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.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

Can a Hockey Player Get Dental Implants?

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Hi there,

I’m a college hockey player and my front tooth got knocked out. My dentist recommended a dental implant, and started the process. However, my teammates said it was a bad idea while I’m still playing hockey. What if I get hit in the face again? Should I get something temporary, like a bridge? I want an implant for cosmetic reasons.

Peter, from Brooklyn, New York.

 

Hi Peter,

Your teammate’s concern is valid. If you had an implant that got knocked out, it would knock out the bone and the hardware. Repairing it would require a bone graft and extensive surgery. Hockey players are prone to dental injuries, so waiting until you’re done playing before getting anything permanent done would be a good idea.

A bridge is not a temporary fix, and would involve multiple adjacent teeth to place properly. Instead of just one tooth being at risk, there would be a higher risk of more teeth being injured. In the meantime, a root fixture or plug can be placed.

The best temporary fix would be a removable partial flipper. if done by an expert cosmetic dentist and ceramist, it will be indistinguishable from the rest of your natural teeth.

This blog post is brought to you by Baton Rouge Dental implant provider, Dr. Steven Brooksher.

 

 

 

How Can I Get My Medical Insurance to Cover My Implants?

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Hi there,

I would like to get implants to replace my upper teeth. I have advanced perio disease but go in every six months for scaling and root planing. I think dental implants will help me more than something removable — I tried one of those and it made me gag. However, I don’t have dental insurance, only medical. If it’s considered a medical condition that affects my daily life, could my implant be covered? How much would an implant be without insurance?

Thank you,

Bruno, from Des Moines, Iowa

 

Hi there Bruno,

Unfortunately, medical insurance will not cover this. While your teeth do affect your general health, medical insurance has a clause preventing it from covering dental issues. Otherwise, everything would be covered. If you are injured in an accident — such as a broken tooth from falling down the stairs — then your medical insurance will cover the repair.

If a removable device made you gag, then going with an implant is a good idea. Removable devices, such as partial dentures, cover the roof of your mouth, and can cause problems. Dental implants have no extra pieces, so they feel more natural.

For estimates on how much implants cost without insurance, you will need to contact local affordable cosmetic dentists. Calling a few offices for quotes will give you a better idea of cost.

This blog post is brought to you by Baton Rouge dental implant provider, Dr. Steven Brooksher.

Is $100,000 for a Smile Makeover Normal?

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Hello there,

I am trying to find a new cosmetic dentist after a bad experience. I went to see a highly-reviewed cosmetic dentist in my area for a second opinion. He said I needed a full-mouth restoration to fix my bite, which would run me between $50,000-100,000. I thought I just needed a few crowns on my upper teeth. I would rather get a new car for that price! I’m not sure exactly what he planned to do, but my gums and teeth are in good health, so I didn’t think I needed all this work. I can’t afford this smile makeover.

-Charlie from Washington, D.C.

 

Hello Charlie,

The prices you were quoted is on the high end, even for a smile makeover by an expert cosmetic dentist. You should go see another recommended cosmetic dentist in your area to compare prices.

Even if your bite is off, you may not need a full-mouth restoration to fix it. Your dentist may be suggesting an ideal course of treatment, but you need a more practical approach. You can work out costs with an affordable dentist.

Fees are not indicative of quality for a cosmetic dentist. Look at reviews and awards for dentists in your area. You should be able to find a quality dentist willing to personalize a smile makeover treatment plan for you.

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

 

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.