Archives for July 2024

My Dentist Buffed Away a Scratch on My Veneer But Ruined the Shine

Posted on July 31, 2024 by AllSmiles.

I had a slight indentation/scratch on my left incisor porcelain veneer. I scheduled an appointment with my dentist to buff away the scratch. Although the scratch is gone, the veneer looks dull. It is matte, not shiny, although it is smooth. Will the veneer stain easily now that the shine is gone? Could another dentist restore the shine? – Thanks. Eldrige from TX

Eldrige,

While we can’t assess your dentist’s cosmetic dentistry training or experience, perhaps he hasn’t polished many porcelain veneers.

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

A cosmetic dentist can restore the shine to your porcelain veneer

Matte-finished porcelain is more prone to staining than glossy porcelain. However, a skilled cosmetic dentist can restore a significant amount of shine to the veneer. This process requires specific tools and knowledge but doesn’t require the expertise of an advanced cosmetic dentist.

If you’re satisfied with your dentist’s overall work, consider requesting a higher shine. You can mention that a professional porcelain polishing system like Brasseler’s Dialite can achieve the desired glossy finish. Otherwise, look for a dentist with post-graduate cosmetic dentistry training to restore the gloss to your veneer.

San Antonio dentists Dr. Gilberto Tostado and Dr. Karina Acuña sponsor this post. Read how they strive to provide patients with some of the best dental care in San Antonio.

Where Can I Find a Soft Denture That Doesn’t Hurt My Palate?

Posted on July 24, 2024 by AllSmiles.

Is there a soft denture with a flexible palate? The dentures I’ve had all have a hard palate that hurts the roof of my mouth. I’m looking for something more flexible and softer. – Thanks. Lydia from Yonkers, NY

Lydia,

Removable dentures can be uncomfortable. As you wear them over the years, it can be challenging to wear them.

What Is a Soft Denture?

When dentists mention “soft dentures,” they usually mean dentures with a soft lining. A soft lining can be helpful for individuals with bony ridges that traditional dentures irritate. Soft-lined dentures offer increased comfort but are more expensive, have a shorter lifespan, and require more diligent cleaning.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a completely soft, pliable denture option available. Complete dentures require a firm base for proper fit, function, and durability.

How Can You Improve Denture Comfort?

A palateless denture and a lower denture

A palateless denture is horseshoe shaped

Dental implants provide a strong foundation for replacement teeth, eliminating the need for a denture base covering the roof of your mouth. While more costly upfront, a palateless denture with implants offers a more natural feel, improved chewing ability, and prevents facial sagging associated with traditional dentures.

Talk to your dentist about your concerns or schedule a consultation with a prosthodontist about improving denture comfort and fit.

San Antonio dentists Dr. Gilberto Tostado and Dr. Karina Acuña sponsor this post. Read how they strive to provide patients with some of the best dental care in San Antonio.

Why Has She Lost Two Teeth in One Day?

Posted on July 15, 2024 by AllSmiles.

two missing lower left teeth. Last month, the dentist placed two new fillings. Last Wednesday, she lost two more teeth lower tooth on the right side of her mouth. My aunt is 76 but self-conscious. I suspect she still has gum disease, although her dentist says he treated it, and she only goes twice a year for deep cleanings. I’m unsure whether she would get a dental bridge at her age or another partial. She has a limited budget. What are her possible options? – Thanks, Kassidy from NJ

Kassidy,

Your aunt needs immediate care from a gum disease specialist.

What Causes Multiple Tooth Loss?

A Cu-Sil partial denture
(image courtesy of Dental Arts Laboratory, Peoria, IL)

Advanced gum diseases cause multiple tooth loss. If your aunt recently lost two more teeth, she has advanced gum disease. We recommend scheduling an appointment with a periodontist (gum disease specialist). Although her dentist may think the gum disease is controlled, tooth loss means it’s out of control.

If your aunt’s remaining teeth are unstable and she has gum disease, a dental bridge is not an option. Natural teeth are the anchors for the replacement teeth in a dental bridge. However, the bridge stresses the anchor teeth, which would likely cause additional tooth loss for your aunt.

Dental implants are the ideal option for missing teeth but are too expensive for a limited budget. A periodontist must evaluate your aunt’s gum and bone health to determine which tooth replacement options are best and when to place them. A Cu-Sil partial may be an option. It is a partial denture to replace missing teeth. However, openings in the denture allow existing teeth to poke through.

See a periodontist for gum disease treatment. A prosthodontist (tooth replacement specialist) can collaborate with the periodontist to develop a treatment plan for replacing your aunt’s teeth at the optimal time. Meanwhile, the prosthodontist will explain options for temporary teeth replacement.

San Antonio dentists Dr. Gilberto Tostado and Dr. Karina Acuña sponsor this post. Read how they strive to provide patients with some of the best dental care in San Antonio.