Smile Makeover Archives - Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist

Why Is This Porcelain Veneer Popping Off?

Posted on September 5, 2023 by writeradmin.

I had some porcelain veneers placed a few months ago. Shortly after, one of the veneers on a canine tooth popped off while I was eating toast. My tooth instantly became unbearably sensitive. I went back to the dentist and he said the problem is that my bite is off. He did some shortening of the porcelain veneer and the tooth. When I asked if I needed to be numbed first, he told me it wasn’t necessary. That was a mistake. The procedure was very painful. Now, that same tooth has fallen off again. I had to go back, again because of the sensitivity. He told me the issue was still my bite and that now he needs to switch it to a dental crown. I’m a bit confused here. I was told these were supposed to last me ten years. I don’t want to destroy a tooth that is healthy. I did ask this dentist about his qualifications before going forward with the procedure. He told me he had a year training in cosmetic dentistry. What do you recommend here?

Patricia

* Note to readers. I asked who the dentist was so I could check up on this training.

Dear Patricia,

After looking up some information on this dentist, I see no post-doctoral training in cosmetic dentistry. My guess is that he is considering his one-year residency his training. This would not be adequate cosmetic training for smile makeovers even with the most liberal of definitions.

I also do not think your bite is the problem here. I think he does not know how to bond it properly. If it were your bite, then the repair he did to the bite should have fixed the problem. Plus, if a porcelain veneer is properly bonded, then if something is wrong with the bite the porcelain veneer will chip instead of fall off.

Please do not allow this dentist to put a crown on your tooth. He does not know what he is doing. Plus, your porcelain veneer can be bonded back on properly so that it will stay on. Go to either mynewsmile.com or aacd.com. These are two safe ways to get a recommended cosmetic dentist. Anyone on the mynewsmile recommendation list can bond this on properly for you. If you use the aacd site, make sure that you check the box saying that you are looking for an accredited cosmetic dentist. These are the only ones with the right credentials.

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

30K Cosmetic Dentistry Disaster

Posted on July 15, 2023 by writeradmin.

Can you help me find a different dentist. I just had a total smile makeover that included both dental crowns and porcelain veneers. This was done to fix both the damage done from my teeth grinding as well as cover my tetracycline stains. They look really opaque, which does give them a fake appearance. However, the thing I’m worried about is my jaw has been hurting. It didn’t hurt like this before the crowns and veneers were placed. I did have some low level aching because of the teeth grinding. However, now my jaw really hurts all the time. So much so that it is distracting. My dentist insists not only does everything look great but that he has passed all the check marks for proper placement. I’m at my wits end and have already spent $30,000 on this.

Laurie

Dear Laurie,

Under normal circumstances, it would be very hard for you to get this repaired without paying for the whole thing all over again. If the only problem is the appearance it is nearly impossible for you to get a refund. You’d think that wouldn’t be the case when you are talking about cosmetic work, but that is currently where it stands. However, you seem to be dealing with some functional issues. I don’t know how he thinks the markers for proper placement would not include your patient not being in pain.

It sounds like your bite may be thrown off a bit, which could be leading to complicating issues such as TMJ Disorder. This can work in your favor because it means that the case isn’t truly functional. We’ll go over how to get this diagnosed in a moment. First, I want to go over the difference between a general dentist and a true cosmetic dentist. Even though there is not a recognized specialty in cosmetic dentistry, there are some distinct differences.

One of those differences is the amount of training they get. Smile makeovers are not taught in dental school. In order for a dentist to truly learn the techniques and artistry required, they would need post doctoral training. Another important difference is how they treat the patient. A true cosmetic dentist would not be satisfied with the work if you weren’t. They would first do a temporary try in and allow you to look at it in several different lights and make sure you are completely thrilled with the results. Even a little hesitation would cause them to ask, “What do you wish was different?” and it would go back to the lab to make the changes.

The easiest way for you to find one of these dentists would be to go to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry’s (AACD) website. They have a “find a cosmetic dentist” link. Make sure you check the box that says you want an Accredited Cosmetic Dentist. These are among the top 1% of cosmetic dentist’s in the country. Have one of them examine your case. It will be helpful if they also have TMJ training. They can tell you if your current dentist’s work threw off your bite. If that is the case, then they can help you secure a refund so you can get this done properly by a qualified dentist.

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

Why Do I Need Root Canals after Porcealin Veneers?

Posted on May 15, 2023 by writeradmin.

My dentist gave me a complete smile makeover with veneer crowns. When the permanent ones were placed in, two of them had sharp pains. The dentist adjusted them about 3 times and eventually the pain went away. However, not long after those same teeth developed abscesses on the top of them. He did some x-rays and said that the nerves died and those teeth need a root canal treatment. I was a bit shocked because he never mentioned nerve damage as a possibility. He said he didn’t know why it happened and I’m just unlucky when it comes to this. Since then, three more teeth have needed root canal treatments and two more teeth are starting to hurt. I feel like each of these teeth are going to “fail” at some time. I also feel like I’ve been taken advantage of. Is there anything I can do about this?

Miranda

Dear Miranda,

I am going to start by clarifying some terms because there is something that has me concerned you were misled. You mentioned you received a smile makeover with veneer crowns. That is not a thing. There are porcelain crowns and there are porcelain veneers. The two of these are very different procedures. You can see that even from the type of tooth preparation necessary.

Notice in the image above, on the left side there is a LOT of tooth preparation. This is what happens when your teeth are given dental crowns. On the right, is the preparation for porcelain veneers. I believe you were given crowns for a couple of reasons. First, it is pretty much unheard of for someone to need a root canal treatment as a result of porcelain veneers. Second, you said something about the permanent ones. It is dental crowns which start with temporaries and then go to permanent. However, there are times you’re given a mock up of your porcelain veneers and allowed to try them in to see if that is what you were wanting for your smile makeover.

A smile makeover does not require the aggressive grinding down of the teeth. That is why porcelain veneers are the standard. With dental crowns, if there is too aggressive a tooth preparation the dentist risks exposing the pulp. This is what I think your dentist did. Many dentists who did not invest in post-doctoral training will do porcelain crowns instead of veneers because it is what they are more familiar with. If your dentist lied to you and hinted you were getting veneers, then you need to demand a refund as well as for him to cover the cost of the root canal treatments. If he didn’t say you were getting porcelain veneers and you just assumed that, you can still ask him to cover the root canal treatments because he is the one who ground down your teeth too aggressively.

I’m sorry you are dealing with this. For those reading this considering a smile makeover, it is always better to have a smile makeover done by someone with the right training. I would recommend you use a dentist who is AACD accredited.

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

Did I REALLY Get daVinci Crowns?

Posted on March 2, 2023 by writeradmin.

I wanted to get a smile makeover, but have never been happy with the dental work that gets done in my area. I was very upfront with my dentist about this. He suggested that I get dental crowns and we have the work done by the da Vinci lab in California. He said they have a reputation for being the best of the dental labs. I thought this sounded okay and we went forward. When the crowns finally came in, my dentist called me for a try in, but when I got there he said they weren’t happy with the crowns and were going to have them readjusted to meet with what he asked for. I was a bit confused by this because he told me they were the best. Then, before I left, some man came to pick them up and work on them. I don’t think they noticed I saw that. Now, how would a guy from a California lab get all the way to Mississippi the same day? I mean, yes, he could fly, but would they really fly someone out for this or just have the dentist send them back? I’m worried I’m being taken.

Evie

Dear Evie,

I’m afraid you are being taken as well. My best guess is, if he sent them to daVinci to begin with, that he’s having a local guy make the changes. That is not what you agreed to so he is being dishonest there. I will say there are some other red flags here as well.

When someone wants a smile makeover, the standard for that is porcelain veneers, not porcelain crowns. Now it is possible that you already had dental crowns there and that is why your dentist suggested them. If you didn’t, then that is a sign your dentist is not a skilled cosmetic dentist. They will often suggest crowns because that is a basic procedure they were taught in dental school and porcelain veneers require post-doctoral learning.

What Matters Most – the Dentist or the Lab?

The truth is even though the daVinci lab has branded itself as one of the top ceramist labs in the country, they are a large lab. Not all of their ceramists are what is known as master ceramists. These are the ones who would create the most beautiful work. daVinci will save their master ceramists for some of the top cosmetic dentists in the country and then give the unskilled dentist’s work to one of their lower level ceramists. Why is this?

The reason behind that is no matter how good a ceramist is, it will not make up for the deficiencies of the dentist. When it comes to smile makeovers it is the skill of the dentist that makes all the difference. They design the smile. All the lab can do is follow directions. Granted some follow directions better than others, but even the best ceramist cannot make up for a poorly designed smile makeover.

I am going to suggest you not allow your dentist to bond on these porcelain crowns until you approve them. He should use a temporory try in paste and you should get to see them in several different lightings. If you don’t love them, have him send them back to the lab. If he tells you that you are being too picky, remind him that it is a smile makeover and you are supposed to be picky. If he can’t get it right then maybe he should refund you and let you see a dentist that can do it the way you want.

If it comes to that, you will want to see a dentist who is AACD accredited. These are the top cosmetic dentists in the country.

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

Picking the Color for my Smile Makeover

Posted on February 10, 2023 by writeradmin.

I am finally getting a smile makeover and I am trying to pick the color so I know what I want to get when I see the dentist. I am thinking about a BL4 because I want a white smile, but I don’t want it to look unnaturally white. Do you think this is the right choice for me?

Teddy

Dear Teddy,

How exciting that you are finally getting the smile makeover you have always wanted! If you want quite a white smile, but not unnaturally white, I would say either a BL4 or an A1. To be honest, though, the key to a beautiful smile makeover is not the color you choose, but the artistry of the dentist.

You should be aware going into this that cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized specialty. Any general dentist can call themselves a cosmetic dentist even though smile makeovers are not taught in dental school. If a dentist wanted to develop real skills in cosmetic dentistry, they would need to invest in post-doctoral training. It takes both technical skill and an artistic eye to create a beautiful smile.

A great cosmetic dentist will sit down with you and talk about what type of smile you want. They would go over the character (youthful, sporty, etc), color, and a few other things to have a real idea of the smile design you have in mind when you think about the smile of your dreams.

From there, the dentist will design the smile and make a mock up. Even after the lab finishes the porcelain veneers, your dentist should place them with a temporary try-in paste and make certain you get to look at them in a variety of lighting. You should be able to give your approval or suggest changes before anything is permanently bonded.

The safest way for you to find a true cosmetic dentist with real skill is to look for someone who is AACD accredited. These dentists have proven skill and artistry.

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

A Way to Guarantee a Beautiful Smile Makeover

Posted on November 18, 2022 by writeradmin.

I want to have a smile makeover done because I have never liked my smile. I am ready to invest in something great, but I am concerned about the results. I’ve had two friends get smile makeovers. One looked great and the other really was a disappointment. I think her smile was prettier before her makeover. The veneers are even darker than her original smile. I didn’t want to tell her she got ripped off but that is what I was thinking. If I am going to do this, I want to make sure I get the nice one. Is there a way to make sure that happens?

Kevin

Dear Kevin,

I commend you for both your caution and your research. To answer your question, yes, there is a way to guarantee that you will receive a great smile makeover. Often we get questions such as, “What materials should I choose for my smile makeover?” or “What type of porcelain veneers should I get, Lumineers or DuraThin?” But the materials do not make the biggest difference when it comes to smile makeovers. My guess is your two friends went to two different dentists because that is the key. The dentist.

Think of it like commissioning a painting. Let’s say you want a portrait of the love of your life done. You hire two artists to do the same portrait. You can give both of them the same materials. The same canvas. The same brushes. The same paints. Yet, the portraits will turn out differently. Why? Because each artist has different skill levels.

If you want a great smile makeover, I would look for a cosmetic dentist who has great post-doctoral training and beautiful artistry. That is a lot of legwork, so if you want a shortcut, my suggestion is to look for an AACD accredited dentist. These dentists have passed stringent exams on their technical knowledge, as well as demonstrated artistry on a large number of cases they’ve done personally. Any one of them can create a gorgeous smile for you.

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

My Smile Makeover Is Turning Yellow

Posted on September 30, 2022 by writeradmin.

I spent a good amount of money hoping to get my dream smile makeover. It’s been a disaster from the beginning. I selected a very white color because my natural teeth were very white. I just didn’t like their shape. My dentist gave me six porcelain crowns. However, when the came in they didn’t look as white as I expected. He assured me it is the color I asked for. Now, to make matters worse, the crowns seem to stain every time I even drink something. I am going in for a consultation with another dentist and I have no idea what to even ask him. Do you have any recommendations?

Dinah

Dear Dinah,

a porcelain veneer being placed on a tooth

Porcelain Veneers

I am sorry this happened to you. The first thing I’d like to ask is why dental crowns? Typically, a smile makeover is done with porcelain veneers. Was there some decay on the teeth that required crowns or were there already crowns there? Either way, it is water under the bridge. Those teeth will always need dental crowns from now on because the structure of the tooth has been ground down to fit the crowns over them.

One other thing that bothers me is why the crowns are picking up stains. If he truly gave you porcelain crowns, they would be very stain resistant. In fact, they’d be even more stain resistant than your natural teeth. I’m prone to wonder if he just said they were porcelain but used some other type of material. That is the first thing I’d have the dentist you are going to for a consultation look at.

However, let’s back up a bit. What makes you think this dentist you are going to get the consultation from is any better than the one who provided your disappointing results to begin with? I would make sure you are going to an expert cosmetic dentist. Look for someone who is AACD accredited. Then you’ll be certain to have an expert with both technical and artistic skill to work on your smile.

By the way, if it turns out your dentist gave you something other than porcelain crowns, you can get your money back because of misrepresentation.

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

Fixing a Gummy Smile

Posted on June 30, 2022 by writeradmin.

I have a gummy smile and wondered if there is something my dentist can do to change that and give me one of those smile makeovers I keep seeing online?

Penny

Dear Penny,

It is possible to have a beautiful smile makeover done for someone with a gummy smile. However, one word of caution. this is very advanced and way beyond the capabilities of your typical dentist. You will need an expert cosmetic dentist for this. Beware of dentists who want to send you to an oral surgeon and cut your upper jaw. Not only is this invasive and expensive, but unnecessary and dangerous. It will likely lead you to TMJ Disorder.

Instead, you want a cosmetic dentist to do what is known as a gum lift. This removes a small amount of gum tissue, which will expose the bone beneath. Then, they can place porcelain veneers, which will cover the bone and completely make-over your smile.

Porcelain veneers can change anything you want about your smile, including the shape, size, and color. Please only go to an expert cosmetic dentist with this. I would look for someone who is AACD accredited. These are among the top 1% of cosmetic dentists in the country.

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

Smile Makeover Disaster with Tetracycline Stains

Posted on April 18, 2022 by writeradmin.

I have tetracycline-stained teeth. I went to my dentist who is very reputable and has done a great job for me over the years. I was considering porcelain veneers, but my dentist talked me into porcelain crowns saying that they would help cover the stains better. This did not turn out to be the case. The gray is visible with each of the crowned teeth AND the crowns look fake, so it’s obvious I have fake teeth. But, not even pretty fake teeth. He said he can send them back to the lab. I’m so confused. I looked online and there is a woman from a different dentist who has beautiful teeth after getting her tetracycline teeth made over and she used porcelain veneers! What has gone wrong with my teeth? Will doing them again with crowns make a difference? I don’t think I can get porcelain veneers after I have crowns, right?

Leslie

Dear Leslie,

You are correct that you will always have to have crowns now that you have them. This is because the teeth have been ground down to little nubs. That tooth structure is gone. In a way you have answered your other question already. You said, “…a woman from a different dentist.” The key to any smile makeover is the dentist who does it. One warning sign is when a dentist suggests porcelain crowns over porcelain veneers when the tooth is healthy and does not need a crown. These dentists are either not comfortable doing porcelain veneers to begin with or do not have enough skill in them and think that the added structure of dental crowns will make it easier to cover the stains.

Sending it back to the lab will only help if he can give them good directions. A lab is more like a pharmacy who fills the prescription of the doctor. It is the doctor that has to come up with the right diagnosis and the appropriate medicine for it. I am not convinced he can write the correct directions. However, there is no harm in allowing him to try. If you do that, do it on the condition that he uses a temporary try-in paste and if you don’t love them the second time then you get a refund. You should get to see them in several lights before making a decision.

If you end up needing a refund, you will want to look for an expert cosmetic dentist. The easiest way for you to do this is to look for a dentist who is accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. AACD accredited dentists have proven skill and artistry. They can give you a beautiful smile whether using porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns.

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

What Do You Think of GlamSmile?

Posted on February 15, 2022 by writeradmin.

I want to get a smile makeover and recently read about something called GlamSmile. It is supposed to be less expensive and the dentist can place them in just one hour. Have you looked into these? If so, what do you think of them?

Brooke

Dear Brooke,

I’m glad you wrote. I think I can help you and save you a major disappointment. Here are some things to consider with GlamSmile:

First, similarly to Lumineers, they are marketed to inexperienced cosmetic dentists as being super easy to place. GlamSmile tells them that the lab does all the work so they don’t need extensive post-doctoral training to place these. There are countless examples of cosmetic dentistry horror stories of patients from both Lumineers and GlamSmile, and even other brands of traditional porcelain veneers. where patients were distraught because they spent a fortune on a smile makeover that actually made their smile look worse. This is because the brand does not matter nearly as much as the technical and artistic skill of the dentist doing the makeover.

Second, they have another marketing push that is telling dentists that they can make five times their normal means in the same amount of time they normally would spend with a patient in the chair. Whenever you push how much you’ll make to dentists, it stops becoming “which is best for the patient” and tempts dentists to push certain procedures which can increase their profit.

Finally, I am quite skeptical about their suggestion that this can be done in one hour. In fact, even they say the dentist may need to schedule a second appointment to finish up removing excess cement. Generally, to do this well, would take around three or more hours.

So, what should you do? Instead of looking for a specific brand, I am going to suggest you change your thought process to looking for the right dentist. You need someone with extensive post-doctoral training, as well as technical skill and artistry. The easiest way to find a dentist like this is to go to an AACD accredited dentist. These have proven skills.

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