Category Archives: Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain Veneers

Mouthwash and Porcelain Veneers

I have porcelain veneers and I want to take good care of them. I have this homemade mouthwash that I read about and wondered if it is okay to use it. Here is my recipe:

8 oz. of filtered water
8 oz. of hydrogen peroxide
2 tbs. sea salt

Will this damage my veneers?

Graham

Dear Graham,

A porcelain veneer on a tooth

It is great that you want to take care of your porcelain veneers. While your mouthwash won’t harm your porcelain veneers, I am concerned about long-term use of your mouthwash because of the peroxide. This will end up killing some of the microbes in your mouth, which will lead to the growth of candida albicans, a yeast. Regular use of this will cause you to get an oral yeast infection.

Using a mouthwash is okay, but you will want to make certain that there is no alcohol in the ingredients. Otherwise it will damage the bonding that keeps your veneers secure to your teeth.

One thing I will recommend is that you use Supersmile Toothpaste. This is specifically designed to work with cosmetic dental work without causing any damage to your veneers.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.
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Porcelain Veneers

Will Peroxide Help My Porcelain Veneers

I had a set of porcelain veneers done overseas. They look okay, but my gums have been red and swollen from the beginning. The dentist told me that was normal and would go down in a few days. It hasn’t. In fact, it’s been well over a month and my gums are miserable. Do you know if I did a peroxide rinse if it would help with the swelling and tenderness? If so, will it damage the veneers?

Greg

Dear Greg,

An image of a porcelain veneer being held up to a tooth.

While peroxide will not damage your porcelain veneers, it will not solve your problem. In this case, the problem is the veneers themselves. I know you likely went out of the country in order to save money on your smile makeover. This is often called dental tourism. It works sometimes, but not as often as is safe for people to risk.

Your dentist lied to you. The redness and swelling is not normal. Because your underlying problem is the veneers, the first order of business is to find the underlying cause of the problem. If you don’t fix that, not only will you have the irritation, but it will lead to gum disease. Here are a few possibilities:

  • The margin between your porcelain veneers and your teeth are supposed to be completely seamless as well as smooth. Without that, there will be an overhang. It will catch food debris. This will become a breeding ground for bacteria and infection.
  • The veneer can be overcontoured at the gumline. That means there is an extra bulge in the veneers at the gumline, that also traps food debris and bacteria.
  • Your dentist could have left hardened cement that hasn’t been cleaned off the tooth. This will leave a very rough surface there, which will cause irritation. This one would be the easiest to solve.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.
Click here to learn about sleep dentistry.

Porcelain Veneers

Did Getting Porcelain Veneers Harm My Baby?

Can you help me? I’m in a bit of a panic. I just found out I’m pregnant, but just a few weeks ago I had porcelain veneers placed. Someone told me that the dentist would not have done the porcelain veneers if he knew I was pregnant. Does this mean that by getting them placed I harmed my baby? Is there any way to reverse any damage I’ve done?

Catherine

Dear Catherine,

An image of a porcelain veneer being held up to a tooth.

The first thing that I want you to do is take a deep breath. In the case of porcelain veneers, your baby is completely safe. Dentists are taught to avoid dental work in the first trimester of a woman’s pregnancy because the baby is more susceptible to substances at that point. Most women don’t know they’re pregnant for quite some time through the first trimester, so you’re not the first mom to have work done without knowing they were expecting.

The only medication used during the porcelain veneers procedure is a local anesthetic. These are the safest medications around. In fact, one of the most common of the local anesthetics is Lidocaine. This has been used countless times not only during pregnancies, but even during the deliveries. You don’t have anything to worry about.

Looking ahead, it is important that you keep up with your dental care, especially during pregnancy. You don’t want to develop a tooth infection. Not only will that lead to the need for emergency dental care, but any infection you have your baby will deal with as well. I would schedule your cleaning and check up for the time period during your second trimester. Once you hit the third trimester, you are not only a bit larger, but you have a whole other human pressing down on you. Because of that, you will not be as comfortable in the dental chair as you would like. The second trimester tends to be the most comfortable for expectant moms.

Congrats on the new blessing!

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

Porcelain Veneers

One Discolored Porcelain Veneer

My daughter had porcelain veneers placed a few months ago. All of them are doing fine except one, which seems to be turning dark, sort of a bluish color. We tried to get an emergency appointment at our dentists, but he said this wasn’t considered a dental emergency. She is terrified that this veneer will fall off while she is at university. What should we do?

Becky

Dear Becky,

Porcelain veneer being added to a tooth

While not technically a dental emergency, it could be considered an aesthetic emergency. I don’t know what is going on with this veneer because I have not examined her or seen any images of her porcelain veneers. However, based on the description of the darkening and bluish color, I am leaning toward thinking she has a leaky veneer. This is when the bond is breaking between the tooth and the veneer, allowing food and other bacteria to get in between the two. This is causing the darker color.

The bad news is that eventually this veneer will fall off as the bond breaks down. When it does fall off, it is fairly easy to bond it back on. Depending on where she is going to school, I am sure you can find a decent cosmetic dentist who will get her in and bond it back on.

If it remains but becomes so unsightly that it embarrasses her, then she can have the veneer removed and replaced. The dentist who originally did her porcelain veneers is ethically obligated to share all his notes and diagnostics with the whichever dentist she ends up going to see to have this repaired.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

Porcelain Veneers, Teeth Whitening

Why do I have stains between my front teeth when I have porcelain veneers?

I am so sad about my porcelain veneers. I got them a little over a year ago and they were a dream come true.  My smile was exactly what I wanted.  My problem is I’m getting some dark spots in between my front teeth, almost like a line. Have I somehow ruined my new teeth?

Terry in Honolulu

Dear Terry,

Porcelain veneers are nice because they can not only make your smile more beautiful, but they are pretty stain resistant.  Teeth whitening is not needed or suggested when you have porcelain veneers.

So why are there stains on your porcelain veneers?

There is a glaze that is applied to your new porcelain veneers when they are made. The glaze determines the shine of your teeth so they look natural, not dull.  That glaze is also a big factor in the stain resistance of your veneers. Your teeth shouldn’t stain unless that glaze is somehow compromised. This can happen if your dentist uses a power polishing machine at the office or an inappropriate fluoride treatment.

There are several foods that cause stains on teeth. Coffee and juices are just a couple, not to mention how smoking stains your teeth.  If your porcelain veneers were absorbing stain because of a problem with the glaze, it would be more across the surface of the tooth, not just in one line between the teeth.

Porcelain veneer being added to a toothBecause of the area of stain you describe, it’s likely that your problem is where the veneer meets your tooth. This could be caused by a gap between your tooth and the porcelain veneer that wasn’t bonded well and has allowed the stain to enter there.

It could also be that there was some bonding composite on that line that wasn’t polished well. The stains may just be on that bonding agent. If that’s the case, it’s just a matter of repolishing that area.

In either case, a return visit to the dentist who put on your porcelain veneers would be a good place to start.  Hopefully, it’s just a simple polishing issue. Really, it’s a good idea to schedule regular maintenance appointments for your veneers. It will help maintain their stain-resistance and increase their lifespan.

This post is sponsored by Vista Dorada Dental in Gilbert, AZ.

Crooked Teeth, Invisalign, Porcelain Veneers, Teeth Whitening

Should I whiten and straighten before porcelain veneers?

I am thinking about getting porcelain veneers since I don’t love my front teeth, especially my top ones.  I have looked a little and know it’s expensive to get porcelain veneers, so if I’m going to get them, I want them to look the best they can.  Should I do teeth whitening and invisalign before I get veneers so my teeth will be perfect when I’m done?

Thanks,
KC, San Diego

Dear KC,

Someone's "perfect" smileYou mentioned you wanted perfect teeth. “Perfect” for you may mean something different than another patient. “Perfect” may be dazzling white and perfectly straight teeth.  Maybe “perfect”  is whiter, straighter, natural-looking teeth that are better than what they are now. No matter what your definition of perfect is, it is important to consider your answers before spending the money on porcelain veneers, whitening, or invisalign.

Should I whiten before getting porcelain veneers?

If you are unhappy with the general color of your teeth before veneers, whitening is a step that needs to happen before you start the porcelain veneers. Veneers themselves do not whiten. Good cosmetic dentists will match the color of your porcelain veneers to your regular teeth so they look more natural. If you want the new veneers to be matched to whiter teeth, complete this step before you start the porcelain veneers.

Should I straighten my teeth before porcelain veneers?

It is not necessary to straighten  crooked teeth before you start. That’s one of the beauties of porcelain veneers. They can make your teeth look straight. Invisalign isn’t necessary.  It won’t affect the placement of the veneers and will save you a lot of money, especially if your teeth aren’t too crooked. If you are generally not happy that several of your teeth, top or bottom, are crooked and you are only planning to get a couple of veneers, it may be something to consider.

The best path for you to take to get the smile you want is to discuss your “perfect” teeth with a cosmetic dentist. Ask for his or her opinion about your treatment plan. Discuss your options so you are comfortable and happy with what the outcome will be before you start anything.

This post is sponsored by Vista Dorada Dental in Gilbert, AZ.

 

 

Porcelain Veneers

Supersmile Toothpaste

Is it safe to clean my porcelain veneers with supersmile toothpaste?

Deni R. -Rhode Island

Deni,

Yes, in fact, supersmile toothpaste is designed for porcelain veneers and other kinds of dental work. This is a great way to maintain the brightness of your smile, because it dissolves the protein pellicle that your teeth stains will attach to.

This blog is brought to you by Vista Dorada Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

Cosmetic Dentistry, Invisalign, Porcelain Veneers

My front teeth are too big.

I really don’t like my smile because I have two really big front teeth. They are long too and actually stick out a bit from my other teeth.

Is there anything I can do to fix them? I’ve been looking into the different options with cosmetic dentistry, but I can’t seem to find something that I think will work. Whatever the case, I don’t want to end up doing something that makes my teeth look bigger.

Do you think I should have them extracted and replaced with dental implants? From what I can tell, implants seem like a good option.

– Jade in New Jersey

Jade,

There are many things that can be done for your case based on what you have described. That said, dental implants is not the way to go. Please don’t have your otherwise perfectly healthy teeth removed. That would be a bit extreme.

The first thing you should do is find an excellent cosmetic dentist. They will be able to evaluate your specific situation and make recommendations to give you a beautiful smile. They are the experts, so you don’t have to take the matter into your own hands.

Some possibilities that may work to make your teeth smaller may be done using diamond burs or strips. This will carefully file them down to make them more narrow and shorter. Then a retainer is a possibility to gently return them into alignment with your other teeth.

After they have been shaped and trimmed, Invisalign is also an option that may work to reposition them. These invisible braces straighten teeth in half the time as conventional braces. And no one will ever know you are wearing them.

Or if they are very large and need to be trimmed down significantly, they can be covered with porcelain veneers. This will give you a beautiful smile and you can work with the exact shape and color so you love your new smile.

Again, I can’t stress the importance of seeking the talents of a true cosmetic dentist. Not just any family dentist will be able to do this type of work well.

Best of luck to you.

This post is sponsored by Gilbert dentist Vista Dorada Dental.

Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Bonding, Invisalign, Porcelain Veneers

Will my daughter’s splotched teeth be covered with insurance?

Hello,

My daughter recently had her braces off and now her teeth have splotches on them. She was born with less than normal tooth enamel. So I was wondering if my dental insurance will pay for this?

Thanks,

– Teri in Nebraska

Teri,

If her teeth didn’t have the splotches before braces, then the damage is probably due to a lack of good brushing while the braces were in place. When you wear braces it is good to keep a toothbrush with you at all times because of the importance of keeping your teeth clean after every meal. Otherwise, the enamel can become damaged.

Since you mentioned that your daughter’s tooth enamel was damaged before braces then your dental insurance should be under some obligation.

Although, the insurance carrier is only liable to repair physical damage to the teeth. So I wouldn’t think of it as them covering it, because that usually means they will pay for the whole procedure. It is much more likely that they will help you pay for the repair to your daughter’s teeth. Your insurance is only committed to making the repair functionally sound. And my guess is you want the teeth to look beautiful in addition to being functional.

For beautiful results, you need an expert cosmetic dentist. Not just any family, general dentist will be able to do this kind of cosmetic work well. Cosmetic dentistry requires extensive training beyond dental school. It may be more expensive to get the results you want but when done well, it will be well worth it.

Dental bonding or porcelain veneers are options that would work to repair the splotches.

I hope this information was helpful.

This post is sponsored by Gilbert dentist Vista Dorada Dental.

Related link: Lumineers, Invisalign

Cosmetic Dentistry, Lumineers, Porcelain Veneers

Lumineers and tooth sensitivity

I was wondering if getting Lumineers will help with how sensitive my teeth are? I have struggled with my general physical health because my teeth have affected what I can eat and drink. I feel like Lumineers are my last chance to get my body back on track. I have tried many different things but my teeth hinder me in so many ways. I have high Ph and my teeth are very sensitive.

– Bryce in Nebraska

Dear Bryce,

The good news is that many tooth sensitivities can be treated with Lumineers or other brands of porcelain veneers. First thing is first, you need to find an expert cosmetic dentist that truly understands these types of sensitivities. Your situation needs to be adequately analyzed so that the source or sources of your irritation are pin-pointed.

Sometimes a root canal may be needed to address sensitivity prior to placing porcelain veneers. An experienced cosmetic dentist will be able to perform root canals on your front teeth safely and simply. You can have the beautiful smile you deserve without the pain.

There are many reasons you could be victim to tooth sensitivity including fillings that are leaking or have not been sealed properly; a sensitive spot on the gum line; a misalignment in your bite; tooth decay; tooth grinding; or other reasons.

That is why it is important to have a thorough exam by a cosmetic dentist that knows what they are doing. You won’t want to go ahead with your smile makeover until you are confident that you know exactly what is causing your tooth sensitivity.

This post is sponsored by Gilbert dentist Vista Dorada Dental.

Related links: mercury-free dentist, sedation dentistry