Archives for November 2021

Which brands of whitening strips work best on porcelain veneers?

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I have 8 veneers that I got in 2004. I smoke socially, so my veneers look a little yellow. When I first noticed the stains, I put whitening strips on them. I didn’t see much of a change, but my veneers are starting to really look yellow. I don’t want to keep buying different brands of white strips that don’t work, so I wonder if you can tell me which brands work best on porcelain veneers. – Jet from NJ

Jet – Regardless of the brand, whitening strips won’t remove stains from porcelain veneers. Even professional-strength bleaching gel from a dentist won’t whiten veneers. After a lab makes your veneers, the color cannot be changed. They are colorfast.

Photo of the tip of dental forceps holding a single porcelain veneer; from the Baton Rouge office of accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher.

Ask an accredited cosmetic dentist to polish your veneers

Although porcelain veneers are virtually stain resistant, some things can make them more susceptible to attracting stains. You should use only non-abrasive toothpaste on them. Grainy toothpaste or baking soda can scratch the glaze and cause the veneers to stain easily.

Schedule an appointment with an experienced cosmetic dentist to examine your veneers. An artistic cosmetic dentist knows how to polish your veneers to remove stains and add luster expertly. Depending on how long you’ve had your veneers, the age and condition can affect how well they polish.

The cosmetic dentist you choose can let you know the results to expect after your veneers are polished. If they are fifteen to twenty years old and a bit worn, it may be time to replace them. If it is time to replace your veneers, be sure to find a cosmetic dentist willing to design a natural-looking smile. Your new veneers should last for many years, so ensure they are precisely the smile you want.

Steven Brooksher, DDS of Baton Rouge, LA, sponsors this post. Dr. Brooksher is an accredited cosmetic dentist.

Is Bleeding Between Your Dental Crowns from an Allergic Reaction?

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I had a smile makeover that included eight new crowns. Although I received the crowns in 2017, now my central incisor and the one to its right are irritated. And there is some bleeding between the teeth. I am concerned that the crowns contain some metal irritating my gums, so I asked for a copy of the alloy certificate for the crowns. I didn’t get that, but I have some documentation that I do not understand. It says that GC LiSi Impress is the crown type. How can I tell what these crowns are made of? Could I be allergic to them? Thank you. Catalina from Arkansas

 

Catalina,

Based on your description, your crowns are GC LiSi Press. The material is high-density lithium disilicate. The crowns are metal free, so your dentist could not give you a metal alloy certificate for them. We are not aware of reports of allergic reactions to the crowns.

Is an Allergic Reaction Causing Bleeding Between Your Crowns?

If you were allergic to your crowns, you would have inflammation between all of them. Your description sounds like a functional problem with your crowns. Some issues that might cause bleeding between your crowns include:

  • Food particles lodged between the crowns
  • Crown margins overhang the tooth edge
  • Crown shape that traps food

As you floss between the crowns, pay attention to whether a ledge beneath your gum catches the floss. If it does, your dentist must correct the crown margin. When a crown margin extends beyond the tooth, it can result in inflammation and gum disease. And bleeding between teeth is an early sign of gum disease.

If your dentist cannot identify and resolve the issue, we recommend scheduling an appointment with an advanced or accredited cosmetic dentist for a second opinion. Be prepared to receive an examination and possibly an x-ray to identify the issue and restore the health of your smile makeover.

 

Before-and-after smile makeover from Dr. Steven Brooker of Baton Rouge

A healthy smile makeover from Dr. Brooksher

Steven Brooksher, DDS, is a cosmetic dentist in Baton Rouge, LA. Read about his credentials and visit his smile gallery. It will help you determine what to look for in a cosmetic dentist in your area.

Do I Need a Crown for My Dark Front Tooth?

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Man covering his mouth portraying someone with a discolored front tooth after Invisalign and tooth replantingI wore Invisalign for 16 months and enjoyed a year of having what I felt was the perfect smile for me. My teeth are not even, my teeth are straight, so Invisalign made me feel better about myself. Then in August of this year, I had an accent that knocked my tooth out. My dentist put the tooth back in place and did a root canal on it.

After saving the tooth, my dentist recommended a crown during my last visit because the tooth was discoloring. I don’t want my tooth ground down for a crown. Is there another way to correct the discoloration? Jalin from Charleston, SC

 

Jalin,

We understand your disappointment after successful Invisalign treatment to feel better about your smile to have an accident that detracts from it. Yes, there is a better way to correct the discoloration. Also, sometimes after a dentist replants a tooth, your body may begin to resorb the root. So we recommend asking a dentist to x-ray your tooth to ensure the root is intact.

How Does a Dental Crown Affect a Front Tooth?

A dental crown will weaken a front tooth against lateral stresses. It will increase the risk of breaking the tooth if you have a heavy bite.

Can You Lighten a Tooth After Root Canal Treatment?

A dentist with advanced cosmetic dentistry training can lighten a tooth after root canal treatment. Also, the dentist can minimize discoloration with these steps:

  • Complete root canal treatment
  • Clean out root canal filling material or cement from inside the crown
  • Internally bleach the tooth
  • Insert a fiberglass post in the tooth and secure it with bonding

After several years, the tooth may darken. But a skilled cosmetic dentist can provide you with a porcelain veneer that hides the discoloration and matches the adjacent teeth.

It seems that your dentist did an excellent job with saving your tooth. If the tooth gradually discolors over the years, you can trust the dentist’s recommendation for a porcelain veneer. But it will take the skill of an advanced cosmetic dentist to manage the discoloration with conservative treatment.

 

Dr. Steven Brooksher, an accredited cosmetic dentist in Baton Rouge, LA, sponsors this post.