Category Archives: Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain Veneers

Why Didn’t My Porcelain Veneers Work?

I was very excited to get porcelain veneers. I was told they could make my smile taller and wider and make my gums look even.  That’s what my dentist and I discussed. Unfortunately, that isn’t what I ended up with. Don’t get me wrong. the veneers look good, but nothing has changed the size of my teeth or my gums, which you can still see when I smile. Why didn’t they work? Were my expectations too high?

Samantha B. – Washington

Samantha,

Your expectations of porcelain veneers weren’t too high. I’d say your expectations for your dentist were.  Porcelain veneers can widen your smile, as well as many other things. However, the solution for your issue would have included gum contouring.  Additionally, it would have had to have been done before the veneers were made, not after.

It’s likely your dentist is a great family dentist who dabbles in cosmetic work. He doesn’t have any real expertise. You could talk to him about re-doing them, but I’m not sure he’d really know what to do. It sounds like you’ll likely have to have them re-done by someone with more artistic and technical training.

If I were in your place, I’d look for someone who is accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

This blog is brought to  you by Dr. Mike Malone.

Porcelain Veneers

Can porcelain veneers fix a tooth gap?

If I have a tooth gap between my center top front teeth, can porcelain veneers close the gap?

Lucy P – North Dakota

Lucy,

Yes, porcelain veneers can close a tooth gap. However, unless there are other things about your teeth you’d like to change, there is a less expensive fix.

Dental bonding is a simple way to close a tooth gap. It uses composite resin. Your dentist will manually shape it to your teeth, blending it to look naturally with your front teeth.

Porcleian veneers are better for a total smile makeover.  They can change the shape, size, and color of your teeth. They can completely remake your smile.

However, they do cost more than bonding. Which procedure you should get will be determined by your goals and desires for your smile.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Mike Malone.

Porcelain Veneers

Why can’t I floss my teeth?

I got porcelain veneers. I like them, but for some reason I’m no longer able to floss. Is that normal?

Hannah A. – Florida

Hannah,

No, it’s not normal. In fact, it’s bad for your teeth, including your porcelain veneers.

It’s possible your dentist skipped a step. As you’re dentist places each veneer, some bonding material squeezes out. Your dentist needed to go around those teeth carefully with dental floss.

To do that, your dentist would need two special curing tips. The first one very narrow (about 2mm). This one tacks the veneer into place so your dentist can floss it without the veneer popping off. After he flosses, he can use another curing tip (about 13mm) to cure it the rest of the way.

After all that, he should still go over it all again with fine polishing strips.  If your dentist didn’t take all those steps, it would explain why you can’t floss.

This blog is brought to you by Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Mike Malone.

Porcelain Veneers

Do I need to go out of town for a smile makeover?

I live in a small town. We do have a dentist and he said he could give me lumineers, but my sister is saying I’d be better off going to Atlanta for the makeover. That’s an hour and a half drive. Is it really worth that?

Amy D. – Georgia

Amy,

If I were in your place, I would drive to Atlanta. I know it is a drive, but you’d only have to do it twice. I assure you it will likely make a huge difference.

If your dentist is saying he could give you lumineers it has me concerned. Many artistic cosmetic dentists feel that will not give you the beautiful smile you’re looking for. They often prefer other brands of porcelain veneers. Many inexperienced dentists place them because they’re marketed as being easy to place, but they tend to be bulky and opaque.

What you really want is a dentist who has expertise and an artistic eye.  It’s ideal if you can go to a dentist who is accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

A dentist with that kind of skill will give you an absolutely stunning smile. If you’re ging to spend the money on a makeover, you want to make sure you get a gorgeous one.

This blog is brought to you by Lousiana Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Mike Malone.

Porcelain Veneers

Can bulimics get smile makeovers?

I’m bulimic. I’m getting a little better about it, but to be honest, I still purge sometimes. My teeth are in bad shape. I was wondering if it’s possible for me to get a smile makeover with porcelain veneers or if I damaged my teeth too much?

Olivia B. – Minnesotta

Olivia,

Congratulations on working on your bulimia. I know it is a hard road. Because Dr. Malone has worked with pageant contestants, he understands the difficulty of your situation.

One thing to  be aware of is that while you’re still struggling with your eating disorder, it will continue to damage your teeth, even teeth that are cosmetically restored.

Depending on the condition of your teeth, it can still be possible to get porcelain veneers. Go see a great cosmetic dentist. Look for someone who is AACD (American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry) accredited.  You will get a much more attractive smile that way.

Good luck with your treatment.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Mike Malone.

Porcelain Veneers

Beware of bad cosmetic dentists

I recently read a story on a cosmetic dentistry blog, of a woman who spent a small fortune to get her smile made over, only to end up with an average looking smile.  Here is the picture she sent.

bad-makeoverI don’t have the before picture, so we don’t know what the teeth looked like befre.  It’s not a horrible smile, but it’s not great either.  The teeth are off center and the color is drab.  When you’re paying for a smile makeover, you want something better.

Compare that with a makever that Dr. Malone did with porcelain veneers. Here we have both before and after pictures.

anne-smile-before
Before
After
After

There isn’t a recognized specialty in cosmetic dentistry.  Any general dentist can call themselves a cosmetic dentist.  But, as you can tell in the difference in the quality of work between the unnamed dentist at the top of this page and Dr. Malone’s directly above, there is a huge difference between calling yourself a cosmetic dentist and actually doing gorgeous work.

One way to assure you’ll get quality work is to use a dentist who has reached accreditation level with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). These are the top cosmetic dentists in the country.

This blog is brought to you by Lousiana Cosmetic Dentist Dr. MIke Malone.

 

Porcelain Veneers

Don’t listen to your dentist!

My dentist has recommended I get porcelain veneers to fix my teeth.  There is a large gap (about 10 mm). He thinks two veneers in the front should cover it.  I’m a little concerned, because the gap is so large and thought I should get a second opinion. What are your thoughts?

Brandon K. – Oklahoma

Brandon,

I’m exceedingly glad you wrote before you went forward with that treatment.  A 10mm gap is enough to fit in an entire new tooth.  Just placing two porcelain veners will look a little weird.  Plus, if you’re going to do porcelain veneers, you generally want to get all the visible teeth of your top arch done in a way that looks completely natural.

I would like you to see an AACD accredited dentist for a second opinion. These dentists are of the highest calibar of cosmetic dentists in the country.  They’ll be able to give you the most beautiful and natural solution to your situation.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Mike Malone.

Porcelain Veneers

My Lumineers make me look like a beaver!

I just spent and embarrassing amount of money on lumineers.  I was so excited to get a new smile, but when he put it one I was horribly disappointed.  They’re so bulky that I feel like a beaver.  IS there anything I can do to trim them down?

Rose T.  – Georgia

Rose,

I’m very sorry for the experience you’re having with your smile makeover.  Believe me, I’ve heard similar stories a thousand times.  It appears that you’ve had an inexperienced dentist to your porcelain veneers. Lumineers are simply one brand of porcelain veneers. They often appeal to inexperienced cosmetic dentists, because they are marketed as being very easy to place.

However, to do a smile makeover well, it requires a lot of post graduate training in cosmetic techniques.  It takes more than just technical skill though.  You need a dentist who has an artistic eye…..otherwise you end up looking like a beaver (or worse!).

Unfortunately, once porcelain veneers are bonded on there is nothing you can do to change them.  You’ll have to have an entire new set done.  It’s possible you can get at least a partial refund.  I’d start by asking your dentist.   IF he says no, you can get a second opinion by a highly skilled cosmetic dentist on your veneers.  He could add some pressure to your dentist.

Look for someone who is accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.  They’re the top cosmetic dentists in the world. You can be confident that you’ll get a smile that is stunning.

This blog is brought to you by Louisiana Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Mike Malone.

Porcelain Veneers

Should I get MAC Veneers for the lab?

I’ve heard that MAC veneers have the best lab. I want to get porcelain veneers. Should I get MAC veneers for that reason?

Drew M. – Indiana

Drew,

MAC Veneers are made at a good lab, but I think you would be better served choosing the best cosmetic dentist and letting them choose the lab.  If you were having your dream home built, Would you spend your time examing lumber and nails or would you find the best contractor you could and let them decide on the materials?

You want to let your dentist choose which brand of porcelain veneers to use and which lab.  Creating a smile is an art and dentists who are artistic like to choose their own tools.  Choosing the right dentist is the single best thing you can do toward getting the best smile possible.

I suggest you you get a dentist who is accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. These dentists are held to the highest standards of technique and artistry.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette LA Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Mike Malone.

Porcelain Veneers

Why are my veneers turning yellow?

I’ve only had my porcelain veneers for almost two months and they seem to be turning yellow. It’s quite disappointing, because I spent extra money to get my teeth whitened before I got my porcelain veneers. Now, my natural teeth are whiter than the teeth I had madeover. Is there some way to fix this?

Sienna P. – Maryland

Sienna,

I’m a little suspicous. If you’ve only had them for a little over a month, then they would retain their color for many years. If they’re turning yellow it means one of three things.

1. It’s possible they didn’t give you real porcelain veneers. but rather a cheaper resin material. If you thought they were giving your porcelain veneers and paid that price, it would be very dishonest and unethical for them to give you anything else.  You may consider going to another dentist and just asking what type of veneer have been placed.

2. The lab neglected to put the glaze on the veneers. While it is possible for this to happen it is certainly not common. However, it would explain why your veneers are picking up stains so quickly.

3. Something removed the glaze from the veneers. This can happen if your dental hygienist doesn’t understand how cosmetic dentistry works, they could have used something like a prophy jet on your veneers. That would have removed the glaze.

Whichever of these it is, you’ll need a second opinion from a dentist to help you figure out the actual cause and give you some options.

This blog is brought to you by Louisiana Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Mike Malone