porcelain veneers Archives

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.

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.

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.

Is mouthwash safe for porcelain veneers?

May 7, 2019 by Dr. Scott Coleman

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.

crest-alcohol-free-mouthwash-cosmetic-dentistry

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.

This post is sponsored by Houston cosmetic dentist Coleman Dental.

Will a night guard protect my cosmetic dentistry while I sleep?

May 6, 2019 by Dr. Scott Coleman

I just spent a lot of money on a smile makeover. I now have eight Lumineers on my front teeth. Now, the dentist is telling me I need a night guard? Is this important? He said he can tell I grind my teeth but I really am not aware of this. I am stretching my budget and feel like he’s just selling me. If I don’t need it, I don’t want to fork out the extra money for it. Anyone heard of this?

– Melissa in Missouri

Melissa,

Cosmetic dentistry can be expensive. Although, it should be assumed that your cosmetic dentist has your best interest in mind. If he has seen hints of damage on your teeth and can tell you have been grinding, a night guard is well worth protecting the investment you just made on your beautiful new smile. An oral appliance helps to protect many cosmetic dentistry treatments like Lumineers and porcelain veneers, or porcelain crowns. Veneers may chip or crack under the force of night grinding.

Another thing worth mentioning is that since your Lumineers are new, they feel different to your body. So many people will grind subconsciously because of that. If your bite feels different, grinding, biting, and clenching can occur while you are asleep. In addition to breaking, the Lumineers may come off if left unprotected and. A night guard will also help to prevent gum recession.

You can expect a new night guard to be a couple hundred dollars or more. But when you compare what you have already paid on your smile makeover, hopefully you agree it is worth spending.

Unfortunately, your dentist should have mentioned this at the beginning of treatment so you don’t feel like he is trying to sell you. But you strongly should consider getting a night guard if you are a grinder.

This post is sponsored by Houston cosmetic dentist Coleman Dental.

Lumineers keep falling off!

May 6, 2019 by Dr. Scott Coleman

I was so excited to finally get my new Lumineers! I ended up getting five put on my teeth which I was excited about at first. But, I’m about at my wits end because they keep falling off. I keep having to go back to the dentist to have them bonded again. It is getting so annoying. But this time when one came off, I swallowed it. Are you kidding me? Now my dentist is suggesting porcelain veneers that are supposed to be something like $1,200 a tooth. But I just paid a lot of money (by my standards) for Lumineers. Any advice? I don’t know what to do.

– Kelli in Arizona

Kelli,

Sorry to hear that your Lumineers are giving you so much trouble. You may be surprised to hear that this isn’t that uncommon with Lumineers. Many times patients simply aren’t happy with the result. Although the marketing behind the brand makes them sound like the best thing since sliced bread, the no-preparation technique sometimes can leave them looking bulky, too long, and when they are done by a dentist that may not have that much training in cosmetic dentistry, they sometimes fall off.

Whether you are interested in Lumineers or traditional porcelain veneers, it’s the cosmetic dentist that matters. There is much advanced training required beyond dental school to do beautiful cosmetic dentistry. They must also possess an artistic eye, understand the advanced bonding techniques and materials required, and really understand what you are trying to accomplish with your smile design to deliver a beautiful smile. But since cosmetic dentistry isn’t a regulated field within dentistry, any dentist can place them. As a patient, you tend to take a dentist at his or her word. But you really need to investigate and research their credentials and experience to understand their skill level. Ask to see cases similar to yours, check out their training, and ask for testimonials. An excellent cosmetic dentist will not hesitate to win you over.

As for moving forward with your current dentist, maybe you could request that the amount that you are due for the Lumineers is credited toward porcelain veneers. That said, investigating their experience would be wise before making any final decision.

This post is sponsored by Houston cosmetic dentist Cosmetic Dental.

My porcelain veneers are messing up my speech.

May 5, 2019 by Dr. Scott Coleman

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.

This post is sponsored by Houston cosmetic dentist Coleman Dental.

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

May 5, 2019 by Dr. Scott Coleman

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.

This post is sponsored by Houston cosmetic dentist Coleman Dental.

Is there Hope for My Lumineers Nightmare?

May 4, 2019 by Dr. Scott Coleman

I literally spent thousands of dollars to have Lumineers done across my four front teeth. They didn’t feel right from the moment my dentist put them on, but they told me I would adjust. Sadly, I have not been given the opportunity, because the darn things keep falling off. Seriously, not two days later after they were put on, I was back in the office having one of them put on again. A couple days later, another one popped off. This has been going on for months and I don’t think I’ve gone two weeks without having to go back in. I just finished eating dinner and I realized my teeth felt funny, so I went and looked and two of them are gone. TWO! I think I must have swallowed them with dinner. Now that’s a concern for obvious reasons, but I’m also worried the dentist is going to charge me for a whole new set because I don’t have anything for him to glue back on this time. I really wish I had never had them done in the first place. What should I do?

Thanks,

Peter in Washington

Dear Peter,

First off, swallowing your Lumineers probably isn’t a huge cause for concern. These things tend to pass without issue and you probably won’t even notice when it leaves your system. The fact that they keep coming off, however, is a concern. Your dentist is bonding them wrong, and he should have figured that out by now. Or he should have come up with an alternate treatment if he couldn’t get them to work. If you want to stick with Lumineers, you should find a cosmetic dentist who does them frequently and has a high rate of success.

There was nothing that you could have done to prevent the issues- it’s a technique error. As such, it’s your dentist’s responsibility to repair or replace them. If you feel confident enough that your dentist can perform an alternate treatment, perhaps porcelain veneers, you might have some success. The only other real alternative is to ask for a refund and find a cosmetic dentist who can repair or redo the work.

Also, you probably don’t want to hear this now, but the best cosmetic dentists refuse to place Lumineers. Each has their own reasons, but the majority feel that a much more beautiful result can be done with other brands of porcelain veneers. So, if you aren’t confident that your current dentist can give you a smile you will fall in love with, it’s time to move on. Not just any dentist can do cosmetic dentistry well. But since it’s not a regulated field within dentistry, any dentist can claim to do it without any extra training. So be careful in asking your dentist to do something he isn’t completely confident in. Or you could be looking at a bigger nightmare than you are already dealing with. Thank you for your question. Hopefully, it helps someone else considering Lumineers.

This post is sponsored by Houston cosmetic dentist Coleman Dental.