dental bonding Archives - Coleman Dental

Pain After Dental Bonding: What’s the Fix?

September 14, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I had a fair amount of dental bonding done a few weeks ago. The vast majority of it was for cosmetic reasons, but I did have a couple of cavities as well. The doctor said it would be easier on me if I did it all in one visit and I assumed he was right. Since then, my teeth have been very sensitive and it seems to be getting worse. It actually hurts on one side every time I bite. I called the office and asked about it and the lady said I’d get used to it over time. If this was true, I would think it would have stopped by now. Is there something else I need to be doing?

Thank you,

Shirley in Minnesota

Dear Shirley,

Actually, it sounds like you need to go back to the dentist. The dental bonding could need to be smoothed out a little bit. When you have excess material, it affects your bite and the constant unnatural banging on your other teeth can become painful. That’s why it hurts more when you bite down. Since the tooth is already upset, the pain lingers on for some time after. Some people report having shooting pains or jaw pain when their recent filling needs an adjustment as well. This isn’t something that gets better on its own. In fact, letting it go can further traumatize the tooth and the one that it’s biting against, which may result in the need for additional treatment. You’ll have to go in to have it smoothed out.

There are other issues it could be as well. It’s possible there’s something going on with the tooth or the dental bonding, too. If the tooth is just irritated, something like that would likely settle down on its own. Taking ibuprofen to help the inflammation may speed up recovery time with things like that. At other times, if the tooth was traumatized or the cavity was deep, a root canal may become necessary for your comfort and the long-term retention of the tooth.

It’s a little disappointing that the office staff didn’t suggest that you go in and have the dental bonding checked out and adjusted. That’s generally the first step when someone feels uncomfortable after a filling. Start with that and, if you don’t feel relief within a week or so, you may need to start looking into other possible causes for the discomfort.

Sometimes teeth really do need a little rest to settle down, but you’ll start to gradually feel better as time passes and it sounds like your pain is getting worse. Unexplained pain should never be ignored, and certainly not if it’s progressive. Get this checked out as soon as you can.

What’s wrong with my porcelain veneer?

September 14, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I ended up getting a porcelain veneer done to fix my damaged front tooth. At first, I really liked it. It blended in perfectly with my surrounding teeth. No one seemed to notice I had any work done. I am wondering what’s wrong with it now? It has only been a couple years and I’m noticing a really dark line along my gums. Should I be concerned? I am starting to feel self conscious when I’m laughing and smiling. Do you know what happened?

-Pam in Missouri

Pam,

From what you have described, it actually doesn’t sound like you have a porcelain veneer. It is more likely that you have a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown. A porcelain veneer is a very thin layer of porcelain that is bonded to the front of a tooth. Typically, a porcelain veneers are used to improve the aesthetics of teeth. For example, minor gaps, discoloration and small chips can be addressed with porcelain veneers. But, a dental crown is used when a tooth is more severely damaged. For example, if a tooth is cracked or chipped, has too large of a cavity to fill or needs to be reinforced structurally, a crown is more effective. A porcelain crown covers the entire tooth, kind of like a cap.

When the framework is made of metal, the gums can recede over time and the metal is visible. That said, a couple years seems like a short time for the metal to be exposed. It is possible you may need to be checked out to rule out any other conditions, like gum disease. That way, the cause can be taken care of before the crown is redone.

Now, this is all based on assumption from what you have explained. It is possible that you did get a porcelain veneer. If so, it doesn’t sound like it was done properly. Or, the cosmetic dentistry may have been done by a dentist that didn’t have the proper expertise and training.

There have been cases where bacteria creeps into the gumline area with porcelain veneers that were not placed seamlessly. If this is indeed the case, you will need to have be seen for a professional exam and cleaning. If bacteria is gathering along the gums, decay will become an issue if it hasn’t already and the bond that holds the veneer in place may be compromised.

Thank you for your question. Hopefully this will give you some guidance as to what your next steps should be.

Cosmetic dentist’s dental bonding is yellow.

September 14, 2021 by Brian Sartin

My daughter is in the thick of her teen years. She hated the discoloration on her front teeth. So we met with a dentist that was recommending a cosmetic solution for her two front teeth. The price wasn’t exorbitant, so we did it. Well, the dentists did tooth bonding and now they are yellow. Yes, two yellow front teeth. Ugly and embarrassing to any teen. I honestly think they look worse now than before. When I went in to complain, the dentist shaved off the bonding work and reapplied more. And it’s still yellow. It’s coming off too in some places. I think it looks terrible. Is there anything I can do? I’m having a hard time trusting this dentist to go back in? I’m not sure she knows what she is doing? Is that normal to remove it and reapply? Do you think I have a case to go to another dentist and ask reimbursement from the first?

– Betty in Kansas

Betty,

Thank you for sharing your daughter’s story. It sounds like it may be time to go see another dentist. And you definitely have a case in requesting that the original dentist cover the cost for the new work. But there is no legal recourse really that the original dentist must adhere to. In most cases, some firm persuasion does the trick. Most dentists will want to keep their reputation in tact by making it right. And worse case scenario you can mention that you are meeting with a lawyer. Good luck in how you approach her. Try to keep it cordial and not threatening in nature.

Dental bonding that isn’t done by an experienced cosmetic dentist can be mediocre at best. Unfortunately, it sounds like you had to learn the hard way. This work truly takes an artistic eye for creating beauty. Not just any dentist can do this kind of work. But how would you know? Fundamentally, general dentists are trained to fix things. They are solving some sort of functional problem. Whereas, an excellent cosmetic dentist is passionate about creating beautiful, natural-looking solutions with an emphasis on esthetics. In order to be an expert cosmetic dentist, extensive advanced training is required. Some general dentists dabble in cosmetic dentistry but don’t go to great lengths to hone their skill. And since cosmetic dentistry isn’t a regulated field within dentistry, it makes it very difficult for an average patient to know the difference. Only 1-2% of dentists really do beautiful cosmetic dentistry. So moving forward, check the dentist’s credentials and ask to see their portfolio of work for cases similar to your daughter.

Porcelain veneers may be a good solution for your daughter. But do not let the original dentist do the veneers. It doesn’t sound like this dentist has the ability or heart to give you a beautiful result. Or since your daughter is young, direct dental bonding by another cosmetic dentist may turn out much better. If you find the right dentist with the right credentials, yield to their recommendation.

Trying to decide between crowns or Lumineers?

September 13, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I am seeing a cosmetic dentist to close the gap between my some front teeth. They aren’t the ones right in front, but the ones next to the front ones. I feel like my smile has always been unbalanced and I’m ready to get it fixed. When I started looking around online, Lumineers seem like a good way to go so the dentist doesn’t need to remove any of my natural tooth structure. I really like that. But when I met with the dentist, he told me most types of porcelain veneers have problems and he wants me to get crowns. Is this really the only solution?

-Arnold in Georgia

Arnold,

If this “cosmetic dentist” is telling you that he has problems with porcelain veneers, it doesn’t matter if it’s Lumineers or another brand, he probably doesn’t have the expertise to place them. Not every dentist that claims he is a cosmetic dentist has the artistic ability or knowledge of dental bonding techniques to create a beautiful result. So don’t press him out of his comfort zone, or you may end up regretting it. When porcelain veneers are done correctly, they can last for well over 10 years or more. It may be that your dentist is much more comfortable with placing crowns. But, unless the teeth are decayed and require porcelain crowns, that is not the ideal treatment since such a large portion of the tooth must be removed to fit a crown.

It may be time to find seek a second opinion from an expert cosmetic dentist. Most dentists would suggest the least-invasive treatment. Before moving forward with any type of cosmetic dentistry, be sure to check out the dentist’s credentials and ask to see examples of cases that are similar to yours. Best of luck!

Dental bonding mistake!

September 10, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I am so utterly disappointed in the cosmetic dentistry I just had done. I decided to move forward in getting my front tooth gap closed and then some work done to the lateral incisors to make them appear a bit longer. The dentist recommended dental bonding be used to fix my smile. The first thing that I was surprised by was the fact that the color doesn’t match. When I talked to the cosmetic dentist about this, he said the color difference is supposed to match my “eye teeth” but then when I questioned him he stated that the color was consistent on all the work he did. I’m thinking he’s changing his story here. What was it? A darker color for the incisors or not? Well, I guess it doesn’t matter because they don’t look the same. So, when I expressed my dissatisfaction, he wants me to pay more. That, on top of the whitening toothpaste he is telling me to use, even after he had me do tray teeth whitening. Ugh! Have I been duped? Please help! I literally feel like my lateral incisors are grey.

-Carrie in California

Carrie,

Thank you for reaching out. Cosmetic dentistry mistakes are all too common and the more individuals that share stories like yours, future patients will hopefully become increasingly educated.

Most excellent cosmetic dentists feel that the central incisors should actually be lighter then the canine teeth which are darker. This is to create the most natural-looking smile possible. So if the coloration is how you described it, then this is a dental bonding mistake by your cosmetic dentist. A grey color isn’t acceptable.

If you feel the work is not sufficient, you have two main options. You can approach your cosmetic dentist and request that the work be redone and fixed. Or, you can request that the cosmetic dentistry is paid for elsewhere in seeking a different cosmetic dentist. Now, since it sounds as if your dentist is giving you different explanations and you obviously aren’t happy with the first attempt, you may be better served in finding a new cosmetic dentist to fix your dental bonding. Cosmetic dentistry is an art. If this first dentist isn’t able to give you a beautiful result, it is unlikely an artistic, natural result will happen the second time around with the current dentist.

But it is imperative that you try to refrain from a confrontational demeanor. It sounds like he already is taking the stance that he will charge for any re-work. The thing is teeth whitening isn’t going to solve your problem either because the color is not going to change on the dental bonding. You have a case here. This needs to be redone at his expensive. You have already paid for a beautiful smile and he fell short. He needs to make this right.

Is it normal for porcelain veneers to come off every couple months?

September 7, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I am wondering if I made a big mistake. I just had four porcelain veneers done on top and four on the bottom. As I was getting ready to leave, the dentist mentioned in passing that in a couple months they may come off. He didn’t act like it was any big deal and he said it happens every few months. He suggested avoiding crunchy foods and apples to help them last longer. What?! This would have been good to know BEFORE getting the porcelain veneers done.

-Shannon in Indiana

Shannon,

No! Porcelain veneers should not come off every few months. If they are done correctly, porcelain veneers should last for over 10 years or more. So, here’s the deal. If they do indeed come off, you need to demand a refund. This kind of thinking is simply not okay.

All dentists adhere to a certain “standard of care” to their patients. Even though cosmetic dentistry is different because it is more aesthetically driven, having porcelain veneers that fall off after a short time does not meet this standard. Sadly, the standard of care for cosmetic dentistry doesn’t compare to general dentistry. For example, if the veneers look bad, it could be perceived one way to you and another to a different patient. That is a somewhat gray area. But, they should absolutely stay on. And if they don’t you may have grounds to pursue legal recourse.

Also, you mention to avoid certain foods with your new porcelain veneers. Aside from opening a beer bottle with your teeth or other common sense practices, you should be able to eat any kind of food you’d like. You shouldn’t have to avoid crunchy foods!

In fact, you should try an apple. If the veneers pop off now, it may be better to know right off the bat. Because if porcelain veneers have been bonded properly, you will have no issue with the foods you eat.

Other than wearing mouth protection in contact sports and avoiding eating metal or rocks, you should not have to worry about the functionality of your porcelain veneers. Or if you tend to grind your teeth at night, it may be good to pursue a nightguard to protect them from the sustained stress of grinding.

Thank you for sharing your story. Hopefully, it helps someone else out. Unfortunately, you may not have seen an experienced cosmetic dentist for your work. Keep an eye on them. I’m curious to hear how this turns out. Please keep us updated.

Is there anything I can do to avoid my porcelain veneers from coming off occasionally?

September 6, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I just paid a lot of money to have eight porcelain veneers placed. I was really surprised to hear from the dentist that I should expect them to come off every couple months. He told me to avoid really crunchy foods, but is there anything I can do to help them last longer? It sounds like a pain to have to go back in to have them redone so frequently.

-Tamara in Oklahaoma

What?! That is absurd. Cosmetic dentistry is not regulated as a specialty area within dentistry. This means that any dentist can say they do porcelain veneers or other cosmetic dentistry services, like dental bonding, without any additional training beyond dental school. Porcelain veneers should not come off regularly. That is a very poor standard of care and is unacceptable. If the veneers come off before a year of being placed, the dentist should be liable for that. You should have every right to request a refund, as well. When porcelain veneers are placed correctly by an expert cosmetic dentist that has had the appropriate training, they should last more like ten years.

Also, you shouldn’t have any dietary restrictions. Apples, chips, and other crunchy foods should be eaten without a second thought when porcelain veneers are done correctly. Now, don’t go around using your teeth for tools and opening cans or packages. But you should be able to eat normally. If the dental bonding was done correctly, they should not fall off.

Now, if you have a night grinding problem or take part in contact sports, a night guard and mouthpiece should be worn. But it is completely inaccurate and not within the normal standard of care to state that the veneers would come off on occasion.

If indeed you encounter this happening, you should be able to request a refund. Then, it will be time to find a reputable cosmetic dentist in your area and move on.

Thank you for your question. This kind of misinformation is ridiculous.

Can I use an ultrasonic toothbrush on dental bonding?

September 6, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I came across something online that said not to use “ultrasonic cleaning devices” on dental bonding. Can ultrasonic toothbrushes damage the bond somehow? I need to know because I always use an ultransonic toothbrush and don’t want to compromise my restoration.

– Becky in Wisconsin

Becky,

Thank you for your question. The “ultransonic cleaning devices” is not referring to ultransonic toothbrushes. Toothbrushes are safe to use restorations like dental bonding and porcelain veneers. So there is no harm in continuing to use them.

The ultrasonic scaler is a professional piece of equipment used by dental hygienists at the dentist’s office. If it is not used properly, the ultrasonic scaler may damage the restoration. For example, the tip on these devices vibrates at ultrasonic speeds and can inadvertently scratch the surface of dental bonding and veneers. This may end up harming the glaze that seals the restoration. When there are scratches on the surface, the restoration may pick up stains over time.

In regard to electric toothbrushes, including ultrasonic toothbrushes, the bristles are soft and will not damage the glaze on the composite. They will clean and polish which will help keep the restoration looking great. Also, toothbrushes vibrate at lower speeds and are therefore considered “sonic” versus “ultrasonic” so they tend to be more gentle.

I’m living a porcelain veneers horror story!

September 4, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I’m so sad. My porcelain veneers look terrible. I have been seeing the same dentist since I was five years old. I love going to see him. When I was in for a regular checkup, I mentioned that I had a really big project at work. It was an opportunity for me to expand my role at and I would be highly visible. He offered to do porcelain veneers to improve my smile. And I didn’t think twice about it. I have always trusted him. I have only ever had positive experiences at the dentist.

So, he did the work. Well, I guess that was a big mistake. I am so unhappy with the results. They are oddly shaped for one. The color isn’t right. I don’t know how to explain it. But, they look fake. The best way to explain it is that it looks like I have Chiclets glued to the front of my teeth.

But, the thing that is most frustrating is that I can’t talk normally. My tongue keeps getting stuck on them and I sound funny. This is a nightmare. I’m not only paranoid about only how they look, but I’m embarrassed that I sound funny. What do I do? I don’t want to damage our relationship. But, I’m mortified. I have to get them fixed or taken off.

-Elizabeth in Louisiana

Elizabeth,

Oh no! This is an unfortunate situation. The bad news is that the porcelain veneers cannot be removed. When porcelain veneers are placed, a tiny bit of the enamel is removed so that they can be permanently bonded in place. When porcelain veneers are don’t correctly, the tooth preparation steps ensures they look completely seamless and natural-looking. But, it also means that they cannot be removed. Your smile won’t look like it used to. Also, your teeth would be more susceptible to decay.

You have learned the hard way. There is a fundamental difference between cosmetic dentists and general dentists. It sounds like your general dentist is a wonderful dentist, seeing that you’ve been going to him since you were a child. But, he simply may not have the training and experience to do beautiful porcelain veneers.

To be an excellent cosmetic dentist requires extensive training beyond dental school. A cosmetic dentist is passionate about creating beauty, in the same way an artist is obsessed with creating art. Think of your smile like a canvas. That is how a true cosmetic dentist is motivated. They want nothing more than for you to fall in love with your new smile.

I know you don’t want to hear this. But, you probably need to see a different dentist to get this straightened out. One that is highly experienced in cosmetic dentistry. If it was only a matter of fixing the speech issue, your dentist may be able to make some adjustments. But, it sounds like there are many things wrong with the smile design. So, the porcelain veneers need to be replaced.

You need to talk to your dentist. He may end up offering to redo them for you. But, it is not in your best interest. He probably had the best intentions. He’s just not equipped to do the highly-skilled, aesthetic work that is needed. You may be able to see if he will refund you or give you some money back, so you can go elsewhere to get the smile you deserve.

You shouldn’t feel bad. Honestly, it’s probably him who will feel really bad. You can continue seeing him for your routine care. But, for the porcelain veneers and any future cosmetic dentistry, be sure you find a reputable cosmetic dentist.

Look for one that has many before and after photographs to share with you. Ask about their training, what other services they provide and how they will improve your case. Good luck to you!

My porcelain veneers are messing up my speech.

September 3, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I had a pretty significant smile makeover, which included 10 porcelain veneers. I also had two crowns done at the same time. After the permanent veneers were placed, I noticed that I am having some difficulty speaking. My tongue isn’t happy. It just doesn’t feel comfortable. The best way to describe it is that it feels like my tongue is too big and it kind of lays on the back of the bottom of my front teeth. Does that make sense? When I went in, my dentist seemed stumped. He can’t figure it out. Does it have something to do with the crowns on the back molars? Please tell me you have some advice. I feel silly!

-Jana in Florida

Jana,

Sorry to hear that you are having some issues with your porcelain veneers. Unfortunately, it is always difficult to give specific recommendations without having seen your case in person. That said, here is some information regarding smile makeovers and speech patterns that you may find helpful.

When porcelain veneers are placed properly, they shouldn’t be affecting your tongue or your speech. Porcelain veneers are tiny shells of porcelain veneers that are placed on the front surfaces of your teeth. So, the correct placement of porcelain veneers shouldn’t bother your tongue. The crowns you mentioned cover the entire tooth and not just the surface. So, if your smile makeover consisted of all crowns, there is a possibility that your speech could be impacted. But, you mentioned that you only had two crowns done. That said, this may be the culprit or a combination of them both.

Another thing that you may not realize is that any dentist can claim to be a cosmetic dentist without any additional cosmetic dentistry training. This means the dentist may not actually have the ability or advanced training and experience to deliver results. The thickness of the inside surface of the crowns, may alter the pronunciation of certain letter sounds. An excellent cosmetic dentist will be trained in how to place crowns in a way that they will not agitate or affect the tongue.

The length of the front teeth and back teeth may also affect certain letter pronunciation. So, the main question to figure out is which of these precise measurements is affecting your tongue and speech patterns. Most expert cosmetic dentists will test the placement of the provisional veneers or porcelain crowns prior to placing them permanently. Then, they can be adjusted at that stage before they are permanently bonded into place.

As you very well know, there is something wrong here and it sounds like it occurred during the placement of permanent restorations. It is possible your dentist didn’t actually send the impressions into the dental laboratory. Usually that is the best course of action. But it is possible your dentist chose to use photographs instead of the impressions. Or it is of course possible that the ceramist has messed up or misunderstood the specifications.

Sometimes it takes awhile to adjust to a smile makeover. But if you are still having problems after a couple months, you should adamantly request that they be corrected or even redone. It is possible that you may be better served by another cosmetic dentist. Your original dentist should make every effort to make this right. But, if you are met with resistance for whatever reason, it may be in your best interest to see a new cosmetic dentist. Sometimes, the new cosmetic dentist will be able to attest to the issues you’re having and help you pursue getting a refund at some level. Good luck and thank you for sharing your story. Hopefully, it helps others realize that not every dentist can do beautiful, functional cosmetic dentistry.