porcelain veneers Archives

Is mouthwash safe for porcelain veneers?

June 9, 2020 by drscottcoleman

I have used mouthwash regularly as part of my oral hygiene routine forever. But I just invested so much into my new porcelain veneers, I want to makes sure I’m not doing anything to harm them. Is mouthwash safe on cosmetic dentistry like porcelain veneers?

-Callie in Florida

Callie,

Most cosmetic dentists will not recommend mouthwash be used after any kind of cosmetic dentistry.

To keep your porcelain veneers looking your best, it is important to keep your teeth clean. You don’t need mouthwash to do that. Regular brushing and flossing, and keeping up with regularly scheduled cleanings and checkups will keep them looking beautiful. You want to avoid any kind of abrasive toothpastes or cleaning agents. Also, when you are into the dentist for a cleaning, abrasive cleaning methods should not be used by the hygienist. For example, using some polishing equipment (pumice-type) or abrasive agents during the appointment. Most dental hygienists know this. But it’s never a bad idea to remind them.

Mouthwash doesn’t do anything to clean your teeth. Of course, it doesn’t hinder your oral health. But with porcelain veneers you want to avoid any products that have any kind of alcohol in them. Over time, the alcohol in some dental products will soften the dental bonding composite material that was used to permanently bond the veneers to your teeth. A leading product like Listerine contains over 20% alcohol.

Now, if you can’t cut out mouthwash from your daily routine, look for an alcohol-free mouthwash. Breath Rx is a brand that was created by a cosmetic dentist and it is alcohol-free. Or Crest Pro Health pictured here, is also an alcohol-free brand.

Thank you for your question. If you maintain a regular oral hygiene regimen and keep up with your preventive maintenance appointments at the dentist, your smile will be beautiful for many years to come.

What would you recommend to fix a crooked front tooth?

June 9, 2020 by drscottcoleman

I haven’t been able to find the right dentist to help me with my crooked teeth. Every dentist I see, seems to have a different recommendation. How am I supposed to know what to do? I have a crooked front tooth, like really crooked. It goes behind the neighboring front tooth. Do you think Invisalign is an option or will I be stuck with braces? Or is it possible I could have it pulled? Please tell me you have some advice.

-Beck in Colorado

Beck,

Thank you for your question. It is always difficult to give specific recommendations without having seen your case in person. But, if you are an adult, Invisalign may be a legitimate option. Also, porcelain veneers, if they are done by an expert cosmetic dentist, may help you get the appearance of straight teeth. But it cannot be expressed enough that when dealing with the aesthetics of a smile, you need to find an excellent cosmetic dentist. Not just any dentist does beautiful cosmetic dentistry. Be sure to look into their experience with similar cases and credentials, in order to find the right fit.

Whatever you do, don’t pull the tooth. You may have received that kind of recommendation from one of the dentist, but your smile will simply not look right. Having an uneven number of teeth in your smile will look strange. You want to have symmetrical, straight smile and you cannot accomplish that if you are missing one of your front teeth. Did the dentist that recommended this treatment suggest replacing the tooth with a dental implant? Even so, this would not be the ideal treatment option. It would be in your best interest to find a dentist that will do whatever possible to keep your natural tooth.

Now, depending on how crooked the tooth is, it is possible that porcelain veneers may help. It all depends on the position of the crooked front tooth. So, you should continue exploring Invisalign. It would also be wise to consult with a cosmetic dentist, especially one that also offers Invisalign.

Good luck to you. Hopefully this helps you realize you do have options, beyond pulling the tooth.

This post is sponsored by Houston cosmetic dentist Coleman Dental.

Is Listerine ruining my porcelain veneers?

June 8, 2020 by drscottcoleman

I have always used Listerine. I love the way it makes my breath smell. Well, I am beginning to wonder if this is what is causing my porcelain veneers to turn grey. I use Colgate daily, so maybe the combination of the two products is damaging to the cosmetic dentistry work I’ve had done? My dentist never cautioned me on staying away from any brand of oral products. Is it possible these products are ruining my veneers? Please let me know your thoughts.

-Jess in Idaho

Jess,

It is quite unfortunate that your cosmetic dentist failed to advise you on the best practices to keep your porcelain veneers looking beautiful. You are on the right track. It sounds like your oral hygiene products may be damaging your dental work. Listerine contains alcohol and is not recommended for anyone with porcelain veneers. Also, it is important to use a soft toothbrush for daily brushing because harder bristles can be abrasive and damaging to your veneers. Colgate itself shouldn’t be an issue. That said, if it is one of the teeth whitening or tartar control types, the formulation may be too abrasive for your veneers too. Many excellent cosmetic dentists will recommend a product that works well for porcelain veneers, called Supersmile.

All that to be said, these products shouldn’t be the cause of the grey discoloration your are experiencing. When a patient’s porcelain veneers are turning grey, it is typically the type of porcelain that was used. Or it is possible that something has damaged the glaze that protects the veneers. Then, bacteria and food particles can compromise the color and overall longevity of your cosmetic dentistry. Or it is quite possible that the cosmetic dentistry may have been damaged during one of your cleanings by a dental hygienist. A Prophy Jet or any polishing equipment is damaging to cosmetic dentistry. It may be time to visit a new cosmetic dentist to evaluate what has happened and offer the best solution to improve the appearance.

My porcelain veneers are way too white!

June 8, 2020 by drscottcoleman

Please help! I feel like I am living a porcelain veneers nightmare! I had nine porcelain veneers done a little over a month ago. They were placed on my lower teeth. When the dentist showed them to me when they came back from the lab, I told him they were way too white. So, he returned them and had them redone. I requested the new color blend in with my existing natural teeth.

Well, I came back when they were ready and he went ahead and permanently cemented them before I could even see them. But they’re terrible! They don’t blend in. They are way too white! I am in a wedding very soon and I look ridiculous, think Ross from that Friends episode with his glowing white teeth – but just on the bottom!

Not to mention, one of the veneers broke already after only a couple weeks of them being permanently cemented. When I left the dentist, he said he would cover any issues for two years without me having to pay. But, I’m wondering if that is odd? Should I be concerned that I will have more issues? I am beginning to thing this was a terrible investment. Do you think I can go see another dentist to get an independent opinion to make sure I’m not crazy? Please tell me there is hope.

-Jeff in Indiana

Jeff,

It is always difficult to give specific recommendations without having see your case in person. The first major red flag is (if I’m understanding correctly) that the dentist permanently bonded the porcelain veneers to your teeth when you didn’t realize he was doing that. It sounds like the second time they arrived from the lab, he placed them without showing you. Is that correct? If you didn’t give your consent, he could be in hot water.

You are required to give consent on any medical or dental procedure. Otherwise, you are dealing with what could be perceived as malpractice. It’s sounding doubtful that the dentist you saw was a true cosmetic dentist, because no cosmetic dentist would go ahead with the permanent placement unless they were absolutely sure you loved the color and look. Messing up the color not once, but twice is a big problem.

Another concern is that the porcelain veneer has broken after only a couple weeks. This usually is due to the bonding to the tooth being faulty. Cosmetic dentistry requires extensive training and understanding with dental bonding techniques and technologies. And it is sounding like your dentist may have been out of his league. A porcelain veneer is strengthened from the bond. They are fragile until they are bonded. But when they are applied properly, they can endure biting forces and daily use for many years.

In regard to the color being wrong, you may be able to get away with whiter than normal teeth if they were on top. But super white veneers on bottom teeth will look funny because the lower teeth are normally shadowed. You have every right to question your dentist. This doesn’t sound like work that is acceptable.

You are on the right track to consider seeking a second opinion. With their buy-in and agreement that the work is sub-standard, it may give you the extra boost you need to pursue a refund. You shouldn’t have to settle. You have many issues going on with your case and maybe even be able to get a lawyer involved. The color sounds off, the veneers were applied without you fully understanding what was happening and you have a broken veneer. Hopefully the dentist will work with you on the refund, so you can go can get the work corrected.

Thank you for your question.

My porcelain veneers horror story. What do I do?

June 8, 2020 by drscottcoleman

I am living my very own porcelain veneers nightmare. A couple days ago I had two porcelain veneers placed on my two front teeth. The main reason for the cosmetic dentistry in the first place was because I had a chip in my tooth. It had dental bonding on it that eventually came off. When I went into the dentist, I was originally thinking that I’d get the dental bonding redone. But the dentist basically said it wasn’t an option. Then he proceeded to tell me I would need a crown, since the 1/5 of the tooth was chipped. I felt like that was pretty invasive and told them I preferred porcelain veneers.

So, when I went back in for the final fitting, I decided I wanted the tooth to be a little whiter than my natural tooth because I was hoping to get teeth whitening on the others done later. I liked the way it looked during that appointment and so he had me sign a consent form. After it was cemented on, I didn’t have the chance to see it again until I got int he car.

They told me it looked great but I didn’t see it until I got to my car. I was instantly in tears when I saw it. It was more than a millimeter out of position and now it looks like it protrudes. It’s almost like the hygienist put too much cement on it and it kind of sticks out further than the others. It feels so funny on the backside, like there is a gap between the bottom edge of the tooth and the veneer. Biting just doesn’t feel right either.

When I called in to explain my issues, they told me that the gap on the back may be able to remedied but I was stuck with the length. She said it’s possible that the tooth moved. Are you kidding? I noticed the protrusion and length problem in their parking lot. It didn’t move in three minutes.

I don’t know what to do? I don’t feel like they want to help me or make it right. And I’m embarrassed to go see another dentist. Do you have any advice?

-Sherry in Florida

Sherry,

Sadly, your porcelain veneers horror story is not uncommon. It’s difficult to give you exact recommendations without seeing your case in person and my response is largely based on some general assumptions from other similar mishaps. But here is what it sounds like based on what you have shared.

Cosmetic dentistry is not a separate specialty area within dentistry. This means that any dentist can call themselves a cosmetic dentist without any extra training. Cosmetic dentistry is like an art. It takes a passion for aesthetics and a thorough understanding of dental bonding materials and techniques used to create natural-looking, beautiful work. A dentist without this mindset, skill set or understanding comes from a functional mindset. They are more focused on fixing a problem versus creating beauty.

From what you have explained, your dentist doesn’t sound like an expert cosmetic dentist. First, there is no reason that dental bonding should have been off the table. If the chip is as you explained, dental bonding would have been an ideal choice for an experienced cosmetic dentist. It is quite possible that your dentist doesn’t have that experience. He may be used to doing porcelain crowns and therefore recommended what he is better at, not what was best for your specific needs.

It also needs to be said that your instincts were correct. A porcelain crown in this situation is not necessary and it is an invasive treatment. In hindsight, you never want to ask a dentist to do a treatment (like porcelain veneers) that they aren’t comfortable with or that they didn’t recommend.

You also mentioned that you selected the shading based on the fact that you were interested in teeth whitening down the road. An expert cosmetic dentist wouldn’t have had you picking the color or shading. They would have insisted that you have the bleaching done first and then after the color stabilized, the porcelain veneers could have been matched perfectly to your surrounding teeth. This is just another indicator that cosmetic dentistry may be out of your dentist’s comfort zone.

It’s good that you had a look at the veneer prior to it being permanently cemented in place. But it is very strange that you weren’t aloud to see it after it was bonded. Most cosmetic dentists would be so excited for you to see the final product. They live for your positive reaction because they would want you to love the work. It’s frustrating that you didn’t see it until you were in the car.

Regarding the positioning of the restoration, it sounds like the veneer wasn’t seated correctly. Properly placing a veneer is an entirely different process than it is with a crown. This isn’t the end of the world, but it isn’t right or fair to you. Patients trust their dentist, which is the key to a successful patient-doctor relationship. It doesn’t sound like this dentist had the proper technique or experience, but did the porcelain veneers anyway.

When you called back in and they told you that the length and positioning cannot be addressed, that is not correct. A porcelain veneer can be trimmed and honestly if it isn’t right – it should be redone. Your tooth didn’t move from the time you walked to your car and it is absurd that this is the response you were given.

The porcelain veneer sounds like it needs to be fixed and completely redone. At this point, based on what you have shared, you probably don’t want this dentist to do it. That said, you have every right to request a refund. The dentist has to realize that he messed up and should be embarrassed. You can state that you are going to a new dentist to have it fixed. If they give you any grief, the new cosmetic dentist may be able to help you out by confirming the mistake. Document everything and take photos. If it doesn’t go well, you have every right to file a complaint with the dental board. Hopefully it doesn’t’ get to that point though.

On behalf of cosmetic dentists that truly care about creating beauty, please accept our apology. I’m sorry you have to go through this.

Will Lumineers give me horse teeth?

June 6, 2020 by drscottcoleman

Every time I think I’m ready to move forward with Lumineers, I see someone that looks like they have horse teeth. But I’ve had it with my ugly, discolored teeth. One of my front teeth even has a crack in it. I feel like every conversation I have, someone is staring at my teeth. So I know I need to do something, I just don’t want to end up with a smile looking worse off than before I started. I can tell when people get dental work done and I can’t afford to blow it. How do I know my Lumineers will be natural-looking and not look like Mr. Ed?

– Sandra in West Virginia

Sandra,

You are smart to do your research before moving forward with any cosmetic dentistry treatment. You care also correct, in that there are far too many botched smile makeovers and many are from Lumineers.

What you may not realize is that Lumineers are just a particular brand of porcelain veneers. They are ultra-thin and do not require any tooth preparation. But many patients feel that the result is unnatural and bulky. Many skilled cosmetic dentists don’t like Lumineers either because the brand comes with the requirement that they be done in the manufacturer’s lab.

Instead of setting your mind on a particular treatment option, you will be much better served to research the best cosmetic dentist in your geographic area. Not just any dentist does beautiful porcelain veneers. This makes it difficult as a patient because you typically will trust that a dentist knows what he or she is doing. But to do beautiful cosmetic dentistry requires extensive advanced training beyond dental school. There are highly sophisticated bonding techniques and technologies that need to be mastered.

Traditional porcelain veneers do require a very tiny portion of your tooth to be shaved down. This intimates some people but this step is imperative in getting a seamless transition between the veneer and the tooth.

A great cosmetic dentist wants you to fall in love with your smile and not walk away with any regrets. Many excellent cosmetic dentists will even offer a beautiful smile guarantee. This enables you to see exactly what your new veneers will look like before they are permanently bonded into place. Ask to see examples of their work and of cases similar to yours. And of course, check out their credentials.

I can’t afford porcelain veneers to cover tetracycline stains.

June 6, 2020 by drscottcoleman

I have tetracycline stains from medication given to me as a baby. I was told porcelain veneers are the best treatment for this condition. But I simply cannot afford it. I had a dentist put dental bonding on my teeth but they are chipping already. Do you know if Zoom whitening is an option? I’m so sick of hating my smile.

-Jen in California

Jen,

Tetracycline stains are permanent. For most patients they appear as very dark brown or gray stains. The discoloration occurs in the dentin of the teeth.

As you’ve mentioned, porcelain veneers are one of the ways they can be treated. But the work must be done by an expert cosmetic dentist that is experienced in specifically treating tetracycline stains. Your general family dentist will likely not know how to how to successfully treat them.

But, it sounds like porcelain veneers aren’t an option for you at this time. So, here are a couple more affordable ideas to help improve the appearance of your smile. These treatments won’t be as effective as porcelain veneers. But, they will help.

First, the old dental bonding material needs to be removed, if your enamel is still in tact. It is possible that a hygienist could remove it for you, using sandpaper disks. Having a hygienist do the work instead of a dentist would be less expensive. Then, you should have the dentist get you started on a home teeth whitening treatment. You will want to request the strongest formulation that you can tolerate without experiencing discomfort and sensitivity. You’ll want to keep this up nightly over the course of two months. I know you’re trying to find an affordable way to whiten your teeth, but fight the temptation to use over-the-counter whitening products. They simply aren’t strong enough for tetracycline stains.

Also, you may be interested in Zoom whitening or laser tooth whitening from your dentist. Although your dentist may tell you it is much stronger than at home whitening, it will require multiple rounds of whitening in the office. And with Zoom whitening, you will end up racking up the costs very quickly. With take home trays you will end up with similar results over the course of a couple months, rather than having the expense of multiple rounds of Zoom.

The down side of your situation is if the original dentist removed enamel on the teeth before the dental bonding was placed. If that is the case, you really need to save up and have a cosmetic dentist do porcelain veneers. In the long run, it will deliver the best results and you will be happiest over the longrun. In the interim, you could have the dental bonding smoothed out. Having the dental bonding redone every couple years will end up adding up and you’ll be better off saving your money for veneers.

Good luck! Thank you for reaching out. Hopefully this gives you some options.

My daughter has a porcelain veneer that is turning dark.

June 6, 2020 by drscottcoleman

My daughter had a complete smile makeover about two years ago. She ended up having a total of 14 veneers done. Early on, probably a couple months after the appointment, one of them chipped on the corner of one of them. The cosmetic dentist fixed it by shortening and sanding it down. The one next to it also had to be buffed down so it blended in and looked natural. Several months later, the second one that was buffed started looking a little darker than the ones around it. When I took her back into see him, the dentist denied it and said they all look fine. He had the attitude that he did a fabulous job with matching the color and that I was being extremely finicky. Now, all the sudden there is this blue hue of discoloration that is showing up. She is of course convinced her tooth is going to fall out. She goes to college out-of-state and I need to know whether this is some sort of emergency or if she can wait a few months until she’s home for the summer.

-Linda in Connecticut

Linda,

Sorry to inform you that it does sound like there may be a problem with the porcelain veneer. There is no way to give you a specific timeline and reassure you that it will stay in place for a few months. There is a possibility that it may fall off. That said, it may end up being better in the long run for it to fall off on its own versus having it removed, because it will likely break during the removal process.

Based on the details you have provided, it sounds like your daughter has a what is referred to as a leaky veneer. It can be fixed and she shouldn’t be concerned about losing the tooth. But it is an aesthetic problem. There may be an excellent cosmetic dentist in the area where she attends college. The veneer could be reapplied with dental bonding.

The bottom line is that she needs to be seen by an experienced cosmetic dentist to best determine the appropriate course of action. The dark spot may very well indicate that the bond between the tooth and the veneer itself is failing. The problem with discoloration she is experiencing is not likely a result of the buffing that was done to repair the chip. Hopefully that helps shed some light on what is happening with her discolored porcelain veneer.

Trying to decide between crowns or Lumineers?

June 5, 2020 by drscottcoleman

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!

My Lumineers look gray.

June 5, 2020 by drscottcoleman

I saved up for months to get Lumineers done a few months ago. I ended up getting a total of six done so that my front teeth that show when I smile, looked great. I decided to get Lumineers because I really liked that there was no shaving down required like there is with porcelain veneers. Well, even while I was still at the appointment where the dentist did them, I didn’t really think the color looked right. I thought they were discolored and the best way to describe it was that they looked gray. When I expressed my disappointment to the dentist, he told me that Lumineers look different in different lighting. He kept reassuring me that I’d get used to them and they looked good. But, I honestly feel like they have never been white. And over time I feel like they are looking worse. Is there any way the color can be corrected? Is it possible the Lumineers company gave us the wrong color?

– Jess in New Jersey,

Well, this is unfortunate on many levels. First, your dentist didn’t sound like he really took your reservations seriously. It is not likely that the Lumineers came as the wrong shade or color. Each order is manufactured preciously to each patient’s specifications. That’s not to be said that your dentist didn’t order them properly.

Anyway, another possibility is that there may be some discoloration on your natural teeth that is showing through the very thin Lumineers. Or it could even be the tooth bonding agent that was used and may be giving a discolored appearance. Still another possibility is that the dentist failed to properly seal them when they are permanently applied. If this is indeed the case, then there could be bacteria and food particles that are contributing to the discoloration.

As you can see, it is difficult to assess exactly where things went wrong. Also, there is pretty much zero chance of having them removed successfully without them breaking. So, this means they cannot be returned and recolored at this stage. Most excellent cosmetic dentists will have you give the okay that you love the way your porcelain veneers look before they are permanently bonded.

You can do your best to make your case to the dentist that placed them. Although, it doesn’t sound like he has been very helpful thus far. It may be in your best interest to seek a second opinion from another cosmetic dentist in your area. Maybe your original dentist will help off-set the cost to have them re-done. Sorry. Wish there was better news.