porcelain veneers Archives - 5 Star Dental Group

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.

Are Online Teeth Veneers a Total Waste of Money?

Posted on January 31, 2024 by AllSmiles.

I’ve been searching online for teeth veneers on and off for the past few weeks. I don’t expect online veneers to look as good or last as long as porcelain veneers, but are they a total waste of money? – Thanks. Annalise from Sacramento

Annalise,

Are Online Teeth Veneers a Waste of Money?

Unlike porcelain veneers that a dentist individually bonds to the fronts of your teeth, online veneers are a single removable appliance

Although online veneers cannot match porcelain veneers’ comfort, beauty, and durability, some consumers enjoy them for special occasions and do not consider them a waste of money. Depending on how often you want to wear online veneers, you may find that they help you feel better about smiling.

What Is an Advantage of Online Veneers?

One advantage of online snap-on veneers is that they are removable. If you dislike how they look or feel, snap them out and revert to your natural smile. However, online veneers will give you an acceptable smile, not a beautiful one.

Quality Concerns with Remote Dental Services

Without direct dentist supervision, quality suffers. Companies offering remote dental services get customer complaints. Online companies often prioritize profit over customers’ oral health and satisfaction.

Check customers’ online reviews that are not on the sellers’ websites. Take note of the negative reviews and reasons for consumer dissatisfaction.

Alternatives to Online Veneers

One alternative to online veneers is the Snap-On Smile®, which requires a local dentist’s supervision. The dentist would take impressions of your teeth for a custom snap-on smile. However, the appliance fits over your teeth, making them look bulky. A Snap-On Smile is a temporary smile makeover for occasional use or special events. Still, it doesn’t look natural close-up.

Whether you choose online veneers or a Snap-On Smile, it is not intended for everyday wear. The appliance will quickly wear out, especially if you do not remove it to eat and drink. The more you wear the appliance, the more frequently you need to replace it.

We encourage you to consider what you want to improve about your smile. You may be surprised to learn how teeth whitening or dental bonding for chips or cracks can help you get natural-looking improvement that lasts.

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 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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

New Veneers on Front Teeth Don’t Match My Natural Teeth

Posted on March 15, 2023 by AllSmiles.

Last month I got porcelain veneers on my 4 top front teeth. They are so much whiter than my other teeth. People have actually asked me if I got 4 new teeth. It’s so embarrassing. Me and my dentist had a long talk about this, but she says the veneers will get dull with time. Aren’t they supposed to match my teeth? Will they get darker with time? Giovanni (Gio)

Gio –

Thank you for contacting 5 Star Dental Group in San Antonio.

Yes, your new porcelain veneers should match the color of your natural teeth. They should blend in with your natural teeth’s size, shape, and color so people can’t tell you to have veneers. If you wanted ultra-white veneers, your dentist should have whitened your natural teeth before making the restorations to ensure a match.

A cosmetic dentist can match porcelain veneers to your natural teeth

Porcelain is colorfast, which means a dentist cannot make your veneers lighter or darker after a ceramist crafts them. Your new smile’s color must be determined and agreed upon by you and your dentist.

At this point, you have two options. Regardless of your choice, we recommend finding an experienced cosmetic dentist to help you. A cosmetic dentist has an artistic eye for the best results possible. The options are as follows:

Whiten your natural teeth – It is possible that a dentist can whiten your natural teeth to match the color of your porcelain veneers closely. A cosmetic dentist will need to examine your teeth to determine if you are a candidate for teeth bleaching. If you are, they will tell you the results you can expect with whitening and how closely your natural teeth will match the veneers. As we mentioned earlier, a dentist must complete teeth whitening before porcelain restorations if a patient wants a brighter smile.
Get new porcelain veneers – Your dentist should offer to replace your porcelain veneers if she cannot achieve a match. You can allow her to try again or ask her to compensate you for getting a cosmetic dentist to replace your veneers.

We strongly suggest that you research to find a cosmetic dentist with experience. You can find a few cosmetic dentists with porcelain veneers experience and have a consultation with each of them before making a decision. When you get beautiful results, you’ll be happy that you found the right dentist.

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

Will the Front Teeth Gap Close When Wisdom Teeth Come In?

Posted on March 7, 2023 by AllSmiles.

Hi,

I’ll be 17 in October. What are the chances that a gap between my 2 front teeth will close when my wisdom teeth come in? Will I need braces? – Thanks, Kasen from OKC

Kasen,

Thank you for contacting 5 Star Dental Group in San Antonio. Dr. Tostado or Dr. Acuña would need to examine and x-ray your teeth before recommending treatment, but we will explain possible options.

Will the Eruption Wisdom Teeth Close a Gap Between Front Teeth?

Whether wisdom teeth close a gap between your front teeth depends on several factors, including:

The gap size – The gap (diastema) between the front teeth may close with wisdom teeth eruption if the space is small.
Whether tissue exists between your front teeth – Sometimes soft tissue, or labial frenum, hangs from your gums into the gap. The frenum can prevent a space from closing unless a dentist surgically removes the tissue.
How and if the wisdom teeth erupt – If wisdom teeth erupt partially or in the wrong position, they may not close a gap between front teeth. The position of wisdom teeth can move other teeth out of alignment.

What Are Your Options for Closing a Gap Between Your Front Teeth?

Depending on the condition of your teeth and the size of the gap, a cosmetic dentist may recommend one of these treatments for closing the gap:

Dental bonding. A dentist can blend composite bonding to perfectly match your tooth shade and layer it to close a small gap between your teeth. Dental bonding is usually not the preference for large spaces between teeth.
Porcelain veneers. A cosmetic dentist can prepare your teeth and partner with a dental lab to make custom shells of porcelain for the fronts of your teeth. Closing the gap and balancing your smile may require getting porcelain veneers for more than your two front teeth. A dentist will ensure your jawbone growth is complete before placing veneers. Otherwise, the veneers will not cover your teeth as they shift with jawbone growth.
The gap size and cause may require braces. Although many patients prefer a faster resolution, a dentist may determine that braces are the most effective long-term solution to the gap between your teeth. Braces and a retainer can also help prevent future concerns with misalignment.

We recommend scheduling a wisdom teeth evaluation with a dentist to determine whether your teeth will fully erupt. The dentist can also examine your teeth and explain treatment options for closing your gap.

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

Replace My Dental Bonding with Veneers for Chipped Teeth?

Posted on February 12, 2023 by AllSmiles.

Last August, I had an accident that chipped my center front teeth and the tooth next to my left center tooth (facing me). My dentist filled in the chips with dental bonding. But the chips are medium-sized and noticeable. My dentist tried the bonding twice, but it doesn’t look smooth or match my teeth. Three weeks ago, I had a dental cleaning and talked to my dentist about my concerns. He said that porcelain veneers would look better and that he could do them for my four front teeth to ensure everything matches. We went from bonding to $2,500 per veneer. Is this the only way to hide the chips and ensure my teeth match? – Thanks. Katherine from Dover, DE

Katherine,

Thank you for contacting 5 Star Dental Group. Dr. Tostado or Dr. Acuña would need to examine and x-ray your teeth before recommending treatment, but we will explain your options.

Dental Bonding or Porcelain Veneers for Chipped Teeth?

If you have chipped teeth, either dental bonding or porcelain veneers can restore them. You will get the best results from either technique by choosing a dentist with advanced cosmetic dentistry training.

Dental bonding

Although dental bonding costs much less than porcelain veneers, a skilled cosmetic dentist can produce beautiful results. Cosmetic bonding, especially with larger chips, requires artistic ability from a dentist. Cosmetic dentists have an inventory of composites to ensure they match your tooth color and blend seamlessly with your teeth.

Dental bonding

The dental bonding technique includes the following:

Selecting composite shades to match your natural teeth
Lightly etch your teeth and apply a bonding agent
Layering dental bonding
Sculpting the bonding to match the characteristics of your natural teeth
Shaping, hardening, and polishing the composite

Quality dental bonding can last five years or longer if you take good care of it.

Porcelain veneers

The porcelain veneers process also requires advanced cosmetic dentistry training to make the veneers look natural and blend with our teeth.

The porcelain veneers process includes the following:

Removing tiny amounts of tooth enamel from the fronts of your teeth to ensure the porcelain veneers fit well
Taking impressions of your teeth for temporary veneers
Allowing you to wear the temporary veneers to ensure you are satisfied
Partnering with a dental lab to craft custom veneers for you
Bonding the veneers to your teeth.

High-quality porcelain veneers can last 15 years or longer if you take care of them and get routine maintenance from a cosmetic dentist.

We recommend scheduling a consultation with a prosthodontist, a dentist with two to three years of advanced cosmetic dentistry training. You may choose to schedule consultations with more than one dentist.

Ask to see their patients’ dental bonding cases for chipped teeth.
Search online for patient reviews of the dentist’s work.
Ask the dentist how many cases like yours they have completed.
San Antonio dentists

Gilberto Tostado and Dr. Karina Acuña sponsor this post.