Tag Archives: Porcelain Veneers

Invisalign

Fixing Misaligned Teeth Without Braces

I have some misaligned teeth, especially in the front. They’re not horrible, they’re just not in the right place. My dentist wants me to do a full set of braces. I’m not too keen on that idea. I’m 42 and have a professional job. Is there another option? I asked about Invisalign, but he said that the Invisalign treatment was not meant for misaligned teeth. What are they for then? If that won’t work, what will that isn’t braces?

Frank

Dear Frank,

Invisalign aligner

I am glad you wrote. I am not sure why your dentist said that Invisalign would not work for misalignment. That is exactly what the procedure is for. My guess is that he doesn’t offer the procedure and he is leading you to braces so you don’t switch to a dentist who has a broader service offering.

You mentioned that your teeth were not that bad, just a bit out of alignment. If that is the case, then you have a couple of options. The first is Invisalign. It will straighten your teeth. If you want to whiten them too, the aligners can double as teeth whitening trays. This will allow you to straighten and whiten your teeth at the same time. Both of these are simple procedures that pretty much any dentist who offers them can do for you.

However, if there are other things you would like to improve about your smile, you also have the option of getting a complete smile makeover. It will not actually straighten your teeth, but when done by an expert cosmetic dentist, it will make your smile look straight. Using porcelain veneers, you can change anything about your smile, including the shape, size, and color of your teeth all at the same time. This is the procedure that Hollywood celebrities go to in order to get their gorgeous smiles.

Unlike the first option, you will need to go to a dentist with serious cosmetic dentistry training to do your smile makeover. The best cosmetic dentists are accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). If you want to go with the complete smile makeover, look for a practice that has an expert cosmetic dentist. For instance, at Camellia Dental Dr. Mike Malone does our cosmetic cases.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Dentist Drs. Foreman and Thimmesch.

Zoom Whitening

Zoom Whitening for Tetracycline Stains

I talked to my dentist about solutions for my tetracycline stains. I cannot afford porcelain veneers and told him that. His suggestion is that I use Zoom Whitening because it is very strong. Before I get my hopes up about this solution, I wanted to get a second opinion. Do you think this is a viable solution for my smile?

Kelli

Dear Kelli,

Zoom Whitening Logo

I appreciate that your dentist is trying to find a solution for you that does not include porcelain veneers. He was sort of on the right track. If you are persistent enough, and I mean really persistent, then teeth whitening can greatly improve the look of your smile, even with tetracycline stains. It will not look as beautiful as porcelain veneers would when done by and expert cosmetic dentist, but it can make a big difference. The downside is that it will take many months.

Because of the amount of whitening necessary to make a real impact, I don’t think Zoom Whitening is your best option. It is more expensive than tray whitening and you will need so many treatments that it will not be cost effective.

My suggestion is that you have at-home tray whitening done. Your dentist will make you custom-fitted trays for your teeth and then can provide you with whitening gel that you will wear at your convenience. The longer you can wear them each day, the faster your teeth will whiten. It is much more affordable for you to keep purchasing new gel to put in the bleaching trays, than it will be to do additional Zoom treatments.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Dentists Drs. Foreman and Thimmesch.

Invisalign

Do I Need Porcelain Veneers, Teeth Whitening AND Invisalign?

I am a bit confused. I thought that porcelain veneers could make teeth look straight and white. When I went to see my dentist about getting a smile makeover with porcelain veneers, he said I would need to get my teeth whitened first, next Invisalign, THEN I can get porcelain veneers. I really don’t understand why three procedures. The only thing crooked on my teeth is a slight overlap of my front teeth. I truly thought the porcelain veneers would take care of that. Do I need all three procedures?

Samantha

Dear Samantha,

Invisalign aligner

No, you should not need all three procedures. Two makes sense. The third does not. Which two you get will depend on your goals. If you are wanting your teeth to simply be whiter and straighter, then you would save a LOT of money by having teeth whitening and Invisalign. In fact, you could do both of these procedures at the same time. This is because the Invisalign aligners can double as teeth whitening trays.

If, however, you were wanting to change the shape or size of your teeth, then your best option is to get teeth whitening and porcelain veneers. You may be wondering why both? Most people’s smile is eight to ten teeth wide. If you cannot get that many porcelain veneers, you will want to whiten your teeth before getting the porcelain veneers so that the teeth can blend together more naturally. Most people do not place veneers on their bottom teeth unless they feel the need to change their appearance. In most cases, the will just whiten the bottom arch. You will not need the Invisalign in this case because a skilled cosmetic dentist can make those front teeth look perfectly straight.

So why is your dentist suggesting all three? The most logical reason is that he or she is not skilled enough to make the teeth look straight. If you want porcelain veneers, you will want to have an expert cosmetic dentist to do the procedure. If you decide to do Invisalign and teeth whitening, just about any dentist who does Invisalign can do both procedures.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Dentists Drs. Foreman and Thimmesch.

Emergency Dentist

Discolored Porcelain Veneer

My daughter is in college and still has several weeks before she gets out for the summer. A couple of years ago she had eight porcelain veneers placed on her upper teeth. Last summer she chipped one in a biking accident. Our dentist decided the solution was to shorten the tooth to even out the chip. That also meant shortening the tooth next to it so they’d match. This was not ideal and changed the character of her smile. A few months later, the tooth began to turn dark. We brought her in over the Christmas break but the dentist insists we’re being too picky and he doesn’t see anything wrong with it. When I pushed back against that a little, he told me that he is the cosmetic specialist and knows color better than I do. I mean, sure, he’s the dentist, but I did learn how to match colors in kindergarten and this tooth looks different. There is  now a weird blue/green tint to the tooth and we’re worried the veneer is going to fall off before she can get home. Of course, I think we’ll need a new dentist to do any thing about it, which is frustrating because I feel certain he’s the one who damaged it and should repair it. Do you have any recommendations for us? Should we get her to a dentist near her school or can it wait until she is home in a few weeks?

Sandy

Dear Sandy,

Leaky porcelain veneers
The bluish color on these temporary porcelain veneers are an example of leaky veneers in their early stages.

The blue/green color to me indicates that the veneer is leaking. Does it look a bit like the ones above? That happens when the bond between the tooth and the porcelain veneers is failing.  While it will fail at some point, it is better to let it fall off than to force it.

If the porcelain veneers falls out while she is at school, I would look for an AACD accredited dentist that can get her in for an emergency appointment and bond her veneer back on safely.  While there is no such thing as a specialty in cosmetic dentistry. AACD accredited dentists have proven expertise and artistry. With you away, this is one way for you to feel confident she is in qualified hands.

I also agree that another dentist is in order for your family. The way he rudely discounted your concerns is unprofessional.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Dentists Drs. Foreman and Thimmesch.

 

Invisalign

Fixing Beaver Teeth

I have really large front teeth that tend to make me look a bit like a beaver. I am trying to think of a way to improve the look of my smile but can’t think of anything that won’t be very unpleasant. I could get braces, but I don’t want a bunch of metal in my mouth at my age. Plus, though I am no orthodontist, I am guessing that because of the size of my teeth there might not be room to move them in, which might require removing some back teeth. That is something else I am not too keen on.  Is there an option that I have not considered?

Sammie

Dear Sammie,

Invisalign aligner

I am glad you wrote. Yes, there is another option for you. First, if your dentist has some cosmetic skills, he or she could trim the sides of the teeth enough for them to be moved into a more esthetically pleasing, aligned position.  This has to be done with diamond burrs and diamond strips.

You would not have to move them with braces. Instead, you could use Invisalign. These are a type of invisible braces that use clear aligners to adjust the position of your teeth. No one will even know that you are wearing orthodontics, even at a conversational distance.

If your teeth require a great deal of trimming, enough to where the dentin is exposed, then you will need to have porcelain veneers placed in order to cover the dentin.

All of these procedures require training, so don’t pressure your dentist into any of them. If he or she is unfamiliar on how to do this don’t push them into it. You won’t like the results. Instead, find a cosmetic dentist with the training to do the trimming and, if necessary, the porcelain veneers.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Dentists Drs. Foreman and Thimmesch.

 

Invisalign

Ways to Straighten a Crooked Tooth

I have two crooked teeth and a couple of small gaps. I went to my dentist to discuss braces. I heard there are clear braces these days. My dentist is suggesting porcelain veneers because my teeth are yellow and these can straighten my teeth and make them whiter. I am a bit concerned on how expensive porcelain veneers are. Are there better options?

Enid

Dear Enid,

Invisalign aligner

Let’s start with the porcelain veneers. They can make your teeth look straight, but they will not actually straighten your teeth. These are more useful if you are looking for a complete smile makeover, but not a great use of your money if you are just wanting to straighten and whiten your teeth.

In all honesty, there is a much less expensive option for you. If you get Invisalign, which use clear aligners. These can both straighten and whiten your teeth simultaneously. The aligners can double as teeth whitening trays so all you will need is to get some professional strength gel from your dentist.

This will straighten and whiten your teeth at a fraction of the cost of porcelain veneers.

Of course, if there are other things that you would like to change about your teeth, such as their shape or size, then porcelain veneers will be a great option. Just make certain that you go to an expert cosmetic dentist to have the work done. Otherwise, you could end up with a smile that is less attractive than your natural smile.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Dentists Drs. Forman and Thimmesch.

AACD Accredited Dentist in Lafayette

Dealing with Tetracycline Stains

I am almost 45 and have severe tetracycline stains. I’d really like to improve my smile so I won’t feel embarrassed to smile. However, I’ve been to three dentists and they all want to give me a mouth full of dental crowns. My teeth are very healthy so I hate the idea of grinding them down. Are there other options for my situation or should I resign myself to crowns?

Brenda

Dear Brenda,

porcelain veneer being placed

Tetracycline stains are some of the most difficult type of cosmetic cases there are. If a dentist is suggesting a dental crown for your smile makeover and you do not have a clinical need for them, that is a hint that they are not a skilled cosmetic dentist.

One of the trickiest parts of a tetracycline case is getting the dental work opaque enough to cover the stains themselves, but still translucent enough to look natural.

Inexperienced cosmetic dentists try to get around this by using dental crowns. Unfortunately, that doesn’t really help. Given your unique situation, I would say you need an expert cosmetic dentist. They will be able to cover your tetracycline stains with porcelain veneers, which will give you the gorgeous smile you want without grinding healthy tooth structure down the way your current dentist wants to do.

While there is not a recognized specialty in cosmetic dentistry, the top 1-3% of cosmetic dentists are AACD accredited. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry recognized the dilemma both patients and dentist’s faced. Patients needed a way to find good cosmetic dentists. Dentists needed a way to get the skills needed to do excellent cosmetic work that is not offered in dental school. As a result, they created their accreditation program.

It takes YEARS to get accredited. There are superb cosmetic dentists out there who have not yet received their accreditation, but your situation is quite challenging. I am going to recommend you look for a dentist who is accredited.

While not all dentists in our office are accredited, we do have one dentist in our office who comes in just for those challenging cases.  There is probably a dental practice in your area who has a credentialed  dentist. If there is not, it will be worth it for you to travel to a nearby state if you want to be assured of a gorgeous result.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Dentist Drs. Foreman and Thimmesch.

Zoom Whitening

Will Zoom Whitening Refresh My Porcelain Veneers?

I have had my porcelain veneers for a little over seven months. Everything was fine, but recently I have noticed that they have begun taking on stains. I tried over-the-counter teeth whitening strips, but they do not seem to be helping. My dentist does zoom whitening. Would that help?

Laurie

Dear Laurie,

a porcelain veneer being held up to a tooth

The glaze on porcelain veneers are very stain resistant. In fact, they are more stain resistant than your natural teeth. If they are picking up stains then something has damaged the glazing that protects them.

You mentioned that you have had them for a bit over seven months. This is enough time for you to go in for a check up and cleaning.  It is possible that the hygienist was unaware that using a power prophy jet or acidulated fluoride could damage the glazing.

My suggestion is you ask your hygienist what he or she used during your appointment. If they damaged the veneers then they should be the ones to repair them.

Unfortunately, Zoom Whitening will not help. Teeth whitening only works on natural tooth structure, not dental work. This is also why the over the counter strips didn’t work.

The good news is that there is a way to repair the glazing. If your dentist does not know how, have him cover the expense of having an expert cosmetic dentist do that for you.

Once they are repaired, I recommend you use Supersmile Toothpaste. It is specifically designed to keep dental work in top shape. It can even remove coffee stains without any damage to your porcelain veneers.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Dentists Drs. Foreman and Thimmesch.

Invisalign

Lumineers or Orthodontics?

My nephew is graduating and I promised to get him orthodontics as a gift. His parents are struggling and I know his teeth bother him. However, his dentist told him that he could get his teeth fixed much faster with Lumineers. I looked into it and they are a LOT more expensive. Would these really be a better option for him than straightening his teeth?

Angie

Dear Angie,

Invisalign aligner

I am glad you wrote before moving forward. If the only thing his teeth need is to be straightened, than orthodontics are the way to go. To do Lumineers simply to straighten teeth would be a bit of an overtreatment, and an expensive one at that as you have noticed.

At his age, instead of traditional metal braces, I would suggest you look into Invisalign. This would allow him to straighten his teeth without anyone even knowing because it uses clear aligners.

If there are other things wrong with his teeth, like their shape or size, and you are willing to invest in a total smile makeover, than porcelain veneers would be the way to go.

That being said, I would not recommend the Lumineers brand. This particular brand is highly marketed to inexperienced cosmetic dentists as being easy to place. Additionally, their lab, which they force dentists to use, is not known to produce beautiful results.

Instead, I would look for a dentist who is accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. They are the most skilled cosmetic dentists in the country and can give your nephew a stunning smile.

I hope this helps you with your decision.
This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Dentists Drs. Foreman and Thimmesch.

Botox

I Need Another Option for My Gummy Smile

I’d heard there are treatments for gummy smiles these days. I’ve always hated mine and wanted to do something about it but the two options my dentist gave me were either scary invasive or crazy expensive. The first option he gave me was porcelain veneers, which he said would fix my gummy smile along with “all the other flaws” in my smile. Not only was that a tad insulting, but the price was astronomical. The second option he gave me was gum contouring, which he said he does with lasers. That idea gives me hives. Is there another option that is not as invasive?

Penelope

Dear Penelope,

Botox gummy smile repair

Generally, the best treatment for you will depend on the cause of your gummy smile. There are more than people realize.

Causes of Gummy Smiles

  • Big Gums. This one is obvious. You have normal-sized teeth, but longer gums.
  • A puny upper lip. Some people just have tiny upper lips, so when they smile you see more gum than you would with a longer lip.
  • Medical Gingival Hyperplasia. This is when either a medication, poor dental care, or a medical condition causes the overgrowth of your gums.
  • Hyperactive muscles. This is when your lip tightens up more than normal giving you a gummy appearance.

Comparing Some Options

While porcelain veneers are a great option for a smile makeover and can also repair a gummy smile, if you are otherwise happy with your smile then it is not a good investment for you. This is a better option for someone who was looking for a complete smile makeover. If I am reading you right, that is not what you are after. You want to fix this one issue. So, in that case, don’t invest the money in porcelain veneers.

The laser procedure is not as scary as it sounds, but is not your only other option. A very simple thing you can do, depending on the cause of your gummy smile, believe it or not is Botox. Botox has been successfully used in treating gummy smiles. This is for someone whose lip comes up too tightly when they smile. Using the Botox relaxes the upper lip thereby giving them a more natural looking smile.

There are other options as well such as, orthodontics, root planing, crown lengthening, and even orthognatic surgery. Which of these is useful to you depends on the cause. You asked for the least invasive and that would be Botox.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Dentists Drs. Foreman and Thimmesch.