accredited cosmetic dentist veneers Archives

Which Types of Porcelain Veneers Look the Best?

Posted on July 19, 2024 by AllSmiles.

I’ve had porcelain veneers since 2007, and want to replace them to get a brighter and more natural-looking smile. I had three consultations with dentists, and one recommend zirconia or Emax crowns. The other two dentists recommended feldspathic veneers. Do you mind ranking the materials from highest to lowest for what I want to accomplish? Thanks. Nagi

Nagi,

Your question is like asking which materials can create a masterpiece painting without considering the talent of the artist. Rather than being primarily concerned about whether a dentist uses e.max, feldspathic, or zirconia porcelain veneers, consider whether the dentist is a talented artist who creates beautiful smiles.

We recommend checking dentists’ post-graduate cosmetic dentistry training, cosmetic dentistry accreditation, the smile galleries of patients’ cases on their websites, and their porcelain veneers experience.

Check the credentials of the dentists with whom you had consultations. If they are not accredited cosmetic dentists or do not have extensive cosmetic dentistry training, find dentists with the training and experience to personalize a beautiful smile for you. Schedule consultations with at least two advanced cosmetic dentists to discuss your smile goals and options for achieving them.

What Materials Produce Beautiful Porcelain Veneers?

Skilled cosmetic dentist often use feldspathic porcelain or e.max to achieve beautiful results. Zirconia is manufactured in blocks of porcelain that must be ground into porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns. Although a dental ceramist can bake stain on zirconia’s surface, the results are less aesthetic than baking tint variations onto porcelain. Also, a block of zirconia cannot product subtle variations in shade and translucence in porcelain veneers to mimic natural teeth, but e.max and feldspathic porcelain can.

Check the credentials and training of the dentist with whom you already had consultations. If they lack accreditation or post-graduate training, look for a dentists who do, and schedule consultations.

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

Before and after porcelain veneers pictures from Baton Rouge accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Brooker

Before and after porcelain veneers photos from Dr. Duane Delaune.

Why Are My Porcelain Veneers Turning Black at the Top Then Yellow?

Posted on January 31, 2024 by AllSmiles.

I got porcelain veneers eight years ago. I was never thrilled with them, but they are beginning to discolor so badly that it’s embarrassing that 5 of my eight veneers are turning black at the top and then yellow beneath the black. I expected to keep the veneers for 15 years because my dentist assured me that I had the highest quality materials. I am so anxious because I realize this may mean I need new veneers. I’m getting married in September 2024, and new veneers are not in my budget. I have relocated twice since I got the veneers and must find a new dentist. Although my current dentist takes good care of them, I hesitate to ask him for new veneers. Why do I have two-toned veneers? Thank you. Khloé

Khloé,

Quality porcelain veneers can last 15 years or longer if you care for them well.

Why Are Your Veneers Turning Black and Yellow?

If your veneers are changing colors, the cause may be damage to the veneers or their composition.

Dental Veneers That Turn Yellow

Veneers Composition. Veneers can be porcelain or dental composite. Dental composite is a mixture of plastic resin with quartz or glass. Dental composite discolors from everyday activities, including eating, drinking, or smoking over time. However, undamaged porcelain veneers are stain resistant.
Damaged Veneers. Porcelain veneers resist stains unless something damages them. Dental office power polishing equipment can etch away the glaze, causing the veneers to turn yellow.

Dental Veneers that Turn Black Near the Gumline

Porcelain veneer

Dental veneers may turn black at the gumline if something is leaking behind the veneers. Weakness, where the veneer and tooth meet, can allow fluid to leak and contaminate the bond. The veneer will gradually darken near the gumline. Bonding dental veneers to teeth requires advanced knowledge of bonding techniques.

What Are Your Options for Discoloring Veneers?

Replacing your porcelain or composite veneers is the only option to protect your teeth and oral health. Regardless of the cause of the discoloration of your veneers, leaving it untreated promotes tooth decay. You may need tooth fillings or root canal treatment for untreated decay.

We recommend consulting an advanced cosmetic dentist for an exam and X-rays to identify the source of leakage behind your veneers and explain how to protect your oral health.

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

How Can I Avoid Veneers Teeth Preparation?

Posted on September 21, 2023 by AllSmiles.

How can I avoid veneers teeth preparation? I don’t want my teeth shaved down. I’ve been checking out dentists’ patients along their veneers journey on IG, and their teeth look scary after prep. I’m so afraid of that experience. Are there other options for teeth covers? Thanks. Finn from Jersey City

Finn,

Consult an advanced cosmetic dentist to avoid aggressive teeth preparation for veneers.

Pictures on Instagram of aggressive teeth preparation for porcelain veneers can be alarming. A 2019 article in the International Journal of Esthetic Dentisty confirms that excessive teeth preparation for veneers exposes the dentin (the layer beneath the enamel), weakening the bond between the porcelain veneers and your teeth. Skilled cosmetic dentists only remove 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm of tooth enamel, leaving 85 to 95 percent of your enamel intact. Removing that small amount is not equivalent to shaving down your teeth.

Can You Avoid Veneers Teeth Preparation?

Not every porcelain veneers case requires teeth preparation, but a cosmetic dentist may recommend minimal preparation for natural-looking results and gum health. Even the thinnest veneers add a little thickness to your teeth, so a skilled cosmetic dentist will determine whether your teeth require preparation. Remember—skilled cosmetic dentists only remove. 0.3mm to 0.5mm of tooth enamel. Your teeth will not resemble the aggressively shaved teeth you may have seen online.

Several factors determine whether you are eligible for no-prep veneers or require minimal preparation.

Tooth position – If teeth are crooked, misaligned, or sticking out, a dentist must prepare them. Otherwise, placing veneers over your teeth without preparation can make your teeth look thick or bulky.
Improvements you want – Achieving your smile goals may affect multiple teeth. Your cosmetic dentist will ensure your teeth don’t overlap and that your teeth harmonize with your lips and bite. Achieving balance may require teeth preparation.

Are You Eligible for No-Prep Veneers?

Some porcelain veneers cases are suitable for no-prep veneers. If your teeth are even, properly aligned, and small, but you want to enlarge them, a skilled cosmetic dentist may include no-prep veneers as one of your treatment options. However, most porcelain veneers cases require tooth preparation because they are correcting imperfections in teeth.

Request a Porcelain Veneers Consultation

We recommend consulting with a dentist with post-graduate cosmetic dentistry training. Look for an advanced or accredited cosmetic dentist to discuss your treatment options for porcelain veneers, the most effective, healthy, and natural-looking teeth covers. Some patients prefer two consultations with different dentists to compare their options. A cosmetic dentist will determine whether your teeth need minimal preparation to achieve natural-looking results with porcelain veneers.

Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher sponsors this post. Learn more about the porcelain veneers process.