Archives for October 2023

Can I Get Too-White Porcelain Veneers Darkened?

Posted on October 27, 2023 by AllSmiles.

Can a cosmetic dentist darken my porcelain veneers, or am I stuck with them? I got the veneers in 2021. I did the try-ins before the lab made the permanent veneers, but the try-ins were not this white! When the permanent ones came in, I told my dentist that they were too white, but she said that they were the same color as the temporary ones and that I needed to get used to them. Two years later, people still ask me if the veneers are my natural teeth. I avoid the history and say Yes. My question is: Can a cosmetic dentist darken my veneers, or am I stuck with them? Thank you. Keanu from NJ

Keanu – We understand your concerns and self-consciousness about porcelain veneers that are too white.

Can You Darken Porcelain Veneers?

A porcelain veneer held with dental forceps next to a woman's tooth

Porcelain veneers are colorfast

A skilled cosmetic dentist and lab cannot darken porcelain veneers because they are colorfast. While you have a try-in or temporary veneers, you can request adjustments, including color changes. After a ceramist makes the final veneers in porcelain, the color is permanent.

However, if you are uncomfortable with your veneers’ color and can afford to replace them, you can get new ones. Look for a prosthodontist or cosmetic dentist with advanced training. Cosmetic dentists have an artistic approach to designing your smile and will not be satisfied until it is perfect and exactly what you want.

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

Missing Lateral Incisor – Will a Mini-Implant Work?

Posted on October 15, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I was born without my upper right lateral incisor. Can a mini-implant replace it? I wore braces as a teen, and our family dentist had a dental flipper made to replace the incisor. Now, I want something more permanent. I have seen the cost of dental implants and wonder if a mini-implant will work since incisors are smaller than other teeth. If not, what other options might I have? – Thanks. Steve from RI

Steve,

Thank you for your inquiry.

Dental implants are ideal for replacing missing teeth. After orthodontic treatment and creating space for tooth replacement, an implant is the only way to prevent bone shrinkage in the area. Also, an implant will last longer than other types of tooth replacement.

Will a Mini-Implant Work for a Lateral Incisor?

A mini-implant can work for a later incisor. Mini-implants are one-third the diameter of standard implants. However, they are not as strong as traditional implants.

Mini-implants have these uses:

Replace small teeth
Fit spaces too small for a standard implant
Stabilize dentures

Mini-implant for an incisor

Dental implant with crown, abutment, and implant screw tagged

Consult a prosthodontist about replacing a lateral incisor with a dental implant

A dentist would need to perform an exam and take impressions and a CT scan of your mouth, many dentists replace lateral incisors with mini-implants. It might work for your case, too. After an exam, a skilled implant dentist will explain which implant size will work best for your case.

Dental Bridge – An Alternative to Replace a Missing Tooth

A dental bridge can replace a missing tooth. It contains at least three adjoined crowns:

Crowns on the end of the bridge are anchors
A center crown replaces the missing tooth

Your dentist must grind down the tooth on either side of the missing one so the end crowns will fit over your natural teeth. But if your teeth are healthy, why grind them down? Dental implants do not require work on other teeth.

Schedule consultations with at least two prosthodontists or dentists with advanced implant training to discuss your options for replacing your missing lateral incisor.

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

My Lateral Incisors Are Too Short

Posted on October 6, 2023 by AllSmiles.

My left and right lateral incisors are way too short. I am 33, so there is no hope of a growth spurt. Can my teeth be moved down with braces or lengthened somehow? My sister thinks porcelain veneers might work, but I really don’t want them. – Leayah from ATL

Leayah – An examination and diagnostic studies are required to determine why your lateral incisors are too short. The examination will reveal if your teeth are fully erupted and properly positioned. If they are, orthodontic treatment is probably not the answer.

What Are the Options for Short Lateral Incisors?

An artistic cosmetic dentist can determine your treatment options if your lateral incisors are too short. Some possibilities are listed below.

Gum contouring – Using a dental laser, a dentist can shorten and contour your gums around your incisors to give them a more extended appearance. This is a possibility only if gum contouring does not expose tooth roots.
Cosmetic bonding – Dental composite can match the color and translucency of your natural teeth. A cosmetic dentist will clean and lightly etch your teeth. After applying dental bonding, the dentist will shape and harden it, then polish it for a natural look. If you receive quality dental bonding, take care of it and have it regularly maintained by a cosmetic dentist. It can last five to ten years or more.
Porcelain veneers – A cosmetic dentist will bond thin layers of porcelain will bond to your incisors. Your incisors may need minimal tooth enamel removed to prevent veneers from looking bulky. Porcelain veneers won’t stain. They can last up to 15 years.

Whether you receive porcelain veneers or some other form of cosmetic dentistry, the quality, durability, and look of the restoration you receive depend on the skill of the cosmetic dentist you choose. We recommend consulting two or three experienced cosmetic dentists. Ask about each dentist’s training, credentials, and experience. Also, ask to see photos of each dentist’s patient cases like yours.

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