammation around two lateral incisors with new porcelain veneers. See an expert cosmetic dentist if you experience gum irritation.

If you experience gum inflammation after getting porcelain veneers, it may be because your dentist left excess cement behind. Dentists who regularly place veneers cure the cement in the middle of a tooth and remove the excess while it is still soft. When excess cement lingers, it hardens and irritates gum tissue.

Irregular margins

Unevenness, where a veneer and tooth meet, can lead to gum irritation. You may need to see a periodontist after a second opinion from an expert cosmetic dentist. We recommend getting a second opinion first.

Porcelain veneer position

Veneers placed too far under your gumline can inflame the gingival attachment—connective fibers that hold gum tissue to your teeth.

Ceramic sensitivity

Ceramic sensitivities are rare, but you may be sensitive or allergic to the material in the porcelain veneers.

Cosmetic dentists with advanced training ensure gum tissue is healthy before and after treatment. We recommend scheduling a second opinion with an expert cosmetic dentist who regularly places porcelain veneers. Allow the dentist to examine your veneers and gums and explain the next steps. Avoid mentioning your current dentist’s name or any diagnosis you got from the office to get an unbiased opinion.

 

Cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune of Metairie, Louisiana, sponsors this post. Read why Dr. Delaune’s patients consider him one of the best dentists in town.

Lumineers Gave Me a Lisp

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I wanted a real celebrity smile, so I chose Lumineers for their brightness and because they are no-prep veneers. I thought they were the best way to get a smile that would get noticed. I got them in May and am somewhat disappointed. My teeth don’t look as great as I thought they would because they are slightly thick, and I speak with a lisp. I have returned to the dentist, and she made some adjustments, but I still have a lisp. Someone in the dental office implied it might take a while to adjust to speaking with the veneers, but I thought they were supposed to function like natural teeth. If that’s the case, why am I having such a problem with my speech? Maybe I would be happier if I could just get braces and have my teeth whitened. Can I remove the veneers and return to my natural teeth? Thanks. Lenny from Phoenix

Lenny,

Thank you for your questions.

A single porcelain veneer - for info on Lumineers

A skilled cosmetic dentist can examine your Lumineers to identify the cause of your speech problems

Dentists often place Lumineers without preparing your natural teeth. It takes a lot of skill to place Lumineers without them looking or feeling too bulky. If your dentist placed your veneers without tooth preparation, she might need to remove a small amount of enamel to help them fit properly.

If your dentist has already adjusted your Lumineers, she may have difficulty fitting them or bonding them properly. Depending on the cause of your lisp, the adjustment may be as simple as preparing your teeth. Sometimes, the lab may need to remake your Lumineers to ensure they fit correctly.

We recommend getting a second opinion from a cosmetic dentist with experience placing porcelain veneers. Trained cosmetic dentists have the skill to adjust the veneers or your natural teeth, so you get beautiful results. If your dentist cannot achieve the right look and feel with your veneers, it might be best to have someone else examine them.

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

I Am Still Wearing Temporary Veneers

Posted on by AllSmiles.

In August, I got eight porcelain veneers, but I do not like them. My dentist tried the veneers on my teeth without attaching them. I explained to her that the shape and color were not what I wanted. The veneers should match my teeth after Zoom whitening, but they are darker than my natural teeth.

Before all this, my dentist did the wax-up and temporary veneers, but she assured me that I would like the final veneers because they look much better than the mock-up. The final veneers made my teeth look unevenly spaced, which was not a problem before. After I explained that I could not accept the veneers, the dentist told me she would return them to the lab for correction. But when I returned to the office to try on the new veneers, they still were not right. I am still wearing temporary veneers now and am concerned that I will be wearing them longer than I should?

I spoke with my dentist yesterday, and she said that the lab is hinting that this is their final attempt to redo my veneers. I am concerned about what will happen if I do not like the result. Will I have to start the process all over? – Thank you. Lynnae from GA

Lynnae,

We are sorry to hear about your experience. But, fortunately, your dentist did not bond on your veneers without your approval.

If your dentist and the lab she uses cannot achieve the results you agreed to, you should consider stopping the process and finding another dentist. Although you may be hesitant about switching dentists in the middle of treatment, we recommend not asking your dentist to try another time. And if the lab does not seem willing to work with your dentist to ensure your satisfaction, your porcelain veneers case probably will not be resolved.

Get a Second Opinion

a porcelain veneer being placed on a tooth

An accredited cosmetic dentist can give you natural-looking veneers

Look for an advanced cosmetic dentist and schedule a consultation. Cosmetic dentists have post-graduate training and understand the techniques required to achieve the tooth shape you want and match your veneers to your newly whitened natural teeth. Also, advanced cosmetic dentists work with master ceramists who understand how to layer and shape porcelain for beautiful results.

Ask for a refund. If needed, your new cosmetic dentist might be willing to talk with your previous dentist to help you get your money back. Meanwhile, you can speak with your dentist about your disappointment in not getting the results you wanted.

 

Dr. Duane Delaune, a cosmetic dentist in Metairie, LA, 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.