Porcelain Veneers Archives - Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist

Dealing with a Chipped Lower Incisor

Posted on November 30, 2023 by writeradmin.

I have a lower incisor that is chipped. It is a bit irritating and I’m worried people can see the chip when I am talking. My dentist tried to repair it with dental bonding but that fell off after a few days. Is there a way to just regrow the broken part?

Olivia

Dear Olivia,

With a lower incisor there is always the problem with the upper teeth causing an issue with the dental bonding. This is because the incisal edges hit the insides of the upper incisors every time you close your mouth. Dental bonding is more susceptible to those type of stresses. You would need an expert dentist to who has studied occlusion to know how to avoid those type of stresses. Otherwise, the bonding will break.

Another option for fixing this is with a porcelain veneer. These are a bit stronger and last longer than dental bonding. While bonding will last a few years, veneers can last for decades if well cared for.

With either one of these procedures you will want a dentist with significant post-doctoral training and expertise in both occlusial studies as well as cosmetic dentistry.

In your position, I would look for a dentist who is AACD accredited. These are the top cosmetic dentists in the country and they will have the skills to give you not only a repair that will last, but that will also blend seamlessly with the rest of your smile.

If you can’t find a skilled cosmetic dentist in your area, then a last resort would be to have the dentist smooth out the chip. That would only be a last resort. You may have to travel to a nearby city, but I’m sure you can find a skilled cosmetic dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.

Crowns or Veneers for Tetracycline Stains

Posted on October 31, 2023 by writeradmin.

I have severe tetracycline stains that I am ready to get cosmetically treated. I’ve seen two dentists about this. The first suggested porcelain veneers, the second dentist suggested porcelain crowns. The price quoted to me for the veneers is almost double that for the crowns. Can I acheive the same beautiful result with either porcedure? I like the idea of saving money, but don’t want subpar results.

Avery

Dear Avery,

It is an exciting time when you are getting to plan your smile makeover. I am glad you wrote. The single biggest factor that detrmines the beauty of your case is not necessarily which procedure, but which dentist. Think of cosmetic dentistry as an art form. If I commissioned two painters to do the same portrait with the exact same materials, the portraits would not be exactly the same. This is because the skill and artistry varies from painter to painter. The same is true of cosmetic dentists.

Now factor in that you are dealing with severe tetracycline stains and the dentist becomes even more important. Tetracycline stains are one of the most advanced cases in cosmetic dentistry and quite difficult to do.

The standard treatment for this would be to have porcelain veneers placed. Usually, dentist who suggest porcealin crowns do so because they do not have the skill to cover the stains with the thin wafers of porcelain that make up veneers and think that using dental crowns will make that easier. This is not the case.

With dental crowns, you also want to consider that there is significantly more grinding of the teeth for preparation. This weakens the teeth and puts them at greater risk down the road. Plus, you can never backtrack from dental crowns. Once the tooth structure is gone, it’s gone. There is not a way to get it back.

Just because the first dentist suggested veneers instead of crowns, does not necessarily make him an expert cosmetic dentist. The easiest way for you to find an expert, artistic cosmetic dentist is to go to the AACD.com website. They have a find a cosmetic dentist link. However, it is important that you check that you want an accredited dentist. AACD accredited dentists are the top cosmetic dentists in the country. Any one of them can ensure you get a beautiful smile, even with severe tetracycline stains.

This blog is brought to you by Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.

A Single Porcelain Veneer Turning Dark

Posted on July 8, 2023 by writeradmin.

I have eight porcelain veneers on the top arch and six on the bottom. A few months after they were placed, I chipped one in a fall. The dentist buffed the tooth down so it would be even. Then he had to buffer down the partner tooth on the other side so they would be even. Fast forward a few months and now one of her teeth has turned bluish and has a darker spot underneath. I went back to the dentist and he said that he had no idea what I was talking about. He was pretty put out and said he was “excellent with color design.” His professional opinion is that I’m being too picky. However, I assure you that the color has changed. I don’t know what to do and I am worried that this veneer will fall off. Do you have any recommendations?

Carolyn

Dear Carolyn,

First, I am going to tell you that your dentist does not sound like a true cosmetic dentist. A dentist who has done a significant amount of post-doctoral training would never tell a patient they are being too picky. Their goal is to make sure the patient has the smile of their dreams.

Bear in mind that I haven’t examined you or even seen images. However, going solely on your description it sounds like you have a leaky veneer. This means that the bond between your tooth and your porcelain veneer is failing. The changing color is debris getting caught between your porcelain veneer and your tooth.

This needs to be fixed or you can end up with severe decay on that tooth. My suggestion is to go back to your dentist and have him fix this tooth. You may need to show him this blog post. If that doesn’t work, get a second opinion from an expert cosmetic dentist that examines you. One way to find an expert cosmetic dentist is to go to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Website (aacd.com). In their “Find a Dentist” link make sure you check that you want a dentist who is accredited. AACD accredited dentists are among the top 1% of cosmetic dentists in the country with proven skill and artistry.

When you get that second opinion, make sure it is a blind one. They should not know who your dentist is or what he said about the veneer that you are concerned about. If it turns out that it is a leaky veneer and needs to be replaced/rebonded, then he or she can give that recommendation to your dentist. Peer pressure is a thing, even in professional circles.

This blog is brought to you by Philadelphia Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.

Am I Too Young for Porcelain Veneers?

Posted on June 22, 2023 by writeradmin.

I am 21 years old and want to get a smile makeover. I had braces years ago, but some of the gaps are back. Plus, I was a bit of what my parents dubbed a tom-boy so I’ve chipped quite a few teeth. Now, I’m graduating from college soon and want to start thinking about a professional look. I want a nice smile. Am I too young to get porcelain veneers? If so, would bonding be a good substitute? As for the dentist, my general dentist doesn’t do porcelain veneers but said he’s willing to learn if it is important to me. I’m not sure I want to wait for him to learn so do I just look for one who already does them?

Phoebe

Dear Phoebe,

I am glad you wrote. You have some great questions. Let’s jump right in. First, you are not too young for porcelain veneers. The important factor is that all your teeth are fully developed. This generally happens around 18 years of age, so you should be fine. I don’t recommend dental bonding for full smile makeovers. They are not as useful over large surfaces. Instead, their sweet spots are small gaps or chips. You mentioned those, but if you have a lot of them and/or want to change other things about your smile, you are still better off with porcelain veneers. They are more durable, as well as beautiful.

You are wise not to go with your general dentist. It takes years of post-doctoral training, as well some natural artistry to be skilled with doing smile makeovers. It is not something taught in dental school, nor is it a recognized specialty. As a result, it is up to the patient to figure out the best dentist to do their smile makeover.

I am going to suggest that you use a dentist who has reached accreditation with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. AACD accredited dentists are proven in both their technical knowledge as well as their artistry. You will get a stunning smile.

This blog is brought to you by Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.

Will Medicaid Cover Porcelain Veneers?

Posted on April 29, 2023 by writeradmin.

I’m a forty-seven year old cancer survivor. In the late 90s, I had porcelain veneers placed and really loved them. Unfortunately, the cancer treatments have done a number on my oral health and my gums have receded making my smile look ridiculous. I’m broke from medical expenses but am on Medicaid. Is there any chance because this is a medical issue that they would cover the expense of me getting my porcelain veneers replaced?

Carmen

Dear Carmen,

I am sorry about what you went through with your cancer, but am glad you are a survivor! The problem you are up against is government based medical insurance. Let’s say that they agreed this was caused by a medical problem, which they probably won’t if they can get away with it. For instance, they can say you caused the receding gums and you’d have little way of proving otherwise, even though we know cancer treatments are horrible for teeth and gums, etc.

However, let’s say for argument’s sake that they agreed. National health care will only cover the least expensive treatment. In your case, that would mean extracting all of your teeth and giving you dentures. Something you most definitely do NOT want, especially at your young age.

I don’t know what type of dental insurance you have, if any, but I’d start by looking there. If that is no help, your best bet is to just begin to save up so you can get this done right. You don’t have to get all the porcelain veneers placed at once. You could do them one or two at a time as you have money.

Just remember, when it comes to cosmetic work, do not go to the cheapest dentist. This is an art and you want a smile that looks beautiful and a dentist who can match what you loved about your smile makeover, to begin with. There are countless cosmetic dentistry horror stories and you do not want to be one of them. If your original dentist who did your veneers isn’t available, look for someone who is AACD accredited.

This blog is brought to you by Philadephia Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.

Will Vaping Stain My New Porcelain Veneers?

Posted on January 3, 2023 by writeradmin.

I just received six porcelain veneers and I really love them. I even tried to quit smoking as a means of keeping them healthy and white. Unfortunately, I found that a bit harder than expected. Instead of starting back to smoking, I sort of switched to vaping. I’m currently vaping four to five times a day. Can you tell me if this will cause stains on my porcelain veneers, the way smoking would?

Jenny

Dear Jenny,

Congratulations on both the porcelain veneers and your efforts in getting rid of tobacco in your life. I can tell you are making real efforts to improve things. One of the biggest benefits you will find from giving up tobacco is the increased health to your gums. There is a strong link between smoking and gum disease because the nicotine reduces the blood flow your gums need to stay healthy.

Is Vaping Healthier than Smoking?

Maybe. There is some debate. It certainly has less nicotine than smoking, which is why it is often used as a means of helping people to wean off of cigarettes. However, there is some concern about its impact on users’ lungs. In fact, there is a new issue dubbed popcorn lung that we think is a result of vaping. I would suggest you talk to your dentist about alternatives in order to help you truly quit smoking without trading one health risk for another.

Will Vaping Stain Your Teeth?

Vaping liquids contain propylene glycol/glycerin that are flavored, along with nicotine and water. Some of them contain added colors and some do not. Some good news is that porcelain veneers are quite stain resistant. They are even more stain resistant than your natural tooth structure. That does not mean they will not pick up stains if you are constantly vaping, but know that porcelain gives you the best chance of keeping a white smile.

Be aware though that most smiles are eight to ten teeth wide. You have six veneers, which means your natural teeth will be visible when you smile. Hopefully, your dentist had you whiten your teeth before getting your porcelain veneers so they could be close in color. If not, don’t panic. You can whiten them now without causing any damage to your new veneers.

I recommend that you use Supersmile Toothpaste to keep your porcelain veneers as well as your natural teeth clean, bright, and white. The natural teeth will stain before the porcelain veneers but you want to keep everything as clean as possible. This is a whitening toothpaste that is safe for both cosmetic dental work and natural tooth structure.

This blog is brought to you by Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.

Can I Get Porcelain Veneers with a Missing Front Tooth

Posted on August 31, 2022 by writeradmin.

I have a removable partial denture on a front tooth, which looks absolutely awful. Even having my dentist redo the work a couple of times made no difference. My two front teeth look totally different. I’d like to get a pretty smile, but don’t know if it is even possible to get porcelain veneers when I am missing a tooth. Help!

Deanna

Dear Deanna,

Dental Implant

There are some great options for you. I should tell you off the bat, you will probably have to go to a different dentist to have them done, though. Even your removable partial denture could have been made to look beautiful if your dentist and the lab he used had artistic ability. Most family dentists are of an engineering rather than aesthetic mindset. You need one with both.

If you are perfectly happy with your teeth, other than the replacement, your first and cheapest option is to just replace the partial using an expert cosmetic dentist. I’d suggest someone who is AACD accredited, which is different than just a membership with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. If, however, you want the best tooth replacement, you could upgrade to a dental implant (pictured above). This places a prosthetic root in your jaw and then a dental crown on top. It’s the most secure replacement you can get.

a porcelain veneer being placed on a tooth

Porcelain Veneers

As for a smile makeover, if you are not pleased with the remainder of your teeth, then yes, you can still get a smile makeover with porcelain veneers. A great cosmetic dentist will be able to seamlessly blend all the materials used to create a uniform, beautiful, and natural looking smile. Just make sure you go to the right dentist to do it. Otherwise, you are just spending more money for poor results.

This blog is brought to you by Philadelphia Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.

Did Listerine Turn My Porcelain Veneers Gray?

Posted on July 5, 2022 by writeradmin.

I had ten porcelain veneers placed on my upper teeth about 7 months ago. I have tried to take very good care of them by brushing thoroughly with a hard toothbrush and using Listerine to keep the bacteria away. Now my porcelain veneers have turned gray over the entire surface. Could the Listerine have done this? They never really gave me any instructions on how to take care of them so now I wonder if I did something wrong without knowing it. If I damaged them, is there any way to fix it?

Mary Ellen

Dear Mary Ellen,

I am sorry that your porcelain veneers have turned gray. I am disappointed that your dentist never gave you instructions on how to care for these. While Listerine can damage your porcelain veneers because of the alchohol content in it, the damage would be more to the margins, not the surface. There are a couple of things that could be the cause of them turning gray.

The first is that you do not actually have porcelain veneers. Some unethical dentists tell their patients they are getting porcelain veneers, when in reality they are only giving them composite bonding. This will deteriorate and stain much sooner than veneers.

A second possibility is that your dentist or hygienist did something to damage the surface of the porcelain veneers at your last cleaning. If they used something like a Power Prophy Jet or acidulated fluoride, it will destroy the glazing on your porcelain veneers.

Either way, it is your dentist’s fault that this happened. My recommendation is that you go to see an expert cosmetic dentist. Don’t tell them who did the work, just ask them if they are actually porcelain or composite and whether or not they can tell what is wrong with them. Look for someone who is AACD accredited. These are the top cosmetic dentists in the country and can give you some good feedback.

Caring For Your Porcelain Veneers

Mouthwash is not really necessary, but if you feel you need it, make sure you look at the ingredients and only get some that is alchohol free.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. These are actually better for your natural teeth too.
Most over-the-counter toothpastes are fine, with the exception of whitening toothpastes. Whitening toothpastes tend to have abrasives in them, which you do not want. However, if you are looking for the best toothpaste for porcelain veneers, I would look into SuperSmile toothpaste. This brand is specifically designed for cosmetic dental work.

This blog is brought to you by Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.

Porcelain Veneers are Too White Again

Posted on May 31, 2022 by writeradmin.

I am frustrated and need an objective opinion. I went to a dentist because I wanted my lower teeth to match my uppers that had porcelain veneers placed on them a couple of years ago. The upper veneers were an A2. My dentist placed 8 veneers on the lower teeth. The first set was obviously too white and I asked him to send them back and make sure they match the uppers. When the second set came in, he placed them without me getting to look at them. I thought he was just putting them on with temporary stuff the way he did the first time, but he just bonded them on. He said he did that because he knew they were the right color this time. They still do not match. They’re still whiter than the upper teeth which is very noticeable to me and makes the top teeth less attractive. To top it off, less than a month later, one of them broke off. He said he’s willing to replace them free of charge for the first year. I’m having doubts about this whole thing. What do I do?

Neva

Dear Neva,

I’m glad you wrote. Your dentist placing these porcelain veneers without your permission puts him in some trouble. Consent is a very important concept in both the medical and dental fields. You did not give yours, therefore he should not have placed them. He said he “knew” they matched. That obviously wasn’t the case. It sounds like he knew they didn’t match and didn’t want to have to send them back again.

It’s one thing if your upper teeth are whiter than your lowers, but the opposite is unacceptable. Additionally, one of them broke already. They don’t break because they’re not strong enough. They break because the dentist does not bond them on properly.

I’m wondering why your dentist didn’t just suggest whitening your lower teeth, instead of placing eight expensive veneers. Teeth whitening is the standard for lower teeth unless there is some structural changes you want.

Go to your dentist and ask for a refund so you can get this done properly. If he fusses, let him know you’ll be talking to the dental board and an attorney if necessary about him bonding them on without consent. That should sober him up a bit.

This blog is brought to you by Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.

Can’t Floss My Porcelain Veneers

Posted on April 10, 2022 by writeradmin.

I recently had porcelain veneers placed a week and a half ago. I have a couple of questions because they were a huge investment for me and I want to take good care of them. First, is Oral B Pro Expert Toothpaste good for them? Second, I’m having trouble flossing the porcelain veneers. Is there some special tool for them?

Carol

Dear Carol,

Let’s start with the easy one. There is nothing unique or special about the Oral B toothpaste. However, there is nothing harmful in it either. One of the things I do warn against is most whitening toothpastes. This is because they use an abrasive to remove your tooth stains. The big problem with that is that it will scratch your porcelain veneers, which in turn will damage the surface and cause them to pick up stains.

There are exceptions. In fact, there is a toothpaste I specifically recommend to use with porcelain veneers because it is designed to be used with cosmetic dental work called Supersmile Toothpaste. While this is whitening toothpaste, it is not made with abrasives. Instead, it uses a chemical ingredient that causes your tooth stains to attach to a protein pellicle that the chemical breaks down.

The flossing is a more complicated issue. It is important that you should be able to floss your teeth with your porcelain veneers. The fact that you can’t means either the lab did something wrong in designing them or your dentist did by not cleaning off the excess cement. This could lead to you developing gum disease. Your dentist needs to look at this to repair it.

This blog is brought to you by Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.