Archives for December 2023

What Can I Do If My Porcelain Veneers Are Too Shiny?

Posted on December 31, 2023 by AllSmiles.

In June of this year, I got porcelain veneers. I hate them because they are too shiny. Nothing about the temporary veneers I tried on in April gave me the idea that my teeth would look so fake. People have asked me if I am wearing something over my teeth to make them super shiny. I’m upset with myself for believing my dentist before he bonded my veneers. He said they looked super shiny because my natural teeth were dull and discolored. Almost daily, and every time I see pictures of myself smiling, I ache inside because I have spent thousands of dollars on a smile that doesn’t look natural. I’m wondering if you can tell me what to expect if I get a second opinion to see if the shine can be toned down. Thanks. Honoka from San Diego

Honoka

Proper shine and texture on the surface of porcelain veneers are crucial to helping them look natural. The glaze on porcelain veneers is needed to make it stain-resistant and give it a natural sparkle. But it must be applied correctly. From your description, your porcelain veneers lack texture. Veneers won’t look natural when the glaze is applied to a very flat surface.

What Are Your Options When Porcelain Veneers Are Too Shiny?

If your porcelain veneers are too shiny, you can reduce the shine with one of the following options:

Prophy Jet polish – A dental hygienist can use a Prophy Jet to polish the veneers, destroying the glaze from the porcelain and decreasing the shine. But your veneers still won’t look natural because they will lack texture. They will also readily attract stains.
Remake the veneers – We suggest asking your dentist to remake your porcelain veneers. You paid for a smile makeover, but you are disappointed with it. Insist that you try in the new veneers and that they are bonded to your teeth only when you love the new look.
Second opinion – Your dentist will likely be willing to have your porcelain veneers remade, but if he isn’t, a second opinion from a skilled cosmetic dentist will greatly help. If you receive new porcelain veneers from another dentist, consider the costs you might incur. Your current dentist might be willing to cooperate in at least partially compensating you.

Natural-Looking Porcelain Veneers from a Cosmetic Dentist

The mishap with your porcelain veneers doesn’t occur with a skilled cosmetic dentist. Although you said that during the try-in, your dentist assured you the veneers only appeared to be super sparkly because your natural teeth were dull, you were not given accurate information. An expert cosmetic dentist ensures you love your new smile at the try-in because afterward, they will bond the porcelain veneers to your teeth, and after that, they need to be remade if corrections are needed. What you see during the try-in is what you’ll continue to see for 15 years or more until your veneers wear out and require replacing.

Your dentist should have been willing to send your veneers back to the laboratory to re-do your smile makeover. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.

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

Dental Bonding on My Front Teeth Doesn’t Match

Posted on December 15, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I got dental bonding on my two front teeth about ten years ago. The bonding filled in chips on both teeth. I decided to refresh the bonding since it was beginning to look yellow. Although my dentist was confident she could do the bonding, it is the wrong color. The bonding is stark white and looks a bit grainy. My dentist’s answer is it looks better than the old bonding.

Also, one tooth is longer than the other, so I asked her to shave it. Unfortunately, she shaved it too short. So, I have too white and grainy bonding, and one tooth is too short. Now, my dentist says that sometimes it’s challenging to get bonding to match teeth perfectly. That’s her way of saying she does not know what she is doing. This is shameful. My dentist asked me to let her try again, but this process made me anxious. Other than this bonding work, I have loved my dentist. Is bonding that difficult? Should I give her another chance? Thank you. Jayla from NH

Jayla,

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

A cosmetic dentist bonds porcelain veneers to the fronts of teeth vs dental composite, which a dentist applies by hand

Dental bonding can be challenging for most dentists—especially on front teeth. Dental bonding is an art. Dentists need training to understand which tools, materials, and techniques produce results that look real. Applying bonding to teeth is like painting a beautiful picture on a canvas. It takes time and skill. Bonding can be an affordable alternative to porcelain veneers.

Getting Bonding to Match on Front Teeth

Getting bonding to match on front teeth begins with a cosmetic dentist for several reasons:

Cosmetic dentists skilled with bonding stock materials of varying color, texture, and translucence.
They understand how to blend the materials to replicate your tooth color, texture, and structure.
Some cosmetic dentists do it so well that you cannot distinguish the bonding from natural teeth.
Most dentists stick with what they were taught in dental school, which is insufficient to give you beautiful results.

Cosmetic dentists also understand how a patient’s smile can affect them emotionally. They listen to the patient, prepare to meet how you want your smile to look, and match your expectations. If you are unhappy with your smile, neither is a cosmetic dentist until they get it right.

Schedule a Cosmetic Dentistry Consultation

We recommend scheduling a cosmetic consultation with a dentist who has advanced bonding techniques training.

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

Why Do Same-Day Crowns Make My Mouth Dry?

Posted on December 11, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I received same-day crowns in June to close a large gap. My dentist placed the crowns on six upper front teeth. Since then, my mouth hasn’t closed well, and the crowns interfere with my speech. I think the tension from it all is causing dry mouth and sore lips. I’m so tense that my jaw and neck hurt, too. I don’t understand why this is happening. I’ve complained to my dentist, but her adjustments haven’t helped. Will removing the crowns resolve it? – Thanks. Drew from MT

Drew,

It’s good that you’re seeking advice. One of our dentists would need to examine your crowns for a definite diagnosis, but the crowns are likely causing the issues. However, your symptoms could occur with any crowns—not just same-day crowns.

Dental crowns should not cause pain, dry mouth, or issues with your speech. Your descriptions sound like your new crowns opened your bite too much.

Why Might Same-Day Crowns Make Your Mouth Dry?

Diagram of the temporomandibular joint and surrounding structures

A prosthodontist can determine why dental crowns cause dry mouth and TMJ symptoms.

Your crowns may dry your mouth if they are too thick, too long—or both. Your lips should close naturally without effort. When crowns interfere with your mouth and teeth, the problems you’ve described can occur. The consequences are severe enough to affect your oral health and contribute to other issues.

Lip incompetence – When your teeth prevent your lips from closing naturally without effort, it results in lip incompetence, including numbness and dry mouth. If your mouth doesn’t close properly, it interrupts saliva flow that contains antibodies that fight tooth decay. A dry mouth interrupts saliva and breeds bacteria that lead to tooth decay.
Misaligned bite – When your bite—how your upper and lower teeth fit together—is off, it can cause speech problems and TMJ-related jaw and neck pain.

We recommend visiting a cosmetic dentist for a second opinion. Dentists have difficulty achieving the right fit and bite when multiple crowns are placed on successive teeth. An advanced cosmetic dentist will examine your crowns and let you know your options for correcting crown placement or replacing them altogether.

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