January 11, 2019 by

Porcelain Veneers and Homemade Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash – Are They a Good Match?

“Rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide.” That’s advice that many people have heard for years. But is it really good advice? And what if you have porcelain veneers? Is your homemade mouthwash cocktail still worthwhile?

The Effects of Hydrogen Peroxide in Your Mouth

As you rinse your mouth with it, hydrogen peroxide bubbles and releases oxygen. What’s the result?

The oxygen kills harmful bacteria that promote gum disease.
Beneficial microbes are also killed.
The absence of good bacteria causes other microorganisms, including yeast, to thrive.
Extended use (approximately two weeks or longer) of hydrogen peroxide to rinse your mouth will cause candida albicans to grow. The result is an oral yeast infection that will cause the tissue inside your mouth to become white and peel. The tissue will be red, raw, and painful.

What Should You Do?

Photo of one porcelain veneer held by dental forceps, for information on microleakage from the Chatham, NJ office of Allyson Hurley, DDS.

Practice good oral hygiene with porcelain veneers

If you wear porcelain veneers, there is a need for caution with the type of mouthwash you use. Mouthwash that contains alcohol softens the bonding that secures veneers to your teeth, and it will promote staining. Diligent oral hygiene limits the need for mouthwash.

Brush your teeth with non-abrasive toothpaste twice daily.
Floss daily.
If you still need mouthwash, ensure its alcohol free.

Prolong the Life of Your Veneers

Maintain regular exam and cleaning appointments – Ensure that your exams and cleanings are only completed by a dentist and hygienist who are trained in proper maintenance of porcelain veneers. Power polishing equipment should never be used on veneers.
Wear a mouth guard – Wear a custom mouth guard if you play contact sports.
Wear an oral appliance at night – If you grind your teeth at night, tell your dentist. Wearing an oral appliance at night will protect your teeth.
Use a sonic toothbrush – The soft, vibrating bristles of a sonic toothbrush will clean and polish your porcelain veneers.
Limit snacks and sugar intake – Sugary foods and drink promote bacteria and decay, and so does frequent snacking.

If you practice diligent oral hygiene but still have problems with bad breath, speak with your dentist. Certain dental and medical issues, as well as certain prescription medications, can cause strong odors on your breath. Your dentist can help determine the cause of the odor and recommend steps to address it.

This post is sponsored by Chatham, NJ accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley. Find out why she has repeatedly been voted a top dentist by NJ Monthly Magazine.

November 12, 2018 by

Will a second opinion help if my porcelain veneers are too shiny?

In June of this year, I received porcelain veneers. I hate them because they are too shiny. Nothing about the temporary veneers I tried on in May gave me the idea that my teeth would look so fake. People have actually 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 on. He said that they looked super shiny because my natural teeth were so very 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. Yukiko

Yukiko,

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, but also to give it a natural sparkle. But it must be applied correctly. From your description, your porcelain veneers lack texture. When the glaze is applied to a very flat surface, veneers won’t look natural.

Take a look at the teeth in the photo below. Three of teeth are natural, but the lateral incisor on the right is a dental crown. Now tooth a look at the surface of the teeth. It is irregular, yet shiny. Texture helps to make teeth sparkle. Porcelain restorations must have texture, too. The dental crown looks completely natural.

Photo of four upper front teeth with a crown on the incisor to the right; for information on why porcelain veneers might be too shiny.

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 during the try-in. He or she wants knows that after the veneers are bonded to your teeth, they would 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 need to be replaced.

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

What Are Your Options?

Prophy Jet polish – A dental hygienist can use a Prophy Jet to polish the veneers, which will destroy the glaze from the porcelain and decrease the shine. But your veneers still won’t look natural because they will lack texture. They will also readily attract stain.
Remake the veneers – We suggest that you ask your dentist to have your porcelain veneers remade. You paid for a smile makeover but didn’t receive what you wanted. 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 an accredited cosmetic dentist will greatly help. If you choose to 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 in some way.

This post is sponsored by NJ accredited cosmetic dentist and 11-time recipient of the NJ Monthly magazine Top Dentist award Dr. Allyson Hurley.

August 30, 2018 by

Are you unhappy with porcelain veneers that are off-center or that are not in harmony with the midline of your face? Your smile can be corrected, but several factors are involved in finding the right cosmetic dentist to ensure that this time you receive stunning results that look natural.

Off-Center Porcelain Veneers – Who Can Correct Them?

Photo of a single porcelain veneers being held by dental forceps; for information from Chatham, NJ accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

Accredited cosmetic dentists produce beautiful results with porcelain veneers

Off-center porcelain veneers can be corrected, but there are qualities and abilities you should look for when selecting a cosmetic dentist to give you the smile you want.

Experience – An experienced cosmetic dentist knows and understands tooth structure, and how it influences the look of your smile.
Artistry – Like an artist who knows how to select colors for a painting or drawing, an artistic cosmetic dentistry skillfully selects colors that will look natural. Also, the shape of the porcelain veneers will be sculpted to look like adjacent teeth.
Balance – If you select an accredited cosmetic dentist, he or she will know how to balance your porcelain veneers from the gumline to the ends. The midline of your face is an important factor in achieving balance, and normally, your teeth fall on either side of it. Gaps between teeth or teeth that have shifted affect your smile. Your dentist will know if cosmetic dentistry alone, or a combination of cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics, will produce the results you want with porcelain veneers.

What Caused the Problem?

If your natural teeth didn’t have a line of symmetry, the dentist who originally provided your porcelain veneers should have created it. Improper preparation of your natural teeth or the wrong shape or size of your veneers can cause your smile to be off center.

What’s the Solution?

New porcelain veneers will correct your smile. We recommend that you schedule at least two consultations—both with an accredited cosmetic dentist. An accredited cosmetic dentist has successfully passed rigorous testing and has submitted cases of his or her work that prove the ability to create beautiful smiles in complex situations. Each dentist will let you know your options and the results you can expect.

We welcome you to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Allyson Hurley, an accredited member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and a repeat winner of the NJ Top Dentist award from NJ Monthly Magazine, as well as a variety of cosmetic dentistry awards.

You can also visit Dr. Hurley’s smile gallery to see examples of her beautiful work.

June 4, 2018 by

I‘ve had six porcelain veneers for 6 years and they are turning dark. I know the veneers can last much longer than that. I’ve been with my current dentist for 2 years now. I asked him about the veneers and his response was, “Hmm. I am not certain.” That scared me. Why would my veneers turn dark already? – Tori

Tori – Your porcelain veneers need to be examined for us to identify the exact problem. We can tell you that porcelain is stain resistant and very hard—much more so than natural teeth. But despite their durability, there are a few reasons they might turn dark:

Improper glaze – If porcelain veneers are glazed correctly, the color won’t remain stable.
Damage to glaze – The glaze of porcelain veneers can be quickly destroyed if a dental hygienist uses power polishing equipment on them. When the glaze on veneers is damaged, it only takes a few weeks for them to attract stain and start to become darker.
Gaps – When veneers are placed, if there are gaps left between the porcelain and your teeth, bacteria can leak in, promote decay, and darken your teeth.

It may be possible to restore the beauty of your veneers. An expert cosmetic dentist needs to examine your teeth and veneers to determine the cause of the discoloration. He or she has the tools required and knows the techniques required to restore them if possible. Find an experienced (preferably accredited) cosmetic dentist and schedule an examination.

This post is sponsored by top NJ dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

Advanced dental technology has provided a highly aesthetic alternative to porcelain veneers learn about it on the San Diego Bioclear page.

February 9, 2018 by

My porcelain veneers are starting to stain at my gumline. It is noticeable on 2 of the veneers. I received 8 veneers in 2006, so it’s been 12 years since I got them. The color of the veneers actually looks good, but I noticed a gray stain near my gumline after my dental cleaning. Could the hygienist have damaged my veneers? Is there a way to cover the gray, or will I need new veneers? – Liz

Liz – Porcelain veneers are color stable and they resist stain. As they age, the margin, or top edge, can separate from your gumline. This usually affects the first one or two millimeters at the edge of the veneers.

Porcelain veneer

When veneers begin to separate from your gumline, microleakage can occur. Tiny particles or liquid can get between the veneer and your natural tooth. Based on the age of your veneers, it is unlikely that the problem is due to improper dental cleaning.

Correcting Microleakage in Porcelain Veneers

Stains from microleakage can’t be polished away. When veneers are new, a skilled cosmetic dentist might recommend the following steps to restore them:

Remove the veneer
Clean it and your tooth
Remove decay from the tooth
Bond the veneer on again

Older veneers need to be replaced to prevent decay. Visit an experienced cosmetic dentist for an examination. If the problem is due to particles leaking between your porcelain veneers and teeth, it is likely that the dentist will recommend replacing the veneers.

You should ask the dentist to examine your teeth for signs of your porcelain veneers separating from your gumline. It’s best to be proactive and address any issues instead of waiting for signs of microleakage. The average lifespan of veneers is 15 to 20 years, so if the dentist recommends replacing them, it might be to your advantage to do so.

This blog post is sponsored by Chatham, NJ accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

December 11, 2017 by

Can you give me some advice on whether porcelain veneers or teeth whitening will work best on fluorosis stains? I’ve had them on my teeth since I was about 10 years old. My mom and dad wanted to wait to see if I grew out of the stains. I’m 38 now and the spots are still there and they’re dark brown, too. They don’t look any better to me now that I’m older. I see some people looking at my teeth trying to figure out what’s going on with them. It’s embarrassing. I’m trying to figure out the best way to get rid of the stains without going broke trying to do it. I’m thinking that teeth whitening is probably the cheapest way to go but I also want to be sure that it will work. Thanks. Sandi

Sandi – A note for our readers – When too much fluoride is consumed while teeth are forming, fluorosis stains occur. Some communities have drinking water in which there is naturally too much fluoride. If some of the fluoride isn’t removed fluorosis occurs. It’s also caused by taking fluoride supplements when they are not needed and swallowing too much fluoridated toothpaste.

Fluorosis stains on teeth are best treated by a cosmetic dentist with experience in treating them. Depending on the color and extent of the stains, there are different methods for treating them. Getting your teeth whitened is not necessarily the best choice.

Dental Bonding for Limited Stains

You mentioned that you have dark brown spots on your teeth. Porcelain veneers might not be necessary. Depending on how extensive the stains are, they can be covered with dental bonding. The bonding will cover the affected spots. An experienced cosmetic dentist will ensure that the bonding matches the color and translucency of your natural teeth, and people won’t be able to tell that you ever had the stains.

Porcelain Veneers for Extensive Stains

If the spotting covers a large area of the teeth, it is best covered with porcelain veneers. Again, to effectively cover the teeth and create a natural look, find a cosmetic dentist who is experienced with porcelain veneers. Care must be taken to ensure the veneers have translucence but still conceal the stains. Few dentists have the skill and artistic eye to accomplish this.

Treating Yellow Stains

When stains are yellow in color, the cause is unlikely to be fluorosis, and teeth whitening can be used first to try to remove them. Dark stains will only become more noticeable with teeth bleaching, which uniformly whitens teeth, instead of whitening only the dark spots.

We highly recommend that you schedule an appointment with an accredited cosmetic dentist to discuss your options.

This post is sponsored by Chatham, NJ accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

October 21, 2017 by

Are porcelain veneers the only option for short lateral incisors? My left and right lateral incisors are way too short. I am 33 yrs old so there is no hope of a growth spurt. Can they be moved down with braces or lengthened somehow? My sister thinks porcelain veneers might work, but I really don’t want them. I don’t want to ask my dentist about it yet because I’m not sure I want him to do the work. He thinks he can do anything for anyone’s teeth but he is only a general dentist. Thanks. – Bronwyn

Bronwyn – 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 in their proper position. If they are, orthodontic treatment is probably not the answer. Porcelain veneers might be the best solution, but there are likely other options.

Porcelain Veneers and Other Options for Short Incisors

An artistic cosmetic dentist can examine your teeth to consider your treatment options. Some possibilities are listed below.

Gum contouring – Using a dental laser, your gums can be shortened and contoured around your incisors to give them a longer appearance. This is a possibility only if gum contouring will not expose tooth roots.
Cosmetic bonding – Dental composite can be manipulated to match the color and translucence of your natural teeth. After a tooth is cleaned and lightly etched, a bonding agent is applied. Dental composite is applied to the tooth, shaped, and hardened. It will be further shaped and polished 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 ten years or more.
Porcelain veneers – Thin layers of porcelain will be bonding to your incisors. Preparation of the incisors may be required, which can include lightly shaving them. Preparation prevents veneers from looking bulky. Porcelain veneers won’t stain. When well maintained by you and your dentist, they can last up to 15 years.
Porcelain crowns – A dental crown is placed over a tooth. The size of the tooth must be reduced to accommodate the crown. Crowns also serve as a protection to teeth that are damaged. When well maintained by you and your dentist, they can last 15 years or more. Crowns are a more aggressive treatment and require your teeth to be tapered to accommodate the crowns.

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 that you find two or three experience cosmetic dentists with whom you can schedule consultations. Ask about each dentist’s training, credentials, and experience. Also ask to see before-and-after photos of each dentist’s actual patient cases that are similar to the treatment that is being recommended to you.

This post is sponsored by Chatham, NJ accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

July 15, 2017 by

I’ve been considering porcelain veneers for 5 teeth that are slightly twisted and have fluorosis stains. I went to 2 cosmetic dentists for estimates on correcting my teeth. The prices are higher than I expected. If the rates they quoted are common, I won’t be able to afford veneers until 2019. It doesn’t sound like a long time from now, but it is when your teeth are affected. I subscribe to Groupon e-mails and a few days ago I received notification about a dentist who is offering porcelain veneers at a discount. I called the office and found out I would save 40% of what I was quoted at my consultations for the other 2 dentists. One of my best friends told me it’s probably I scam, but it is a real dental office. Maybe the dentist is just advertising so people know about her services. I want to buy the offer before it expires or reaches the max for buyers. Do you know anything about Dr. (name withheld) that would raise a red flag for why I shouldn’t get porcelain veneers from her? Thanks. Gina.

Gina – We are neither familiar with the dentist you named, nor her services. Whether you purchase a Groupon or not, caution is always needed when choosing a dentist for porcelain veneers.

Before You Choose a Dentist for Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are an investment. Before you choose a dentist for them, there are several factors to consider.

Any dentist can provide porcelain veneers, but few dentists do them well.
Cosmetic dentistry is an art. A true dental artist has:
- Post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry
- On-going training in the art
- An artistic eye to produce beautiful results
- The right tools, technique, and technology to transform your smile
Concealing fluorosis stains with porcelain veneers requires the talent of a highly skilled cosmetic dentist.

What to Expect and What to Ask

Like any beautiful artwork, porcelain veneers are in investment. An artistic cosmetic dentist uses the finest porcelain and the best labs. Your smile will be designed to match your requests, and to fit your personality and facial features.

You will receive mock-up veneers and try-in veneers to ensure you love the way your smile looks. It takes time to produce beautiful results. And you have to be willing to pay for them.

Before you purchase a Groupon for veneers, learn about the dentist’s experience and training.

How much post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry has been received?
Does the dentist participate in ongoing training?
How many porcelain veneers cases has the dentist completed?
How many cases of fluorosis stains with veneers has the dentist completed?
Does she have actual patient photos to show you?

The best results come from an accredited cosmetic dentist—particularly with fluorosis stains. Although you have to invest more in your smile with an accredited cosmetic dentist, the results will be beautiful and long lasting.

This post is sponsored by Chatham, NJ accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

May 30, 2017 by

I got porcelain veneers on my upper 6 front teeth. Although I had 4 or 5 discussions with my dentist before I got the veneers, they are too short. My smile looks gummy. I was hoping that the veneers would lengthen the look of my teeth, but they don’t. My dentist says they look fine and he did the best he could with my little teeth. Isn’t that rude? I’m beginning to think that porcelain veneers weren’t the right choice and maybe something else would have looked better. Did I agree to the wrong thing? Kasside

Kasside – Your dentist’s comments weren’t appropriate. It sounds like the real issue is not your agreement to receive porcelain veneers, as much as it is the dentist who placed them. It seems that your dentist has little or no training in cosmetic dentistry.

Porcelain veneers can change the shape of your natural teeth and lengthen them. There are other ways to lengthen the appearance of your teeth, but it’s not clear if you were presented with your options.

Gum recontouring – A laser is used to remove excess gum tissue, which lengthens your teeth.
Dental bonding – An expert cosmetic dentists knows how to mix dental bonding to match the color and translucence of your natural teeth. Teeth can be lengthened and made to look completely natural.

Before you received porcelain veneers, an expert cosmetic dentist would have ensured that your teeth were symmetrical. Unfortunately, to achieve the smile you want, your current veneers will need to be removed and replaced.

Speak with your dentist and ask if he is willing to correct his work and give you a smile that you’re happy with. It might be in your best interests to get a second opinion from an accredited cosmetic dentist who will have the education and talent to produce great results. Your current dentist might be willing to compensate you in some way if you want the work done elsewhere.

This post is sponsored by Chatham, NJ accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

February 14, 2017 by

My porcelain veneers are way too white and this is a repeat issue I’m having with my dentist. Would you please give me some insight on this issue?

I have 8 porcelain veneers on my top teeth. When my dentist and I discussed the color, I was repeatedly showed shades that were too white. She finally agreed to give me the shade I agreed to. To my surprise when I tried the veneers in they were not the shade I picked. The dentist had them sent back for a shade that wasn’t startling white.

The second set came back 5 weeks ago and I thought I was getting a try-in but my dentist actually bonded them to my teeth. Needless to say I was furious when she showed me the veneers and after I told her they are still too white, she told me it was the shade I asked for, she had already bonded them on, and I’m all set.

2 weeks ago, the bottom half of one of the incisor veneers broke. My dentist said she will replace it with a 3 year guarantee. I am wondering why there is only a 3 year guarantee on the veneer. Shouldn’t it last 15 to 20 years? I am pretty frustrated and nervous about what will happen when I go back to the office to have the veneer replaced. It probably won’t match the other ones. Is this experience typical? Did I get a defective batch of veneers or maybe someone selected the wrong color?

My frustration is increasing by the day. What do you advise me to do? Thank you. Marielle

Marielle,
Your increasing frustration is understandable. It sounds as if you’re saying that your dentist bonded your second set of porcelain veneers without your approval. If that’s the case, your dentist is liable for malpractice. Dental or medical treatment cannot be legally performed without the patient’s consent.

A conscientious cosmetic dentist will never bond veneers without having the patient’s approval first. The fact that this was your second set of veneers, and they were bonded without your consent, suggests that your dentist didn’t care whether you liked your veneers or not.

When a veneer breaks soon after placement, it’s a sign of faulty bonding technique. Veneers get their strength from the bonding process.

Your misfortune with your porcelain veneers is getting increasingly complex. We recommend that you visit at least two accredited cosmetic dentists for a second opinion. Your teeth and veneers should be examined, and the findings should be documented.

Ask the dentist who originally placed your veneers to give you a refund. Your veneers need to be redone, and the dentist who is responsible is obligated to return your money so you can get a correctly designed smile. You can also consider consulting with a consumer protection attorney for advised on how to get compensated. The problem can also be reported to the dental board.

We wish you a prompt and smooth resolution of this issue.

This post is sponsored by Bedminster, NJ accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.