dental bonding Archives - Coleman Dental

Will Zoom whitening work to even out color of teeth.

August 8, 2019 by drscottcoleman

I was wondering if Zoom whitening will work to even out uneven color. My daughter just got her braces off, which was a bigger deal than Christmas around here. Unfortunately, the excitement was short lived because she has really white spots all over her teeth, now that her braces are gone. My brother-in-law is a family dentist and he suggested we try Zoom whitening. Nothing against family, but I want to ask a professional before finding someone here. We just moved here and don’t have a regular dentist in place. I just want to make sure I know what I’m looking for and don’t put my daughter through any extra stress. Was something done wrong during her orthodontic treatment?

-Jen in New Mexico

Jen,

Well, it’s always good to start with family. In this case, your brother-in-law is not correct. It sounds like his focus is likely general dentistry and in regard to your daughter’s issue, a cosmetic dentist is the way to go. Although Zoom whitening is a highly effective teeth whitening treatment, it will fail for uneven color issues. Many times Zoom or other teeth whitening used on white spots will actually make the white spots stand out more than they already do.

It is difficult to give you specific recommendations without having seen your daughter’s case in person. But under most circumstances, when there are white spots left after the braces are removed, it’s decalcification. This isn’t uncommon and usually occurs if there are some oral hygiene issues while the braces are in place. The best thing to do at this time is to have a consultation with an excellent cosmetic dentist in your area. You will be much better served with a cosmetic dentist over a general or family dentist. There is a product that may work well to re-mineralize those white spots, called Tooth Mousse. It is specially formulated to target white spots caused by decalcification, just like your daughter has. Or microabrasion is a possibility. But microabrasion does have some drawbacks because it tends to make the teeth look more creamy than white.

The best option, assuming you go to an expert cosmetic dentist, is direct dental bonding. The enamel that is damaged would be removed and a composite bonding material would be placed directly over those white spots. This method will help protect the tooth from any further decay and will look natural and beautiful.

Your daughter deserves to be smiling after putting in her time with braces. A cosmetic dentist is definitely the way to go. Thank you for your question.

My Dental Bonding Keeps Falling Off- Can I Leave it Off?

August 6, 2019 by drscottcoleman

I wasn’t happy with the gap between my front teeth and I asked about doing porcelain veneers at my last checkup. Instead, my doctor recommended dental bonding to fill the space. He said it would be less invasive and look just as good, so I reluctantly went along with it. He actually did it right there and then, which surprised me. Here I thought I was just getting a cleaning, and the next minute they’re pulling out all the stuff to do the dental bonding. I noticed right away that it wasn’t lined up properly- as in, the space between the teeth is off to one side just a bit. It’s not much, but it’s noticeable to me. He said I just wasn’t used to not having the gap. Well, two days later, the dental bonding fell off on one side, so I went back and had it replaced. Then, the other side fell off. Then, they both fell off. What gives? I’m so frustrated that I wish I had just left it alone. Can I just leave them off next time or will it cause issues?

Thanks,

Jillian

Dear Jillian,

Sorry to hear you’re having so much trouble. Dental bonding is a great alternative to porcelain veneers As your dentist said, it’s far less invasive. Veneers usually require some tooth structure be removed, while tooth bonding only needs minor preparations.

It sounds like something is either going wrong with the adhesion process or the shape is off, so you’re catching them when you bite. These are usually technique errors. Considering that the alignment is off and it was a rush-job, that’s probably the case. Even great dentists miss a spot of moisture sometimes and adhesion fails. However, the fact that it’s happening repeatedly and there were other issues raises a lot of red flags.

It’s ill-advised to just leave it if they fall off again, simply because the surface has been roughened up by etching. Those spots will attract stains and be more prone to decay now. You can ask the dentist to repair it one more time, or it would certainly be within reason to request a refund and have a dentist who specializes in cosmetic dentistry procedures redo the work.

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

August 5, 2019 by drscottcoleman

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.

Do CEREC Crowns Fall Off Because They’re Cheap?

August 5, 2019 by drscottcoleman

My dentist recommended me that I should get crowns on a few of my teeth. I did some googling and thought CEREC crowns are the best choice for me. However, I did have a few questions about it. I never have had crowns before, and I remember a lot of my friends were complaining how their crowns keep falling off and how they have to go and get it installed, sometimes even having to pay a hefty bill. Are CEREC crowns less prone to falling off than regular crowns? Also, one of my friends was constantly talking how he can’t eat certain foods because he’s scared that they will fall off again. Will that happen to me if I use CEREC? I assume I’m going to be wearing them for a long time and don’t want to be restricted from certain foods because of it. This certainly can all be just because my friend, who complained the most about crowns, was having a really cheap dentist and wasn’t spending a lot of money on his teeth. I am willing to pay the price so that my teeth look pretty while wearing the crowns, meaning I don’t want them to be seen, and that I basically don’t even know about them while wearing them. I am in a particular line of business where smile and looks are very important and, as I said, the price is not the problem. However, if you think something else is better for me, I’m willing to listen to your suggestion?

Thank you,

Patrice in Arizona

Dear Patrice,

CEREC crowns, when done by an expert cosmetic dentist, can be an excellent choice. Many people love the convenience of CEREC, because they can be done in only one appointment. This also means that you do not need a temporary crown while the permanent crown is being fabricated. CEREC technology enables the dentist to prepare, fit and place the crown all in one day. They are very popular for busy professionals or anyone that doesn’t want to be inconvenienced by a temporary crown that may be at risk for falling off.

To go into more details about the mechanics of a crown, there are several factors in whether a crown stays on or not. Whether the dentist shapes them right or not is the primary concern. When one has the proper shape, it can literally stay in place based on suction alone, though this wouldn’t be enough to withstand “extreme” pressures, like eating a caramel apple. In that case, the caramel would adhere to the restoration and would pull it off regardless. It really doesn’t matter what dental material it’s made of. The science behind it and the hold would be the same. Obviously, restorations aren’t just left in the mouth. They are permanently cemented, which adds another layer of protection and seals the edges. This can sometimes be problematic, though. If, for instance, the dentist doesn’t do a good job of mixing the cement or doesn’t dry the tooth all the way, the dental bonding is not going to be strong. Using cheap, old, or poorly-kept cement will weaken the bond as well. These issues are universal for all types of crowns, no matter what brand they are or what material they’re made of. To be clear, this is talking about new porcelain crowns. In other words, the dentist is the problem if your friend is losing new restorations.

If they’re older, it’s probably due to “natural” causes. They won’t last forever. You may have even a well-made restoration last as few as seven years, though some people manage to hold onto them for 20 years or more with proper care. Usually, receding gums and recurrent decay are the culprits for older ones.

The shortened version is that you shouldn’t feel like you’re restricting yourself, but you’ll need to find a reputable cosmetic dentist to do the work, so you get the longest lifespan possible from it.

I’m living a porcelain veneers horror story!

August 5, 2019 by drscottcoleman

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!

Have Old Tetracycline Stains- Replace Dental Bonding or Get Veneers?

August 3, 2019 by drscottcoleman

I had dental bonding done ages ago to cover up tetracycline stains. As the years have gone by, my teeth have taken on a very unnatural mismatched look, but I haven’t been able to do anything about it. I asked my dentist what my options are, and he told me I have to get porcelain veneers. I tried explaining to him that they’re out of my budget, but he says that’s all I can do. I asked him if he could do more dental bonding to fix it, but he said no. I asked him if I could whiten them and he said it wouldn’t work. I’m at a loss here. Is there an alternative or do I really have to live with funky looking teeth until I can afford veneers?

Thanks,

Lucinda in Arizona

Dear Lucinda,

It sounds like you’re seeing a dentist who doesn’t handle much cosmetic dental work. Porcelain veneers are usually the preferred method to treat tetracycline staining and they’ll give you the best results if you’re looking for a bright and uniform smile. However, they’re not the only option.

The dental bonding can absolutely be redone, unless there’s a structural problem with your teeth. Given that he says you’re a candidate for veneers, your teeth are probably sound. Teeth whitening, on the other hand, is very difficult to achieve results with. Tetracycline stains are highly resistant to whitening, and it can take months of repeated at-home whitening (even using a professional-strength gel) to see results.

For starters, it’s a good idea to visit a dentist who does a lot of cosmetic work. It’s possible that some of the staining can be removed with polishing. You can try at-home whitening, but only if you’re patient enough to stick with it, even if you don’t see results right away. This won’t change the color of the dental bonding, which is why it will need to be replaced. For the best results, it’s a good idea to see if the original bonding can be removed before you start whitening, and then replaced after you finish whitening.

This method isn’t the traditional one. It will take months to complete, and you’ll probably want to find an alternate dentist to do it. If you’re not up for the lengthy treatment process or don’t think you’ll have the dedication needed to whiten effectively, your only other logical option is to start saving up for porcelain veneers.

My dentist screwed up my dental bonding and now he’s talking extraction!

August 3, 2019 by drscottcoleman

I had a change in my dental insurance, so I decided to go to a new dentist for a checkup. He discovered a cavity and went ahead and took care of it in the same appointment. He used dental bonding to fix the cavity and the tooth just hasn’t been right since. It kept hurting days after and so I decided to go back in. The dentist went ahead and adjusted it. But, it still bothered me. So, he did not once more, but two more times. Sadly, I got used to it.

When my insurance switched again, I went to another dentist. He took care of the pain and found that there was food getting stuck between the tooth and my gums. So, he decided that the filling just needed to be redone. I thought I was finally free and clear, but after I got home and the medication wore off, my tooth was killing me. I took ibuprofen to help, but it never got better. In fact, it was starting to keep me up at night and was extremely sensitive. The dentist prescribed me steroids to address the inflammation. When I called back into tell him about it, he recommended to have it extracted. How did I get to this point from a simple cavity that was filled?

-Beck in Indiana

Dear Beck,

First off, I’m sorry you are suffering through this situation. From dental bonding to a possible extraction, it just doesn’t add up. Neither dentist succeeded in properly treating you. The dental bonding should have been able to have been adjusted the first time. You should not have had to continually go back in because of adjustments. And the next dentist should have been able to replace the filling to correct the problem, without further traumatizing the tooth. But that’s neither here nor there.

It really sounds like something wasn’t right with the composite filling to start with. Also, steroids are not the appropriate medication to address the problem. The symptoms regarding the tooth pain at night and also the sensitivity sound like a possible infected tooth. And steroids attack the immune system which would have compromised your natural ability to combat infection.

Is it possible your dental insurance is restrictive or limiting your ability to select qualified dentists. Dental bonding requires a high degree and understanding of bonding materials and technology. And both dentists failed to address the issue. Without knowing too much about your insurance situation, it sounds as if you may have been stuck with some dentists that were lesser skilled and may be limited by your insurance plan.

At this point, it would be worth it to pay a little bit extra to get the tooth taken care of once and for all. The tooth should not require an extraction, based on what you have described. Don’t let either dentist move forward with that. A root canal treatment can save the tooth and help you move past this negative experience.

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

August 1, 2019 by drscottcoleman

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.

Is it possible to have dental bonding whitened?

August 1, 2019 by drscottcoleman

I have had dental bonding on my two front teeth since I was in high school. Well, without giving away my age, let’s just say they the bonding work is probably close to 15 years old. I haven’t seen a dentist in awhile and lately I’m noticing that it is very discolored. Am I understanding correctly that the bonding needs to be whitened with bleaching agents? Will this approach return the bonding to its original look? I was going to go get some whitening strips, but wanted to make sure I don’t mess it up.

-Bill in Florida

Bill,

Teeth bleaching will not successfully whiten your dental bonding. In fact, it will probably end up looking a lot worse. The composite bonding material will not whiten because it is not natural tooth material. The surrounding teeth will lighten from tooth bleaching and the bonding will remain the same. Therefore, your front teeth will stand out worse than it already does.

If you went into an experienced cosmetic dentist, it is possible that the appearance of the bonding may be improved with some polishing. But that all depends on whether or not the discoloration stems from external surface staining or if it is internal. The polish will only work on the external stains.

The other option that will give you the results you are after is to have the tooth bonding redone. But don’t just go to any dentist for this type of work. Cosmetic dentistry, especially work that will be so highly visible, should be done by an expert cosmetic dentist. Many dentists will claim to do bonding, but they don’t have the ability or artistic inclinations to do beautiful, natural-looking work.

To sum it up, skip the teeth whitening. Go straight to an excellent cosmetic dentist in your area for a consultation. Thank you for your question.

Will this dental bonding last?

July 31, 2019 by drscottcoleman

I hit an icy patch when I left my house a week or so ago. I literally fell on my face. I was so embarrassed when I looked in the mirror to discover one of my front teeth had chipped. I couldn’t get into my normal dentist so I had an emergency dentist take a look. From a structural perspective, the tooth should be fine which is a relief. He patched it with dental bonding. But he recommended I get into my normal dentist to have him check it out too. Do I really need to go into my regular dentist? How long with the dental bonding last? If I’m okay with the patch job the original dentist did, do I really need to have it re-checked?

-Mike in Michigan

Mike,

In the winter, dentists see many patients with similar accidents. It’s good to hear that you weren’t more seriously hurt. The emergency dentist likely used a dental bonding material used for filling a cavity. So, it should last for many years, even decades in some cases.

But since the tooth was traumatized, you really should go into your normal dentist. First, if your regular dentist is a cosmetic dentist, he can evaluate the work from an aesthetic viewpoint. Also, sometimes a tooth that is traumatized may not exhibit symptoms right away. The nerves inside the tooth may gradually fail over time. If that occurs, the tooth will need a root canal. So definitely be on the lookout for any kind of abscess, discoloration, or increase in pain. Those are all symptoms. It’s pretty typical that when a patient sees an emergency dentist that they are referred back to their regualar dentist to evaluate any long-term issues.

It is also possible that the break may require a porcelain crown because the dental bonding may not be the ideal fix for the long run. It may have been more of a temporary fix. So, it would be in your best interest to schedule your follow-up visit with your regular dentist just to make sure all looks okay.