Archives for June 2023

Why Do My New Porcelain Veneers Look Old?

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A cosmetic dentist completed my smile makeover with veneers in mid-August. I drove 75 miles for each appointment because of this dentist’s reputation. It’s almost December, and my veneers do not look as white and glossy. I am almost heartbroken. I plan to return to the dentist in January, but I dread several appointments with her to improve or replace my veneers. Why is this happening, and what can I expect for repairs?  – Liyah

Liyah,

Thank you for your question. Dr. Lim would need to examine your smile makeover to determine why it is losing its luster, but we will explain what can happen to veneers.

What Can Cause New Porcelain Veneers to Look Old?

New porcelain veneers might look old due to glaze damage or the materials used to make your veneers.

Damage to the glaze

Abrasive chemicals or power polishing equipment can damage and dull the glaze on porcelain veneers. If your veneers lost luster within a few months, perhaps a dental professional used the wrong tools or materials.

  • Acidulated fluoride – Although acidulated fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and prevents decay, it will scratch the porcelain. The scratches will easily attract stains and darken your veneers.
  • Power polishing equipment – While cleaning your teeth, a hygienist must know how to care for your veneers, including which tools and materials to use and what to avoid. When mistakenly using power polishing equipment (e.g., Prophy Jet) on your veneers, the result is a matte finish.

Composition of Your Veneers

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

A cosmetic dentist provide quality porcelain veneers, as shown in these pictures from Dr. Brooksher.

Veneers can be porcelain or composite. Porcelain veneers are stain-resistant and stronger than tooth enamel, but composite veneers are softer. If you have compositive veneers, abrasive toothpaste, alcohol-based mouthwash, or pumice polish can decrease the gloss or luster of composite veneers.

Can a Dentist Restore Your Porcelain Veneers?

Yes, an advanced cosmetic dentist can restore your smile makeover by polishing your veneers with these steps:

  • Use diamond polishing instruments and polishing paste
  • Add further gloss using ultrafine diamond polishing paste

 

Dr. Steven Brooksher, a Baton Rouge accredited cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post. Request a consultation with Dr. Brooksher today.

My Dentist Buffed the Gloss Off My Porcelain Veneers

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My cosmetic dentist said he could remove scratches on two of my porcelain veneers after I finished Invisalign with my orthodontist. Now both veneers look matte because the glossiness is gone. My dentist said he used cups and some polishing tools. Are my veneers going to stain now? Is there a way to reverse the damage? Thank you. Bethany from Erie, PA

Bethany,

Thank you for your question.

Congratulations on completing Invisalign treatment. We understand your disappointment in wanting to complete your smile makeover by ensuring your veneers look great. Although a dentist may claim to be a cosmetic dentist, practicing cosmetic dentistry well takes post-graduate training and artistic inclination. A trained cosmetic dentist understands how to polish veneers after specific training on how to do it.

Will Veneers with a Matte Finish Stain?

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

Porcelain veneer

A matte finish makes porcelain more susceptible to stain. It takes experience to polish a porcelain veneer and achieve a luster almost as good as the original glaze. Although polishing veneers requires less skill than creating a smile design, a dentist must know the process and stock specialized tools and materials in the office.

Polishing porcelain requires a cosmetic dentist to use these items:

  • Diamond polishing instruments
  • Polishing paste
  • Ultra-fine diamond polishing paste for finishing

If you trust your dentist’s skill, you can tell him you want more shine on your veneers. Some cosmetic dentists use Brasseler’s Dialite porcelain polishing system to remove the matte finish and restore the gloss. Depending on the extent of the issue, the system may work for your veneers.

Alternatively, you can look for a cosmetic dentist with advanced training and get a second opinion. The dentist will examine your veneers and explain your options for restoring them to a natural-looking gloss that complements your natural teeth.

 

Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher sponsors this post. Read about his education and training, and learn what he does to provide some of the best dental care in Baton Rouge.

Should I Switch Dentists to Save a Furcation Involvement Tooth?

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Should I get a second opinion or switch dentists if my current dentist cannot save a furcation involvement tooth? After rescheduling my dental exam and cleaning for over two years, the office recommended coming in to prevent me from being considered a new patient after three years. I spoke to the dentist one evening, and she assured me that my anxiety would be better with sedation. That encouraged me to schedule an appointment, so my dentist prescribed triazolam, which helped so much. I was surprised that I was so relaxed, and so was my wife. I suspected that I had gum disease because of my puffy gums that ooze pus and bleed. I didn’t know it was so bad, though. My dentist said I have furcation involvement, which I’ve never heard of. She showed me an x-ray that showed the furcation affects a root canal tooth. So now I am afraid that I will lose the tooth. I don’t know what treatment the dentist will recommend, but I wonder what to do if she can’t save it. I dread talking to another dentist about my anxiety and seeing if their sedation options will work for me. I regret waiting so long to see my dentist. Should I plan for a second opinion now? – Thanks. Esteban from Saginaw, MI

Esteban,

We are most concerned about your inflamed and bleeding gums. Gum disease causes bleeding and inflammation in its early stages. If your gums ooze pus, the infection is advancing.

Only deep dental cleanings from a hygienist can clean the deep bacteria-filled pockets between your teeth and gums. Sometimes, a periodontist will make an opening in the gum tissue to access and remove bacteria. You will also need a diligent oral hygiene routine at home to help control gum disease. You didn’t mention whether your dentist is treating your gum disease or referring you to a specialist, but you can experience tooth loss from untreated gum disease.

What Is Furcation Involvement?

A furcation is a place where tooth roots separate because of gum disease. Only premolar and molar teeth have more than one root, so furcation only affects molar teeth. Furcation involvement is bone loss beneath the furcation, or where a tooth’s roots have separated. Bone loss or gum recession can make the furcation visible above the gumline, as shown in the picture to the right.

What Are the Effects of Furcation and Furcation Involvement?

Some effects of furcation and furcation involvement include the following:

Tooth furcation with an interdental brush in the furcation for cleaning

Tooth furcation with an interdental brush in the furcation for cleaning

  • Ten to twenty percent bone loss. Most of the bone around the tooth is still intact, enough to prevent tooth loss.
  • Plaque buildup. The furcation leaves space for plaque buildup, making it more challenging to keep the area clean.
  • Treatment intervention. A periodontist or dentist with advanced gum disease training will develop a treatment plan for cleaning a restoring your gum tissue. A dental hygienist will maintain the area during regular appointments. The hygienist will show you how to use an interdental brush to keep the place clean at home.

Is Your Root Canal Tooth at Risk?

Your description sounds like the root canal treatment on your tooth is still effective. Although root canal failure can occur, it is usually evident within the first two months after the procedure. After the tooth heals, it is no longer at risk.

Gum disease treatment is the priority for you. The risk of losing a tooth is low if you seek prompt treatment. Otherwise, gum disease can destroy teeth and the supporting bone. You are welcome to get a second opinion from another dentist. However, if your dentist does not have advanced training in gum disease treatment, schedule an appointment with a periodontist (gum, teeth, and bone specialist) immediately. When you schedule the appointment, you can ask to speak with the periodontist about your anxiety and options for sedation to keep you relaxed during treatment.

 

Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher sponsors this post. Read about his education and training, and learn what he does to provide some of the best dental care in Baton Rouge.