Archives for July 2023

I Have a New Tooth Gap from Gum Disease

Posted on July 24, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I have a new tooth gap from gum disease between my front left center tooth and the canine. I had braces from ages 15 to 17, and my teeth were straight, but now my smile is messed up. I am afraid of what will happen to my teeth. How does a dentist close a gap that results from gum disease? Thanks, Martine

Martine,

Periodontal (gum) disease is advanced when it causes your teeth to move. If you have not begun treatment, schedule an appointment with a periodontist for an evaluation.

Why Do Tooth Gaps Form with Gum Disease?

Tooth gaps can form with untreated gum disease. The infection and bacteria cause teeth to separate from their ligaments and supporting bones. The condition will also destroy the bone. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, a periodontologist (gum specialist) will assign a stage to your gum disease—from initial to severe—and recommend treatment.

What Is the Treatment for Tooth Gaps from Gum Disease?

Treating tooth gaps from gum disease depends on the severity of your case but can include:

Deep cleanings – Removing plaque and toxins from gum pockets and smooth tooth roots
Bone graft – Replacing damaged or destroyed bone with grafting material
Gum grafts – Replacing destroyed gum tissue with donor material or soft tissue from your palate

Dental implant with crown, abutment, and implant screw tagged

A dental implant can replace unsavable teeth

Your specialist will explain which treatment combinations you need. Some treatment plans include braces to realign teeth.

Unsavable teeth require removal and replacement with dental implants. A dental bridge may be an option if your budget does not allow you to get dental implants.

We recommend scheduling a consultation with a periodontist and a skilled cosmetic dentist to help restore your oral health and smile.

San Antonio dentists Dr. Gilberto Tostado and Dr. Karina Acuña sponsor this post.

My Gums Are Still Swollen Around My New Porcelain Veneers

Posted on July 15, 2023 by AllSmiles.

Since I got them in early May, my gums have been swollen around my porcelain veneers, and my teeth look horrible. When I had a dental cleaning two weeks ago, the hygienist implied that I was not flossing between my teeth or brushing them too hard. She is wrong. When I saw my dentist last Wednesday, he removed some cement around the veneers and told me to call if it didn’t improve. My gums are swollen, and I am concerned that the problem will get worse if my dentist does not take responsibility. Should I insist that he take another look or get a second opinion? Why would I have lingering swelling after getting veneers? Thanks. Yasmin

Yasmin,

Although Dr. Tostado would need to examine your teeth, gums, and veneers, we can explain the possible causes of your gum inflammation.

What Causes Swollen Gums After Getting Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneer being placed on a tooth

Get a second opinion of porcelain veneers are irritating your gums

Swollen gums after getting porcelain veneers can result from one or more of these factors:

Excess cement left around the veneers
Improper porcelain veneer position
Irregularities where a veneer meets your tooth
Sensitivity to dental ceramics

We will explain.

Excess cement left around the veneers

When a dentist cures the cement in the middle of a tooth and removes the excess around the porcelain veneer immediately, it is unlikely that the bonding agent will irritate your gum tissue.

Improper porcelain veneer position

A porcelain veneer that fits too far beneath your gumline can inflame the tissue and lead to infection.

Irregular margins

Unevenness where the veneer and a tooth meet can irritate gum tissue. If inflammation or infection lingers, you may need to see a periodontist (gum specialist).

Ceramic sensitivity

Sometimes, sensitivity to dental ceramics can cause inflammation or infection.

We recommend consultation with an experienced cosmetic dentist for an exam and a second opinion. A cosmetic dentist will identify the cause of the irritation around your porcelain veneers and recommend treatment.

San Antonio dentists Dr. Gilberto Tostado and Dr. Karina Acuña sponsor this post.

Why Are My New Porcelain Veneers Staining?

Posted on July 3, 2023 by AllSmiles.

If porcelain veneers are stain resistant, why are there stains around mine? I got the veneers in October 2021 and will finish paying for them this year. They will be yellow before I finish my payments. I wonder if the problem is from some chemicals the dentist used on the veneers. I should have followed my instinct and looked for a holistic dentist. What can my dentist do to stop the staining? Please don’t say that I will need new veneers. Thank you. – Luz

Luz

Yes, intact porcelain veneers are stain resistant. A cosmetic dentist would need to examine your veneers or see pictures of them to determine what may be causing the stains. But we can explain a few possibilities.

Three Reasons that Porcelain Veneers Might Stain

Porcelain veneers may stain if there is damage to the glazed surface if there is a gap where the veneer and tooth meet, or if there is excess composite bonding around near your gumline. These are mistakes that even a holistic dentist can make if they don’t have advanced cosmetic dentistry training:

Damage to the glazed surface – Power polishing equipment or acidulated fluoride can damage your veneers. If a dental hygienist mistakenly used either on your tooth and damaged the laze, you can see stains across the surface of your porcelain veneers.
Gap between the porcelain and your teeth – If a dentist left a gap between the porcelain and your teeth, bacteria could leak in and stain your teeth.
Excess composite bonding – If a dentist does not thoroughly clean the composite around your teeth, it can cause staining.

How to Remove Stains from Your New Veneers

If you have porcelain veneers, a skilled cosmetic dentist can polish your veneers. For regular polishing, a hygienist can use ultra-fine polishing strips and paste to remove plaque and keep your veneers smooth and stain resistant.
Regular maintenance can prolong the life of your veneers. You may want to schedule a second opinion skilled cosmetic dentist to examine your veneers and determine why they are staining. Then you can determine if you want your current dentist to polish them or if you want to find another provider.
San Antonio, TX, dentist Gilberto Tostado sponsors this post.