blog Archives - Coleman Dental

Why are mini implants controversial?

May 9, 2019 by Dr. Scott Coleman

I am very interested in mini implants because they are so much more affordable than traditional dental implants. I need to replace a tooth and I see all the benefits of getting a dental implant over a dental bridge or flipper. But I am holding back because they are so expensive. When I asked my dentist, she told me that mini implants are controversial and didn’t recommend that I get them. From what I see mini implants do the same thing that regular implants do, so why won’t she even consider them? Is she just trying to make money off me?

-Kara in Arizona

Kara,

Mini implants are controversial because they are a bit misunderstood throughout the industry. You are correct that they have many similarities to traditional dental implants. They are surgically implanted to the bone and integrate with it. The main difference is that they are much more affordable than traditional implants, which is largely due to their size. They are smaller than traditional implants and some dentists therefore feel that they aren’t as strong. But they have been approved by the FDA for use over the long term.

So why are they so much more affordable? Well, the main factor is the size. They are half the size of traditional implants. Mini implants don’t require as extensive of a surgery, so it is simpler to place and the recovery time is faster. Also, a traditional implant has multiple pieces, and the mini implant is all one piece. Now, not everyone is a mini implants candidate. But you should explore this option further, possibly with another dentist. If your dentist doesn’t recommend or isn’t comfortable placing mini implants, find one that is. You don’t want a dentist that doesn’t feel confident in the product or their ability to have success with the product to place them. It may be very much worth your while to get a second opinion from a different implant dentist that is experienced with mini implants. Ask to see similar cases and fine out about their success rate, as well. Thank you for your question.

This post is sponsored by Houston cosmetic dentist Coleman Dental.

Can dental bonding be whitened?

May 9, 2019 by Dr. Scott Coleman

I have had dental bonding on my front two teeth for over 15 years. I suppose the bonding should be redone, but I just don’t have the money for it at the moment. I think the original cosmetic dentist told me that the bonding itself will not change color if it is bleached. But I was wondering if whitening it will at least return it to the original color. Specifically, I was wondering if white strips would do it?

– Sam in Missouri

Sam,

Dental bonding can not be whitened. It will not return to it’s original color. In fact, there is a good possibility that attempting to bleach it or use white strips on it, will make it look worse than it is now. This is because the bleaching agents will actually whiten the teeth underneath the bonding, but will have no affect on the bonding. So it will give the affect that the bonding is actually darker than it is now.

The best bet is to have it replaced. Although, it sounds like you are looking for cost effective solutions. Polishing may spruce it up a it. This is largely dependent on whether the discoloration and staining is from external staining and not the internal material. If this is indeed the case, an experienced cosmetic dentist may be able to improve the appearance of the bonding for the short term.

Please don’t try teeth whitening strips or any other bleaching agents. You won’t be happy with the result!

This post is sponsored by Houston cosmetic dentist Coleman Dental.

Is my mouthwash turning my porcelain veneers gray?

May 9, 2019 by Dr. Scott Coleman

Is it possible that my mouthwash or possibly my toothpaste is causing my porcelain veneers to turn gray? I had them done nine months ago and I didn’t anticipate them discoloring for years. When I jumped online I saw a reference about avoiding products with alcohol in them. Could this be the reason they are turning gray? My dentist didn’t give me any special instructions or recommendations on which products to avoid. Can you please let me know your opinion?

-Grant in New Jersey

Grant,

It is surprising to hear that your dentist didn’t provide you with any instructions on how to best maintain and care for your new porcelain veneers. Your initial search online does have some truth to it. But in addition to that, you should be aware of some other practices about keeping your veneers looking their best.

Avoid any dental hygiene products with alcohol in them. You should be able to find alcohol-free mouthwashes. Alcohol-containing products can be damaging to your veneers.
Your toothpaste should be non-whitening or non-tartar control. Regular Colgate or Crest formulations should suffice. This is because you need to avoid anything too abrasive. The stronger whitening toothpastes contain highly abrasive whitening agents. You may be interested in a product called Supersmile, which is recommended by many cosmetic dentists because it cares and cleans for the teeth without being harsh or abrasive.
Your toothbrush needs to have soft bristles. A hard bristle tooth brush can damage the protective glaze that covers the porcelain veneers.

Even if your mouthwash and daily hygiene products contain alcohol, this likely isn’t the reason your veneers are turning gray. It is possible that an alcohol-containing mouthwash combined with a hard bristle tooth brush could damage the margin. But if it is indeed the veneers that are turning gray, it sounds like the surface must be damaged.

Have you had a cleaning since having your porcelain veneers placed? The reason for this question is that some of the tools used by dental hygienists can damage veneers. For example, a Prophy Jet or other polishing equipment can damage the glaze and scratch those surfaces. Then, bacteria or food particles can cause discoloration of the veneers when the surface is scratched.

The other possibility is that your porcelain veneers may not have been made of some other material.

Hopefully this provides some insight into what could be happening with your gray porcelain veneers.

This post is sponsored by Houston cosmetic dentist Coleman Dental.

What is the best to fix my white spots – Zoom, porcelain veneers or something else?

May 9, 2019 by Dr. Scott Coleman

I have had white spots on my teeth my entire life. My mom told me that they developed on my teeth when I was very young. I ended up with braces as a teen and I have a feeling that didn’t help my situation. The white spots on my front teeth are very noticeable. I’ve been with the same family dentist for as long as I can remember. He told me that my teeth are healthy. He said that my teeth are in good condition and I’m only in my twenties. So, I shouldn’t try to fix something that doesn’t need to be fixed. But, I hate my white spots. I find myself being self conscious. So, I’ve been researching different options and I keep coming back to teeth whitening with something like Zoom or maybe porcelain veneers. Would Crest Whitestrips be strong enough for something like this? I’m afraid Zoom would actually make the white spots whiter. Does that make sense? Maybe porcelain veneers would be the best fit. I’d love to hear your feedback?

– Carrie in New York

Carrie,

If it’s not broken, don’t fix it, is very typical of general dentists. His response is quite telling in his experience and understanding of cosmetic dentistry. He is being honest and likely has your best interest in mind. But, it truly doesn’t sounds like he is a cosmetic dentist. And that’s okay. Stick with him for your regular routine care. But, you need to find an excellent cosmetic dentist in your area to address the white spots. There is a fundamental different between general dentists and cosmetic dentists. A cosmetic dentist is like an artist. They believe that everybody deserves a beautiful smile. An experienced cosmetic dentist will also have extensive training beyond dental school. So, it sounds like it’s time to seek another opinion. A general dentist is trained to fix things and has a more functional mindset.

As far as the correct treatment option, teeth whitening treatments like Zoom whitening, will not work for you. Your instincts are right. Whitening the spots, may make them worse. Steer clear of any dentist that recommends whitening treatments.

An expert cosmetic dentist will be able to give you specific treatment options. If the spots aren’t too large, you may be a dental bonding candidate. Or, porcelain veneers may be the better option for you. It’s difficult to give recommendations without having seen your case in person. So, you need to find a reputable cosmetic dentist and ask to see examples of cases similar to yours. It is also possible to have the teeth whitened to brighten the majority of your smile. Then, you could get the spots fixed and the cosmetic dentistry could be made to blend in perfectly with the surrounding teeth.

Thank you for your question. Hopefully, this gives you some options to consider.

This post is sponsored by Houston cosmetic dentist Coleman Dental.

Does Invisalign interfere with kissing?

May 8, 2019 by Dr. Scott Coleman

I’m so excited to get going with Invisalign and the dentist has nothing but great things to say about it. But I’m embarrassed to ask my dentist certain questions. Will I still be able to kiss while wearing Invisalign? Maybe it’s a dumb question, but it is very important to me.

– Kaitlyn in Alabama

Kaitlyn,

Invisalign boasts one of the highest satisfaction rankings by patients. Your dentist probably told you how it works in half the time as traditional metal braces, is much more comfortable, and the best part is obviously it’s invisible. Now your question is a good one. Many dentists will tell you that no one will notice you are wearing Invisalign from a conversational distance. But kissing is obviously a little bit closer, to say the least. Your partner will be able to see them when going in for a smooch, but that is about it.

Invisalign clear aligners fit snugly over your teeth. They aren’t loose and shouldn’t be flopping around, even during kissing. That is, as long as the person you are kissing doesn’t generally kiss your teeth. LOL! Anyway, if you are self conscious for some reason about kissing with Invisalign, you can simply remove the aligners. The aligners simply pop in and out and are recommended to be removed for eating, brushing teeth, and if you feel better, for kissing too. Just remember that it is best to keep the aligners in for as much time as possible each day so that you achieve the desired results.

This post is sponsored by Houston cosmetic dentist Coleman Dental.

The dentist put stain on my Lumineers.

May 8, 2019 by Dr. Scott Coleman

I just spent over $13K on Lumineers. The dentist that did them ordered stain because it was supposed to help them look more natural. I really was hoping for a bright, white look. But what he ended up doing is ugly. Then, when I complained about it he decided to drill off the top portion of them so they could be whitened. Now they look dull and the shape isn’t right. Was drilling the correct thing to do? I cannot believe I feel this way after spending so much money. Do you have any advice?

– Denise in Missouri

Denise,

Well, unfortunately it sounds like the damage is done at this point. There isn’t that much that can be done, unless their appearance is bad enough. The only way you may be able to recoup some of the cost is to see a new dentist that sides with you and pressures the first dentist into some sort of refund so you can have the work re-done.

Thank you for sharing your story about your Lumineers mishap though. Hopefully, it will help someone else be a little more careful in selecting a dentist for cosmetic dentistry. What most people fail to realize is that fewer than one or two percent of dentists have the artistic ability and passion to create a beautiful smile with porcelain veneers. Most expert cosmetic dentists won’t even place Lumineers. They come with strict trademark regulations that they be done in the Lumineers lab and they are not very natural-looking because they tend to look long and bulky.

The stain you described is a technique that was taught in dental school as a way to make teeth appear more natural-looking. So it is likely that the dentist was trying to follow this recommendation. The thing is, it doesn’t look natural in many cases. There are so many factors involved in creating beautiful cosmetic dentistry that far too few truly understand, as well as an expert-level understanding of the bonding techniques and methods used to place them.

Sadly, you will likely want to have these veneers redone in the future. This next time around, ask to see cases similar to yours, check their credentials, and go with someone that offers a beautiful smile guarantee. Most excellent cosmetic dentists will offer some type of assurance that if you don’t love the way the veneers look before they are permanently bonded, they will be sent back to the lab.

Thank you for your question and best of luck!

This post is sponsored by Houston cosmetic dentist Coleman Dental.

Will bleaching my dental implant change the color?

May 8, 2019 by Dr. Scott Coleman

The dental implant on my front tooth doesn’t match the others anymore. I have had it for a couple years now. It used to blend in with my teeth but now that I have been bleaching my teeth, I am not seeing the implant change color. So now the implant appears much darker than the surrounding teeth. Is there a special teeth whitening formula I can use to whiten the implant?

– Margie in Nebraska

Margie,

Sorry to have to inform you that no amount of tooth whitening or bleaching product will change the color of your dental implant. Ideally, you should have done any teeth whitening prior to the implant being placed.

The porcelain crown that is attached to the implant post is highly stain resistant. So the original color will remain in place because of the seal used. A cosmetic dentist may be able to add staining to darken the crown, but lightening it is not an option at this time. The whitening products you used at home, remove surface stains and the oxygen in them penetrates deep into the tooth to whiten them. But on an artificial tooth like the restoration on your dental implant, the oxygen will not be able to penetrate. Therefore, it will not lighten.

Most cosmetic dentists will inform you of this at the time when the dental implant is placed. The only way to have the restoration match the surrounding teeth is to have the porcelain crown replaced. If this is the route you decide to go, whiten your teeth first. Then, let the color stabilize before the crown is placed. That way the cosmetic dentist will be able to successfully make a match so it look natural and blends in perfectly.

This post is sponsored by Houston cosmetic dentist Coleman Dental.

Can new Lumineers be put over top of old ones?

May 8, 2019 by Dr. Scott Coleman

I have Lumineers and have for years. They don’t look that great anymore. Have you ever heard of placing new Lumineers over old ones to freshen up a smile? I understand teeth whitening won’t work on Lumineers. So, I was wondering if adding a new layer of Lumineers would improve how they look? When I originally had them done, my dentist knew I wanted them whiter but he was told that wasn’t an option. He’s a nice guy and I’ve been happy with him for most of my treatment, but I don’t think I need to keep my “dingy” teeth when I’m sure there is a way they can be better? Do you have any insight?

-Lisa in Michigan

Lisa,

Technically, it is possible to place new Lumineers over old Lumineers. But that’s just silly.

Just for clarification and for any other web viewers reading this response, it is important to realize the Lumineers are just another brand of porcelain veneers. Lumineers are popular, mainly because of the huge advertising campaign behind them. At one time, several years ago, the Lumineers brand was promoting the option to place Lumineers on top of crowns. So, it is possible you saw something about that. But, the truth is that most patients didn’t like them. There was no shortage of reader complaints and the company no longer promotes this approach. Placing new Lumineers over old ones is similar to the concept of covering crowns with them.

If a dentist was to place new porcelain veneers (Lumineers) over old ones, he or she would essentially be doing them over anyway. For example, the old veneers would require preparation and you would get a much better result if they were simply redone. You also would run the risk of the final product being too thick and not looking natural.

This idea of placing new ones on top of the old ones, really wouldn’t have the staying power of having the smile makeover redone either. When porcelain is bonded onto porcelain, the bond isn’t as strong or successful as if the tooth bonding was done to a natural tooth. Think about this possibility as well, what happens when the veneer underneath has issues? Again, it is in your best interest to have them redone. Otherwise you run the risk of them looking funny and they may stain more easily along the margin.

Also, going back to your original question about your dentist claiming that a whiter color wasn’t available, that is just not right. It sounds like your dentist may be a great general or family dentist. But cosmetic dentistry isn’t his thing. In order to do beautiful cosmetic dentistry, a dentist must undergo extensive training beyond dental school. It also takes a passion for aesthetics and an artistic eye to deliver truly beautiful results. You may not realize that less than two percent of dentists will create a stunning smile makeover. So, maybe it’s time to consult with an expert cosmetic dentist that can give you the smile you have always wanted.

This post is sponsored by Houston cosmetic dentist Coleman Dental.

CEREC for crowns on front teeth.

May 8, 2019 by Dr. Scott Coleman

I fell and broke my two front teeth in a mountain biking accident. My family dentist is telling me I need to get crowns. A friend told me about CEREC crowns and how they can be done in one day. That is super appealing to me right now because I’m so ready to move on after this accident. But my dentist doesn’t do them. Do I need a referral to go to another dentist? How do I find CEREC dentist in my area?

– Mike in North Carolina

Mike,

CEREC crowns are very popular among busy professionals and anyone that doesn’t want to deal with the inconvenience of wearing a temporary crown. But same day crowns aren’t always the answer. You need to consider the artistic nature of the work that will be required in order to replace your two front teeth.

Consider this – is convenience more important or a beautiful, natural-looking result? When it comes to your two front teeth, they are highly visible. With traditional porcelain crowns, if you find an excellent cosmetic dentist you will never regret the attention to detail and level of effort he or she will put into your crowns on such high profile cosmetic dentistry. These teeth show everyday, with every smile.

For example, the coloration present in a normal tooth fades throughout the surface, the gloss and translucency, as well as the layers of gradation is hard to get right with CEREC. An expert cosmetic will use a master ceramist that they trust. And for such aesthetically-demanding results as is required on front teeth, you don’t want to cut yourself short.

CEREC crowns are milled on-site out of a single block of ceramic. CEREC makes sense for crowns on back teeth or any other teeth that don’t show when you smile. They look nice, but aren’t always the best fit. Simply put, a machine doesn’t have the artistic ability and training that a cosmetic dentist does. Now, that isn’t to say that there aren’t some cosmetic dentists that will paint on additional layers to make a CEREC crown appear more lifelike. Although, you may want to shift your thinking from convenience to avoiding front teeth that may potentially look fake in appearance.

In closing, you don’t need a referral to find a dentist that offers CEREC. Just google the term “CEREC crowns” in your city. But you may want to do yourself a favor and consult with a skilled cosmetic dentist and put your trust in their ability versus finding the first CEREC dentist that comes up in your search bar.

Best of luck!

This post is sponsored by Houston cosmetic dentist Coleman Dental.

Should I Switch Dentists So I Can Get a Ceramic Dental Implant?

May 8, 2019 by Dr. Scott Coleman

I read that I should get a ceramic dental implant instead of a metal one. My dentist says he only does the metal kind. How important is it that I go worth ceramic? Is it worth switching doctors over?

Thanks,

Herb in Georgia

Dear Herb,

Most dental implants today are made of titanium or titanium alloy. This is because they’re extraordinarily strong and long-lasting. They also integrate with bone incredibly well, which makes them the top choice most of the time.

Ceramic dental implants are most often mentioned when a patient is “allergic” to metal. In these cases, the person is generally sensitive, not allergic, to some metals. For instance, if you break out in a rash while wearing jewelry or the snaps on your pants causes irritation. These are symptoms of a sensitivity to certain metals, and nickel is most often the culprit. If you don’t have any issue with metal, there’s no cause for concern here. However, if you do, you may wish to have an allergy test performed and then check with your dentist to see if the dental implant he uses contains any of the metals that are bothersome to you.

Aside from a metal sensitivity, ceramic is occasionally chosen for aesthetics. Because the underlying metal can sometimes make a porcelain crown look dark, having a metal-free restoration can be better for the sake of appearance. Even so, most dental implants are placed in the back of the mouth where any darkening wouldn’t be noticed. Moreover, dentists typically work closely with expert lab technicians who know how to adjust shade and opacity for natural-looking results, so this isn’t generally an issue either.

Unless you have medical concerns with metals, titanium or a titanium alloy restoration is a good option. It’s a safe, reliable and time-tested method. If you have specific concerns about options for restorations, your doctor will be able to answer them with more detail, as he knows your particular case and will be familiar with the materials he uses most.

This post is sponsored by Houston cosmetic dentist Coleman Dental.