Thinking About Whitening Your Veneers with Toothpaste? Three Facts You Shouldn’t Ignore Before Buying a Product

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I’m looking for a safe way to get stains off my porcelain veneers without scratching them. I’ve seen ads for Supersmile toothpaste, but I don’t want to purchase it without a recommendation. Does it get stains off veneers? How long will the whitening last? I’m wondering if it’s worth it or if I should ask my dentist to polish my veneers.  Thanks. Braelynn from Little Rock, AR

Braelynn,

Some brands of non-abrasive toothpaste, including Supersmile®, will temporarily remove stains from veneers. But the results you’ll get depend on the cause of stains on your veneers.

What Is the Source of Stains on Your Veneers?

The source of stains on your porcelain veneers determines how to treat the stains.

  • Surface stains – Protein pellicle, or a film, naturally builds up on teeth from the protein in saliva. You can minimize the stains with a non-abrasive toothpaste approved for use on porcelain veneers.
  • Stains from damaged veneers – Power polishing equipment in a dental office gives luster to natural teeth. But the equipment is abrasive on porcelain veneers and will damage the glaze and attract stains. If the glaze on your veneers is damaged, a cosmetic dentist can help, but polishing toothpaste won’t make a difference.
  • Matte veneers – If there is a matte—non-shiny—finish on your porcelain veneers, the lack of smoothness over your teeth will attract stains. A cosmetic dentist can polish your veneers and give them enough luster to resist future stains.

How Long Will Whitening Last?

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

Avoid damaging your veneers with baking soda or abrasive toothpaste

If the stains on your veneers are from a buildup of protein film, daily use of the toothpaste will lighten the stain. But the stains will gradually return as protein film accumulates on your teeth. If you choose Supersmile toothpaste, use it daily.

Rinse your mouth and brush your teeth after consuming food and drink that promote stains:

  • Coffee
  • Tea
  • Wine
  • Dark berries
  • Soda, or other acidic drinks

Keeping Your Porcelain Veneers Bright

  • Avoid smoking – Smoking also accelerates a buildup of stains on porcelain veneers and limits the effects of brushing your teeth with whitening toothpaste.
  • Avoid abrasive products – Baking soda, abrasive toothpaste, and all toothpaste not approved for use on porcelain veneers will scratch them and create more stains.
  • Schedule professional dental cleanings – Return to a cosmetic dentist and hygienist regularly for dental cleanings, exams, and veneer polishing. Ensure they are trained on how to care for veneers without damaging them.

Accredited cosmetic dentist, Steven Brooksher, DDS of Baton Rouge sponsors this post.

Can I Get a Root Canal If I Have a Porcelain Veneer?

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Hello there,

My dentist says I have a periapical abscess and I will need a root canal on one of my front teeth. However, my front teeth all have veneers over them. Will this case discoloration? Or will I need my veneers replaced?

Brent, from Alcolu, South Carolina

 

Hi Brent,

Usually, when porcelain veneers are placed, they are done on teeth that have been prepared. Most preparation cuts ridges into the surface of the tooth. However, some dentists go too deeply, or even place crowns under the guise of  veneers. Doing either of these things will cause significant stress on the surrounding teeth. The stress could be the cause behind the root canal.

Getting a root canal on a tooth will cause the tooth to turn dark, and this can lead to discoloration. If the tooth beneath the veneer is discolored, it can show through the veneer. To avoid discoloration, your dentist will need to clean your tooth properly, and may need to replace the post with white fiberglass and use natural-looking composite to fill in any gaps. An expert cosmetic dentist should be able to help you avoid dental discoloration, but if you trust your general dentist, they can help you as well.

This blog post is brought to you by Baton Rouge porcelain veneer provider, Dr. Steven Brooksher, of Dentistry by Brooksher.

 

5 Vital Facts About Porcelain Veneers and a Periapical Abscess

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Porcelain veneers can fulfill your dreams of a perfect smile. But in the hands of the wrong dentist, a periapical abscess on a veneered tooth can be a nightmare. Before you accept treatment, there are several things you need to know.

1. What Is a Periapical Abscess?

A periapical abscess is a pus-filled sac at the tip of a tooth root. It’s usually caused by a tooth infection that spreads through the tooth and into the roots. Depending on which tooth is affected, the infection can spread into your cheeks, jaw, or the floor of your mouth. The pus can drain, get in your airway, and be life-threatening.

2. If You Have Porcelain Veneers and an Abscess

Although antibiotics can treat the infection, your dentist needs to remove the diseased tooth pulp. Leaving it untreated will compromise your oral and overall health. If your porcelain veneer was correctly placed, it should remain intact.

3. What Caused the Infection?

A tooth infection has several possible causes, some of which include:

  • Decay – Untreated tooth decay can lead to an infection and root canal treatment.
  • Aggressive preparation for porcelain veneers – Aggressive preparation of your natural teeth can increase stress on a tooth, irritate the pulp, and cause an infection.
  • Trauma – Impact or trauma to your mouth or teeth can cause internal damage that results in an infection.

4. Retaining the Beauty of a Porcelain Veneer After Root Canal Treatment

Before-and-after porcelain veneers photos of a patient at Dentistry by Brooksher in Baton Rouge, LA.

Before-and-after porcelain veneers photos of Dr. Brooksher’s patient. Advanced cosmetic dentists understand how to retain the beauty of veneers.

If a dentist leaves remnants of filler material or cement from a root canal treatment in your tooth, they will show through your porcelain veneer and make it look dark. Your dentist must thoroughly remove any excess filler material that replaced your tooth pulp, as well as any cement.

Many skilled cosmetic dentists prevent the tooth from darkening by lowering a white fiberglass post into the root and filling the remaining space with a light-colored composite.

5. Ask Your Dentist What You Can Expect

Speak with your dentist about his or her process for removing the infected tooth pulp, preserving your porcelain veneer, and ensuring the veneer won’t look dark. If your dentist seems uncertain about the results you can expect, you can seek a second opinion from an advanced cosmetic dentist.

Baton Rouge, LA accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher sponsors this post. Dr. Brooksher is an award-winning cosmetic dentist, and he has many loyal patients who think he is the best dentist in town.

Porcelain Veneers or Composite for Discolored Front Teeth?

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A cosmetic dentist can use porcelain veneers or composite veneers to correct discoloration on front teeth. But which should you ask for? And what results can you expect?

Porcelain veneers

  • Material – Porcelain is more durable than tooth enamel, and it’s stain resistant. It can be manipulated to mimic natural teeth.
  • Preparation – Skilled cosmetic dentists conservatively prepare each tooth to preserve as much tooth enamel as possible while ensuring the veneers look natural on the front and sides of your teeth and at the gumline.
  • Appearance – Advanced cosmetic dentists work with master ceramists to craft veneers that perfectly match the color and characteristics of the surrounding teeth.
  • Longevity – If you take excellent care of them, your porcelain veneers might last up to 20 years.

Composite

  • Material – Glass or quartz, along with plastic resin, make dental composite. Composite is available in a variety of shades and translucencies, and cosmetic dentists blend them to provide natural-looking results.
  • Preparation – It’s more conservative than the preparation for porcelain veneers. Your cosmetic dentist will etch your discolored teeth to prepare them for composite and to ensure the bonding won’t make your teeth look too thick.
  • Appearance – A dentist who is a true artist can blend composite to match the color and translucency of your natural teeth. It will be polished to match the gloss of your teeth, too.
  • Longevity – In three to five years, the surface of bonding wears. Your dentist will need to resurface it.

Which Should You Choose?

Whenever possible, an artistic cosmetic dentist will preserve as much of your healthy tooth structure as possible. Most often, he or she will select composite veneers for a conservative, highly aesthetic result.

When multiple teeth are discolored

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 veneers might be recommended to correct multiple teeth

If multiple teeth are discolored—or if your entire smile zone needs cosmetic work—porcelain veneers might be recommended. The condition and position of your teeth can also influence which cosmetic treatment your dentist will recommend.

Some dentists might suggest cosmetic work on the teeth adjacent to the discolored ones. But that often indicates they lack the artistry needed to match the color. It’s best to get a second opinion.

Schedule a consultation with an accredited cosmetic dentist

Look for an accredited cosmetic dentist in your area and schedule a consultation. The dentist will listen to your smile goals, examine your teeth, and explain your options. You’ll be able to make an informed decision about whether porcelain or composite veneers are right for you.

This post is sponsored by Steven Brooksher, DDS, an accredited cosmetic dentist in Baton Rouge, LA.

Get Rid of Stains on Teeth?

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Hi,

I’ve always hated my smile. I’ve had brown stains on my upper teeth since childhood. My dentist suggested getting five or six porcelain veneers to brighten my smile. Should I go ahead and get the porcelain veneers, or do I have another option?

Ellis, from Virginia

 

Hi Ellis,

The brown stains you are describing sound like tetracycline stains, caused by taking a powerful antibiotic as a child. Removing the stains are very difficult, but a skilled cosmetic dentist can properly cover them. Using porcelain that is too thin can cause the stains to show through. Similarly, using porcelain that is too opaque can make your veneers look fake. Porcelain is more stain resistant than your natural enamel, so you won’t need to worry about stains in the future.

Before committing to a dentist, be sure to check if they have experience treating tetracycline stains. An expert cosmetic dentist will be able mimic your teeth’s natural translucence, while covering the surface stains. Your dentist will have to wrap the veneers around the sides of the tooth as well, in order to obtain the most natural look; otherwise, the space between the veneers will be dark and noticeable.

Also, you may need more than five or six porcelain veneers on your upper teeth. Count how many of your upper teeth are visible when you smile – that is the number of veneers you will need for your smile makeover. Doing some teeth but not all will not fix your smile insecurities. In your case, finding an experienced cosmetic dentist will be critical to your case’s success.

This blog is brought to you by Baton Rouge porcelain veneer provider, Dr. Steven Brooksher. Please note that cosmetic dentists are general dentists who have received post-graduate training in aesthetics and restorations.

 

 

 

 

Is It OK That I Got Porcelain Veneers While I was Pregnant?

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Hi,

I recently finished getting a set of porcelain veneers. I didn’t know it during treatment, but I was pregnant at the time. I’m just in my first trimester, but could this have hurt my baby? I’m freaking out that I did something wrong.

Thank you,

Juno, from Frankenstein, Missouri

 

Hi Juno,

During the first trimester, you often don’t know you are pregnant. The only possibly harmful thing you could have been exposed to is local anesthetic. However, this is one of the safest medications around, and has been used on pregnant women before with no problems for years. The most common local anesthetic is Lidocaine, and it has been proven to be safe to use during pregnancy.

The good news is, you probably don’t have anything to worry about. Dentists are taught in dental school to avoid scheduling pregnant women during the first and third trimesters. The first trimester, you are most sensitive to chemicals and foreign substances like metal, and the last trimester it’s best to avoid stress. You have not harmed your baby, but it would probably be best to avoid any further work at this time.

This blog post is brought to you by Baton Rouge porcelain veneer provider, Dr. Steven Brooksher, of Dentistry by Brooksher.

 

Feel Like Hiding Your Smile? 4 Ways Porcelain Veneers Can Help

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Regardless of how it looks, your smile gets noticed. But what if you don’t want anyone to notice your smile? Porcelain veneers can open the door to an unbelievable smile transformation that you’ll never want to hide.

What Are Porcelain Veneers?

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

After your natural teeth are lightly prepared, or shaved, thin wafers of custom-made porcelain are bonded to the fronts of them.

What Can Veneers Do for Your Smile?

Veneers will improve the appearance of your teeth. Shape, size, color, and alignment can all be enhanced.

1. Alignment and Spacing

If your teeth are misaligned or have gaps between them, porcelain veneers can correct minor issues. You can have a perfectly aligned smile without orthodontic treatment.

2. Color

Time, age, certain medications, and other factors can darken your teeth. When teeth whitening doesn’t help, porcelain veneers can give you a white smile that looks natural. You get to choose the shade. Even the most stubborn stains—like those caused by fluorosis and tetracycline—can be concealed with veneers.

3. Size

If your teeth are uneven or disproportionate, porcelain veneers can help. The thin wafers of porcelain will conceal the imperfections and correct a variety of issues, including:

  • Too small
  • Worn down
  • Peg laterals

4. Shape

The shape of your teeth determines the personality and characteristics of your overall smile. If you want your smile to convey warmth, boldness, or another message, porcelain veneers will achieve it.

What Can You Expect?

After you receive an examination, a cosmetic dentist will ask you to help design your smile. You’ll have input on the size, color, and shape of your teeth. You’ll also see a digital mockup of your smile and be able to try it on. The smile you want is the smile you will receive.

A smile design with porcelain veneers is an investment, but if done correctly it will last. Don’t look for cheap veneers. They often slip, pop off, or become discolored. The best results are achieved by a dentist with advanced training and experience in cosmetic dentistry. Don’t leave your smile design to chance.

We recommend that you schedule consultations with at least to cosmetic dentists—preferably accredited cosmetic dentists. Ask each dentist to show you photos of their own patients’ smile makeovers. After the consultations, you can compare dentists, the options offered, and the results you can expect.

This post is sponsored by Dr. Steven Brooksher of Baton Rouge. Dr. Brooksher is one of ten accredited cosmetic dentists in Louisiana.

5 Facts About Porcelain Veneers and Teeth Grinding

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Bruxism (teeth grinding) can wear down and fracture natural teeth. So if you’re thinking about getting porcelain veneers, there is reason for concern because teeth grinding can fracture veneers.

It’s understandable that you’re interested in porcelain veneers. They are the most natural-looking way to restore teeth that are chipped, discolored, or misaligned. Porcelain mimics the characteristics of natural teeth. But porcelain veneers are costly, and you need to protect your investment in them. So before you ask a dentist for them, there are a few facts to know about veneers and teeth grinding.

1. The Stats

A 2017 study published on the U.S. National Library of Medicine – National Institutes of Health website reveals the following about porcelain veneers and patients with bruxism:

  • Fractures – Fractures in porcelain veneers are more common in patients with bruxism.
  • Debonding – There is a higher incidence in the debonding (loosening or falling off) of porcelain veneers for patients who grind their teeth.
  • Splints/mouthguards – Mouthguards increase the success of porcelain veneers for patients with bruxism. If you grind your teeth but do not wear a mouthguard, your veneers will be eight times more likely to fracture.

2. What’s Causing Your Teeth Grinding?

Before you receive porcelain veneers, your cosmetic dentist will try to determine the cause of your teeth grinding. Treatment can include a custom mouthguard to wear at night or relaxation techniques to reduce stress. Some causes of bruxism include:

  • Stress or anxiety
  • Sleep apnea
  • Misalignment (malocclusion)
  • Certain medical conditions or prescription medications

3. The Exam

Before you receive porcelain veneers, an examination is required. Why?

  • Your teeth and gums will first be examined to determine if they are healthy enough for you to receive porcelain veneers.
  • Teeth that are already damaged by bruxism need to be restored.
  • Your dentist will need to determine if you need treatment for TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder.
  • Exercises might be needed to help you restore proper TMJ function and relieve pain or discomfort from the disorder.
  • A custom mouthguard will be recommended to protect your investment in porcelain veneers and prevent fractures.

4. High-Strength Materials Can Help

There are different brands and strengths of porcelain veneers. And a highly skilled cosmetic dentist can determine if high-strength porcelain is right for your case and will achieve the results you desire.

5. Alternatives

Depending on the condition of your teeth and the results you want to achieve, your dentist might recommend alternatives, such as ceramic crowns. If you select an experienced cosmetic dentist, he or she will let you know what to expect with each option.

What’s Next?

We suggest that you schedule consultations for porcelain veneers with at least two different cosmetic dentists. Look for accredited cosmetic dentists in your area, or choose dentists with advanced training and experience in cosmetic dentistry. Check each dentist’s website to learn about his or her training.

Although you grind your teeth, your cosmetic dentist will help you determine if porcelain veneers are the right solution for enhancing your smile. If an alternative treatment is needed, a cosmetic dentist will still provide great results.

Below are photos of one of Dr. Brooksher’s patients. They show how porcelain veneers can beautifully transform your smile.

  • Before porcelain veneers photo of a female patient's smile. Teeth are uneven and the center teeth have a triangle between them.
    BEFORE
  • After porcelain veneers photo of a female patient's smile. Her teeth have been whitened, lengthened, and spaces between them were removed.
    AFTER

This post is sponsored by Baton Rouge award-winning cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher.

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