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.