Archives for June 2020

Why Don’t My Porcelain Veneers Match?

Posted on June 27, 2020 by AllSmiles.

Hello there,

My two front teeth have had porcelain crowns on them for years, after I lost my two front teeth in an accident. Recently, they have turned grey and needed root canals. I’ve wanted porcelain veneers for awhile now to replace the discolored teeth. I went to a cosmetic dentist in order to get these new veneers.

I was fitted for temporary veneers while the dentist worked on color-matching my veneers. Even the temporary veneers look nice, but they need to be more symmetrical, and I have some concerns about my gumline. I trusted my dentist, and was fine with him taking his time to get the color right.

However, even after all that time, my porcelain veneers still do not match. On top of one veneer being tinged with grey, the other one is bulky, sticks out, and I can feel it click against my tongue. My dentist did not seem too worried about the colors not matching, saying it could be easily fixed. Why couldn’t he have just taken extra time to match the colors in the first place? I’ve already paid for my veneers, I didn’t expect to have to keep coming back to the dentist after getting them! Was expecting two veneers to match too much to ask?

Edward, from Rhode Island

Hi Edward,

To answer your question, no, your request was not unreasonable. Porcelain veneers are easier to color match than porcelain crowns, which is what you had before. Inexperienced dentists having trouble matching a crown for a front tooth may request both teeth be crowned; that way, they are guaranteed to match. Also, the ceramic for crowns or veneers is usually processed in a dental lab, and colored by skilled ceramists. Your teeth may not match because the dentist is not discerning regarding the porcelain work his lab sends him.

The dentist who did your porcelain veneers also may not have been a skilled cosmetic dentist. Veneers require tooth preparation, and if your dentist does not prepare the surface enough, the veneer will appear bulky and feel uncomfortable in your mouth. The porcelain used for veneers can be opaque, so if your teeth were grey to start with, you may have needed them bleached before starting the veneer process.

A skilled cosmetic dentist would also have let you see your teeth in different types of lighting, taking photos from different angles. If you were not completely satisfied, he should have sent them back to the lab before putting them in.

If your dentist is not willing to fix the veneers for you, you will need to see another dentist for a second opinion. Cosmetic dentistry is not a specialization, but it is one that they can study through continuing education courses. Be sure to check potential dentist’s websites, especially their smile gallery. If you like the smiles they create, you should be in good hands.

This blog post is brought to you by San Antonio porcelain veneer provider, Dr. Gilberto Tostado. Please note that a cosmetic dentist is not a specialist, but Dr. Tostado is a member of the American College of Prosthodontists, and is highly trained in oral restoration.

Will a Holistic Dentist Help With My Bad Breath?

Posted on June 12, 2020 by AllSmiles.

Hi there,

I take good care of my teeth at home and always go to my hygienist every six months. However, a coworker mentioned I have had bad breath for months! They were too nervous to tell me, but I wish they had told me sooner! I’m very embarrassed by this. My dentist said getting a deep cleaning would eradicate the smell, but I’m not due for another cleaning for several months! I think there has to be some other underlying problem that he must be missing. What could it be? Would a holistic dentist be able to help me with my problem better? I just want my breath to go back to normal.

John, from Jackson, Wyoming

Hi John,

A holistic dentist may be able to help you. Holistic dentists take your entire medical history and your entire body into account when prescribing treatment. Holistic dentists are not certified specialists, but rather have a treatment philosophy based around natural practices, the patient’s input, and the patient’s medical history. For example, holistic dentists tend to do metal-free or mercury-free dentistry. Your issue could be caused by gum disease, or if your cleanings failed to remove all the buildup or bacteria present. However, bad breath could have other biological triggers such as diet or underlying health issues.

Some things you can consider adding to your oral hygiene routine could include cleaning your tongue with a tooth brush or tongue scraper. Try switching your mouthwash to an alcohol-free mouthwash, as alcohol-based ones can kill good bacteria and make your gums dry. If you’re already brushing and flossing regularly, be sure to make sure you are drinking enough water and staying hydrated throughout the day. Avoid anything like breath mints or breath spray, as it only treats the surface problem and not the underlying one.

Seeing a holistic dentist for a second opinion certainly can’t hurt, especially if you think your general dentist missed something.

This blog post is brought to you by San Antonio holistic dentist, Dr. Gilberto Tostado.

Is It Normal to Need Root Canals after getting Porcelain Crowns?

Posted on June 5, 2020 by AllSmiles.

Hi there,

I decided to get porcelain crowns a few years ago. My dentist said I needed a full-mouth restoration, and that there would not be any negative side effects. However, after the long intense process of getting extractions and crowns, a few of the crowns started hurting. I went back to my dentist several times for adjustments. When the pain went away, an abscess formed! An X-ray showed I needed root canals because of nerve damage. If I’d known about the risk of nerve damage, I may not have gone ahead with the crowns…

My dentist agreed to do several of the root canals I needed free of charge. However, more teeth have started hurting and even abscessing. I know they will most likely need root canals too, and I’m worried about the future. Will I need root canals on every crowned tooth? This whole process has been a nightmare. What can I do?

Thank you,

Stari, from Chicago, IL

Hi Stari,

When your dentist made your crowns, he ground down a lot of your natural teeth. If your dentist is not skilled at placing crowns, there is a rise of exposing the pulp inside your tooth. Exposed pulp can cause pain or become infected. If this happens, a root canal is the only way to remove the infection. Any teeth with decay or heavy fillings can increase the risk of infection as well. Teeth in poor condition may not be suited for crowns, and an extraction followed by a dental implant may have been a better course of action.

Your dentist should have definitely informed you of the risks prior to your smile makeover, so that you could make a fully informed decision. Since he did not, paying to fix the damage is the least he can do. It seems that by offering to pay, he feels some degree of responsibility for your situation.

Any problems with your crowns will have likely become apparent a few months after surgery. Since you’re a few years post-surgery, you are probably done with needing root canals. Should you need any more root canals, your dentist should continue to pay for them. If any of those crowns need replacing, opt for another cosmetic dentist for a second opinion.

This blog post is brought to you by San Antonio cosmetic dentist, Dr. Gilberto Tostada, of 5 Star Dental Group.