How Can I Get Eroded Tooth Enamel Fixed?

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Hello,

Due to a childhood disease and the medication that I took for it, some of the tooth enamel on my front teeth eroded. Also, the color of my teeth is not uniform. I am 27 now, and the older I get, the more self-conscious I become. Some friends have encouraged me to try teeth whitening, but I am not a risk-taker. If I do something to make my teeth look worse, I will become even more socially distant than I am now because of my teeth. Are there any cosmetic treatments for eroded tooth enamel? Thank you. Emilia from Santa Clara, CA

Emilia,

Thank you for your question.

How Can You Get Eroded Tooth Enamel Fixed?

A skilled cosmetic dentist can restore your teeth from eroded tooth enamel with dental bonding, porcelain veneers, dental crowns, or a combination of treatments. Each patient’s case is different, so after a comprehensive examination and x-rays, a cosmetic dentist will explain your treatment options.

What Determines Your Treatment for Eroded Tooth Enamel?

The treatment for tooth enamel may be dental bonding, porcelain veneer, or dental crowns, depending on the condition and position of each affected tooth.

Consider the uses of each treatment:

  • Direct composite bonding – A skilled cosmetic dentist may use dental bonding to address mild enamel erosion. After removing the discoloration, the dentist will blend the composite and apply it to the affected areas.
  • Porcelain veneers – Severe enamel erosion that only affects the fronts of your teeth requires porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers are suitable only for front teeth. An expert cosmetic dentist can conservatively prepare your teeth, take impressions of them, and work with a master ceramist to make custom, natural-looking veneers.
  • Dental crowns – When enamel erosion affects the backs of your teeth, closest to your tongue, dental crowns are the best way to restore your teeth. A crown covers the entire tooth and will protect weak tooth enamel from decay.

Consult with an Accredited Cosmetic Dentist for Enamel Erosion

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

You can expect beautiful restoration after tooth enamel erosion with porcelain veneers, as shown in these pictures from Dr. Brooksher.

Regardless of the extent of enamel erosion on your teeth, we recommend scheduling a consultation with an accredited cosmetic dentist. Even mild cases requiring dental bonding need a cosmetic dentist for natural-looking results. Most general dentists lack an inventory of shades of composites and other materials needed to restore your teeth beautifully.

You can look forward to a beautiful smile and increased self-esteem after a cosmetic dentist restores your teeth.

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

Why Are My Porcelain Veneers Turning Dark in Just 3 Months?

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Four of the eight porcelain veneers I got in August are turning dark. I’ve been back to the dentist three times, and all she does is look at my teeth and say that she isn’t sure what is going on. My veneers will soon look worse than the teeth beneath them. Since my dentist hasn’t done anything to determine what’s going on, I want a second opinion. It would help if you could give me a few ideas of why the veneers are turning dark so I know whether to trust a new dentist. Thank you. Monet from Charlotte, NC

Monet,

Thank you for your question. Dr. Brooksher would need to examine your teeth and veneers to identify the problem. We will discuss three factors that can darken porcelain veneers.

What Causes Porcelain Veneers to Darken?

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

Porcelain veneers can darken from power-polishing dental equipment, excess composite, or bacteria leaking between your teeth and the veneers.

  1. Bacteria between your teeth and veneers – If a dentist bonds your veneers but leaves small gaps between the veneers and your teeth, bacteria can leak in and attract stains. Prolonged bacteria lead to tooth decay, which can further darken teeth.
  2. Excess composite during bonding – Excess composite left around the veneers can cause them to darken. A cosmetic dentist can polish away the extra composite to lighten your porcelain veneers.
  3. Dental power-polishing equipment – Power-polishing equipment in the dental office can damage the glaze on the veneers, attract stains, and darken them. Dentists and hygienists trained in caring for veneers understand which instruments to use and avoid while caring for your porcelain veneers.

Can a Dentist Polish Your Veneers?

A trained cosmetic dentist can use ultra-fine polishing strips and aluminum oxide polishing paste on porcelain veneers for these benefits:

  • Help them resist stain
  • Prevent plaque accumulation
  • Smooth the area around veneers
  • Prolong the life of your veneers

Skilled cosmetic dentists have the tools, materials, and techniques required to polish your porcelain veneers and restore or replace them. After an exam, the dentist will explain the condition of your veneers and how to correct them. Look for dentists with advanced cosmetic dentist training for a second opinion.

 

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

Will Online Veneers Hide My Teeth Stains?

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I realize custom porcelain veneers will hide my teeth stains, but the cost is almost overwhelming. If I got veneers from a dentist for the stains in my teeth, it would take years to pay for them. I am unsure if getting a porcelain veneers payment plan is worth it. What about online veneers? I do not want the cheap $25 veneers. I found a few brands online in the $700 – $1,000 range that use impressions of my mouth to make them. I would expect better quality than the cheap veneers that require warming up and force fitting over your teeth. Could the more costly online veneers at least improve my teeth even though I know they won’t look as good as porcelain veneers? – Thanks, Rob from Arlington, TX

Rob,

Thank you for contacting Dr. Brooksher’s office with your questions.

Will Online Veneers Hide Your Teeth Stains?

Online veneers may hide your teeth stains depending on discoloration. If you have realistic expectations about online veneers, you know that they do not look like real teeth. They fit over your natural teeth, so you can expect these results:

  • Online veneers will give you a bulker smile because the plastic teeth must fit over your teeth.
  • Online veneers often lack natural tooth color and translucence. They look pasty. Some companies offer a few choices for tooth shade.
  • If you plan to wear online veneers daily, they will wear quickly, and you will need to replace them frequently. Although online veneers offer payment plans, the product may last several months to a year with daily wear, depending on the quality.
  • You must remove the veneers to eat hard, sticky, chewy, or crunchy foods.

Can You Get a Porcelain Veneers Payment Plan?

Getting a porcelain veneers payment plan is worth it if you want healthy results and a natural-looking smile that will last. Most cosmetic dentists offer payment plans through financing companies, such as CareCredit®. Some dentists have in-office financing options to help you pay for treatment in monthly installments.

  • Porcelain veneers last 15 to 20 years and give you a long-lasting smile makeover.
  • Porcelain mimics natural tooth color, translucence, and gloss.
  • A dentist bonds the veneers to the fronts of your teeth, giving you the freedom to eat, brush, and floss your teeth as normal.

A skilled cosmetic dentist will identify the cause of your teeth stains and determine the best treatment options to conceal the stains.

Cosmetic Bonding for Teeth Stains

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

You can expect beautiful, long-lasting results with porcelain veneers, as shown in these pictures from Dr. Brooksher.

Depending on the type and extent of the stains, a dentist may be able to conceal them with cosmetic bonding. Bonding costs less than veneers but only lasts five years or longer if you take care of it. Cosmetic dentists stock high-quality bonding materials that mimic the color and translucence of natural teeth. Your cosmetic dentist will apply bonding by hand while you relax in a dental chair.

What Can You Expect with Online Veneers?

Companies that sell online veneers do not focus on what is best for your oral health. You must use their impression kit to make a mold of your teeth, and they make veneers based on the mold. In contrast, a cosmetic dentist will take the precautions:

  • Examine your teeth and gums
  • Determine the source of the stains in your teeth
  • Explain if you need further medical or dental care to protect your oral health for the long term

We recommend scheduling an appointment with a highly skilled cosmetic dentist to see which treatment is best for your stained teeth. The dentist will also explain options for a porcelain veneers payment plan.

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

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.

 

Why Don’t Dentists Warn Patients That Porcelain Veneers Fall Off?

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I got porcelain veneers in February this year. Two of them have fallen off, and one of the two just fell off again last week. So far, none of the others feel loose for now. I am nervous because I’m going to S. America in three weeks. I’m not sure how to find an excellent dentist to bond veneers back on, and I’m not sure it’s a good idea either. My dentist has an accusatory tone about why my veneers have fallen off. He says that it can happen if I’m rough with them. This is news to me. I wasn’t rough with my natural teeth before veneers. I floss and brush as usual.

I’m beginning to wonder what else my dentist didn’t tell me about what to expect with veneers. Is it legal for dentists to withhold vital information like this? My husband thinks my dentist must have done bad work, but this is the same dentist I’ve had for the past seven years. I know other people who have received veneers from him and aren’t having any issues. Interestingly, our dentist did not warn them about the possibility of their veneers falling off. Why wasn’t I warned? Is this common for dentists to keep to themselves? Thanks. Keilah from NH

Keilah – You didn’t receive a warning about porcelain veneers loosening and falling off because it should never happen.

Why Do Porcelain Veneers Fall Off?

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

Quality porcelain veneers do not fall off

If you have had repeated issues with veneers falling off, it is most likely because of your dentist’s improper bonding techniques. The veneer that fell off a second time wasn’t properly cleaned before it was bonded on again.

Although Dr. Brooksher would need to examine your veneers to determine what is happening, we suggest getting a second opinion before your trip. Find a skilled cosmetic dentist to examine your veneers, check them for stability, and let you know your options to ensure they are secure.

If your veneers are constructed properly, a trained cosmetic dentist can correctly bond them to prevent them from falling off in the future. If any of your veneers are loose, a skilled cosmetic dentist can remove, clean, and bond them on again.

You can decide whether you trust your current dentist to make the corrections, but given his track record, we suggest that you consult with an experienced cosmetic dentist.

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

Five Dental Tools and Materials That Damage Porcelain Veneers

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I have eight veneers on my upper front teeth. I received them last October from a dentist in Indiana. Now that I live in NM, I am concerned about my dental exam and cleaning appointment with a new dentist. Is it possible that the hygienist will break or loosen my veneers around my gumline? – Thank you. Damon from NJ

 

Damon,

Thank you for your question.

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

It is good that you are concerned about how a dental hygiene appointment will affect your porcelain veneers. A hygienist will not loosen or break your veneers. But if a hygienist uses incorrect tools, they can damage the glaze, which will make the surface of your veneers dull.

Dental Tools and Materials That Damage Porcelain Veneers

A dentist and hygienist who received advanced training in caring for porcelain veneers will avoid these tools and chemicals:

  • Power polishing equipment – Although some equipment is safe for natural teeth, it can harm porcelain veneers. For example, Dentsply’s Prophy Jet is a device that sprays a mixture of sodium bicarbonate and water on your teeth to clean them quickly. But the chemical blasts away the glaze on your porcelain veneers, and they will begin to stain. And other brands of power polishers will damage your veneers.
  • Ultrasonic scaler – The scaler can cause small chips at the margin of you veneers as it gets rid of calculus and bacteria. Plaque and stain can accumulate around your veneers and cause decay.
  • Heavy-duty manual scalers – If used on the margins of veneers, a heavy-duty scaler can scrape or chip porcelain veneers.
  • Coarse polishing pastes – Although polishing paste restores the gloss of natural teeth, it can scratch porcelain veneers. Trained hygienists use ultra-fine polishing paste instead.
  • Acidulated fluoride – Acidulated fluoride etches the surface of porcelain veneers and removes the glaze. A hygienist will use neutral fluoride gel instead.

Ensure your new dentist is an advanced cosmetic who regularly places porcelain veneers. Team members know how to take care of your teeth and veneers without damaging them.

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

My Dental Bonding Is Too Thick

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After I chipped my right center tooth and the one behind it last September, my dentist applied bonding on them. But the bonding did not match my teeth. She did the bonding twice, and with her previous attempt, the bonding is tooth thick. I can see and feel the difference. Although my dentist tried to correct it by shaving it down, the tooth still looks thick but distorted in shape. My dentist suggested that we try porcelain veneers to cover the whole tooth, and a lab can contour them. I don’t want my dentist to do any more work on my teeth. Is it too late to start over with another dentist, or will removing the bonding damage my teeth and require veneers? Thank you. Cassie from OK

Cassie,

Thank you for your question. Your thoughts about not letting your dentist do any more work on your teeth are valid. Your dentist’s lack of training and experience with cosmetic work prevents her from giving you natural-looking results.

Natural-Looking Dental Bonding

Natural-looking dental bonding requires advanced training and an artistic eye for a dentist to select mixed colors, textures, and translucence to match your teeth. Then a dentist must apply bonding by hand and sculpt it on your teeth to achieve your natural tooth shape. Few dentists can manage to bond well enough to make it look so realistic that you cannot tell your tooth was ever damaged. More dentists can do a good job but not as well as a trained cosmetic dentist. It seems that your dentist has no cosmetic training at all.

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

If you want dental bonding instead of veneers, see an advanced cosmetic dentist

We recommend that you search for an advanced, preferably accredited, cosmetic dentist to examine your teeth. A skilled dentist understands how to remove bonding without damaging your teeth and reapply it to match your tooth color and shape. It will not look too thick. And it can prevent the need for porcelain veneers.

If your current dental bonding looks inferior, your dentist should agree and be willing to compensate you instead of offering porcelain veneers. You may request a refund from your dentist and hope she is reasonable.

Best wishes on a smooth resolution.

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

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.

Will My Gray Tooth Lighten After a Root Canal?

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If my front tooth is turning gray and dying, will it get whiter after root canal treatment? I fell a month ago and hit my mouth. I was hoping that the tooth would feel better, but it did not. I went to the dentist, and he tested the tooth and did an x-ray. He says that he can save it with a root canal. But he said that he could not promise me that the tooth will lighten up. Then, he mentioned that he could use a porcelain veneer on the tooth if it does not improve. Should I see another dentist about this? – Thank you. Linda W. from GA

 

Linda,

Thank you for your question.

Will Root Canal Treatment Lighten Your Tooth?

If your dentist performs traditional root canal treatment on your tooth, it will not get lighter. Usually, after root canal treatment, a tooth turns darker. Root canal filler material and dental cement left after the process will darken the crown of the tooth.

A dentist can improve tooth color with these steps:

Consider an Endodontist for Root Canal Treatment

If your dentist has limited experience with root canal treatment, consider asking your dentist to refer you to an endodontist (root canal treatment) who uses the GentleWave® system.

  • GentleWave uses sodium hypochlorite to dissolve the infected tooth pulp (tissue and nerves), which may lighten the tooth somewhat.
  • The procedure only lasts about ten minutes, which is not enough time to lighten your tooth as much as you want
  • Bleaching the tooth afterward can achieve good results

 

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

A porcelain veneer can conceal a gray tooth

Your dentist can insert a flexible fiberglass post into the root for a front tooth and fill the space with composite. The post will help stabilize the front tooth and avoid needing a dental crown—which can weaken a front tooth and increase the risk of fracture.

Most family dentists find color correction a challenge after root canal treatment on front teeth. So, unless your dentist has advanced cosmetic dentistry training, we recommend getting a second opinion from a cosmetic dentist.

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

Is my electric toothbrush damaging my porcelain veneers?

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Two of my porcelain veneers loosed three times within the past five months. My dentist rebounded them. But during my last visit, my dentist asked me what kind of toothbrush I use. I use an ultrasonic toothbrush and Supersmile toothpaste. My dentist blames my toothbrush on the loose veneers, but I know better. And if a toothbrush could cause loose veneers, I asked my dentist why he didn’t tell me that before I got veneers. Please tell me that I am right, and my toothbrush is not causing loose veneers. Thank you. Max from TX

Max,

Although ultrasonic cleaning devices in a dental office can damage dental bonding or veneers, an ultrasonic or sonic toothbrush will not harm them. Let us explain the difference.

Is Your Toothbrush Damaging Your Porcelain Veneers?

Your toothbrush is not damaging your porcelain veneers. And there is a difference between ultrasonic dental tools and your toothbrush.

Ultrasonic dental tools

Ultrasonic dental tools have metal tips that can damage bonding or veneers. The devices can crack the glaze on porcelain veneers. And professional ultrasonic speeds are much higher than your toothbrush.

Ultrasonic toothbrush

An ultrasonic toothbrush has soft bristles that will neither nick bonding or veneers. Instead, they polish your veneers and clean them. And toothbrushes are usually sonic—not ultrasonic—which means their vibration speed is slower and more gentle than dental equipment.

What Is Causing Loose 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 veneers do not loosen if a dentist bonds them properly

Loose porcelain veneers result from failure of your dentist’s bonding technique, aggressive preparation of your natural teeth, or both.

  • Aggressive tooth preparation – Often, a dentist who lacks advanced cosmetic dentistry training removes too much tooth enamel when preparing teeth for porcelain veneers. As a dentist removes more enamel, it becomes difficult for the bonding to adhere to your teeth. And if a dentist grinds your teeth down to the dentin (the layer beneath the enamel), it increases the risk of veneers falling off.
  • Bonding technique – Dentists who take advanced cosmetic dentistry training after dental school learn techniques to bond porcelain veneers securely to your teeth. And they know the importance of removing excess bonding material to avoid irritation and inflammation.

Get a Cosmetic Dentist’s Opinion

Although your dentist is blaming your toothbrush for loose porcelain veneers, that is not the problem. We recommend that you schedule a consultation with a skilled cosmetic dentist to examine your teeth and veneers to identify the issue. A cosmetic dentist will explain the treatment options to keep your veneers intact.

 

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