Archives for July 2022

Is It Painful to Get Teeth Shaved for Veneers?

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I am considering veneers for my eight front top teeth. The teeth are uneven, and their shape is weird. Two teeth slightly overlap the one in front of it. Will it be painful to get my teeth shaved for veneers or while the dentist attaches them?

Thank you. Micha from Warren, Ohio

Micha,

Thank you for your question. Getting porcelain veneers is one of the most comfortable procedures for a patient. We will explain what preparing your teeth for veneers involves.

Is It Painful to Get Your Teeth Shaved for Veneers?

Preparing your teeth for veneers is not painful. Sometimes, a dentist can prepare your teeth without any local anesthetic. However, if you have sensitive teeth or dental anxiety, your dentist will numb your teeth and ensure you do not feel discomfort throughout the procedure. In most cases, your teeth will require preparation to ensure your veneers fit snugly and smoothly over the fronts of your teeth. A skilled cosmetic dentist will only remove 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm of tooth enamel.

How Does a Dentist Prepare Your Teeth for Veneers?

Cosmetic dentists use a diamond bur tool to remove a tiny amount of tooth enamel from each tooth that will get a porcelain veneer. A skilled dentist will select diamond bur sizes depending on the condition and position of each tooth, removing minimal amounts of tooth enamel. The dentist will avoid aggressive preparation that affects the dentin beneath your enamel. Tooth preparation should not be painful.

Will You Have Pain During Porcelain Veneers Placement?

Advanced cosmetic dentists place porcelain veneers with care. They use special equipment and materials to place veneers quickly and smoothly. Your cosmetic dentist will understand the importance of removing excess bonding while soft to prevent uncomfortable removal if the bonding hardens.

Schedule a Porcelain Veneers Consultation

Before and after porcelain veneers photos from Baton Rouge cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher

Dr. Brooksher achieves beautiful results with porcelain veneers

We recommend scheduling a consultation with an advanced, preferably accredited, cosmetic dentist to discuss your concerns and the results you can expect with porcelain veneers. Let the dentist know if you suffer from dental anxiety, and they will explain your options for sedation.

 

Dr. Steven Brooksher, a Baton Rouge accredited cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post.

 

Does Leaving Toothpaste on Teeth Help Whiten Them?

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Whitening toothpaste from a tube for info on whitening for a quick smile makeoverI bought a sonic toothbrush and whitening toothpaste. I’ve used both for three months, but I don’t see any difference. The toothpaste instructions say to leave the paste on my teeth for at least a minute, but I leave it on for five minutes, and it still doesn’t help. I was trying to get an easy smile makeover, but this isn’t doing it. Will leaving the toothpaste on any longer help? Thank you. Brandon from Idaho Falls

 

Brandon,

Thank you for your question.

Does Leaving Toothpaste on Your Teeth Help Whiten Them?

Whitening toothpaste may remove surface stains but leaving the paste on longer will not get your teeth whiter. Some whitening toothpaste is abrasive and scratches tooth enamel. Professional teeth bleaching gel contains carbamide peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, or both. Carbamide and hydrogen peroxide penetrate tooth enamel to break down embedded stains that whitening toothpaste will not budge.

Whiten Your Teeth with Caution

Even if you whiten your teeth with bleaching gel, ensure you know the cause of the discoloration. Teeth stains from coffee, tea, or smoking will break down readily; however, stains from medications or certain medical conditions will look worse if you bleach your teeth.

Getting Safe, Predictable Teeth Whitening

Safe, predictable teeth whitening is dentist-supervised. The American Dental Association recommends talking to your dentist before whitening your teeth to assess the risks accurately. A dentist will examine your teeth before recommending whitening. The findings may reveal that dental bonding or porcelain veneers are safer and healthier for your teeth than bleaching them.

A dentist will take these steps:

  • Determine the cause of staining
  • Make custom bleaching trays that fit your teeth precisely
  • Anticipate whether your gums or teeth might be sensitive to the bleaching gel
  • Recommend an appropriate strength of gel based on the condition of your teeth, sensitivity, and your whitening goals

Although whitening toothpaste and do-it-yourself kits are less expensive than treatment from a dentist, you can get dramatic results with professional whitening. Ask your dentist about teeth whitening and how to make treatment affordable. Professional whitening can give you a quick smile makeover or be the first stage of completely transforming your smile. Request a consultation with a cosmetic dentist.

 

Baton Rouge cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher sponsors this post.

Six Upper Teeth Left After Gum Disease. What Are My Options?

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I had a two-year battle with gum disease that left me with six upper teeth remaining. The teeth are unevenly spaced from tooth loss and disease. My dentist recommends dental implants, but implants are expensive, and they do not resolve the spacing issue. I am not against implants, but the thought of going into debt for them makes me anxious. Maybe I need to take more time to find affordable implants and dentures. I already wear an uncomfortable dental flipper and understand I can get a partial denture or another flipper. I have a lot of teeth to replace, but at 62 years old, with longevity in my family, I must do something about my missing teeth. My thoughts are scattered. What are your suggestions? Are dental implants my only option? – Antoinette from Austin, TX

Antoinette

Thank you for contacting Dr. Brooksher’s office. Dr. Brooksher would need to examine your teeth and gums and take a 3-D T scan to determine your treatment options. Still, we can advise you on how to find a dentist to manage your case and give you a healthy, attractive smile.

Are Dental Implants Your Only Option?

It is unlikely that dental implants are your only option. Still, your treatment options depend on several factors, including:

  • Your oral health
  • The condition of your remaining teeth
  • Your jawbone volume and quality
  • The sizes of your remaining teeth
  • The extent of spacing between your teeth

Schedule a Consultation with a Cosmetic and Implant Dentist

We recommend searching for a dentist concerned about the function and appearance of your teeth and smile. You will benefit from a highly sympathetic dentist with advanced training in these areas:

  • Cosmetic dentistry
  • Dental implants
  • Occlusion and bite
Diagram of snap-on dentures. Dental implants are in the lower jawbone, and a denture with attachments in the base is hovering above the gumline.

A snap-on denture is an affordable option for dental implants

Although saving natural teeth is a dentist’s priority, affordable implant dentures can restore your smile if your remaining teeth do not support your long-term oral health. The dentist will explain options for natural-looking teeth replacement that complement your facial features and personality. An implant bridge may be an option for you.

Dr. Steven Brooksher, a Baton Rouge accredited cosmetic dentist and Fellow of implantology, sponsors this post.