What happens if I don’t like my porcelain veneers after I get them?

I am considering porcelain veneers. It is their permanency that is making me nervous, though. They are bonded to my teeth. What if I don’t like them? I visited one dentist who showed me digital before and after pictures of myself, but what if the real thing looks bad? What options will I have? How difficult will it be to go back to my natural teeth?– Jules

Jules – When a cosmetic dentist places your porcelain veneers, you will have plenty of input and opportunities to say what you do or don’t like about your smile makeover.

You should have access to the dentist’s smile gallery of patients for whom he or she has placed veneers. Digital images of yourself may also be provided. A wax model of your veneers will also be made. If it is not automatically offered, you can request a try-in model, made of dental composite. The try-in model will give you a precise idea of how the finished product will look and feel.

Dr. Hurley encourages her porcelain veneers patients to let her know if they have any hesitation about the look of the porcelain veneers. If there are any concerns, the veneers will be adjusted or completely remade until you are thrilled with the look of your new smile.

We cannot stress enough the importance of finding an accredited, skilled cosmetic dentist to complete your smile makeover. The results will be long-lasting and amazing. Otherwise, you can end up with veneers that you don’t like. After veneers are bonded to your teeth, the only way to improve your smile is to have the current veneers removed and replaced with new ones.

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

 

I can’t taste food like I used to. Are my porcelain veneers doing it?

I just can’t taste food like I used to. The taste seems to either be faint or not there at all. Sometimes I don’t know that my taste is faint or gone until I start eating. It can last a few minutes to several hours. I don’t have sinus problems that I know of. One thing that I did notice though is that the problem started shortly after I got porcelain veneers. I am wondering if there is something about the porcelain in my mouth or the process of getting them that could have triggered my loss of taste. Is this a known problem with people who get porcelain veneers? If so why didn’t the dentist tell me about it first? This is something that would have made me think twice about getting veneers. Thanks. Danielle.

Danielle – Porcelain veneers are not related to loss or impaired taste. Although you started having problems with your sense of taste after you received veneers, the problem is related to other causes.

What causes loss of, or impaired, taste?

Some of the causes are listed below.

  • Ear infections and upper respiratory infections
  • Certain prescription medications or chemicals
  • Sinus and allergy issues
  • Hormonal disturbances
  • Radiation therapy of the head or neck
  • Trauma to your head
  • Poor oral hygiene
  • Genetics
  • Smoking
  • Age – many senior citizens experience loss of taste as they age (60+).

What should be done about impaired or lost taste?

You can get help from your medical doctor and a specialist to determine what is causing your taste to be impaired. An otolaryngologist (ENT) specializes in disorders of the ear, nose, and throat. A dentist can order tests that can help determine the cause of the issue. Your medical doctor and dentist can refer you to the right specialists to help you receive an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment. Of course, the treatment recommendations, will depend on the cause of the issue.

When you lose your taste, it can cause you to eat too much or too little. You can also use too much salt or sugar on your food, which can lead to health problems, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Your overall health can be affected, so it’s important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible.

This post is sponsored by Bedminster, NJ dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley. Find out why Dr. Hurley has been voted a top NJ dentist since 2005!

 

Will porcelain veneers help teeth that are brown from medication?

Two years ago I was hospitalized for 5 weeks for an infection that at the time was unidentifiable. I received heavy doses of antibiotic intravenously. During the time I was on the antibiotics I noticed my teeth turning brown. I was told that tooth discoloration is a known side effect of the drug. Although my teeth have lightened a bit over the 2 years that have passed, they are still noticeably brown. Can porcelain veneers help my brown teeth at all or will the brown show through? – Wilda

Wilda – Your teeth need to be examined first, but it is likely that a skilled cosmetic dentist can provide you with porcelain veneers that will conceal the stains, but still look beautifully natural.

We emphasize that you should find a skilled cosmetic dentist because it can be complex to have porcelain manipulated in a way that keeps it translucent while hiding brown stains. If you do not know anyone from whom you can receive a recommendation for a cosmetic dentist, you can do an online search.

Look for an accredited cosmetic dentist, review his or her smile gallery on the website, and contact the office to schedule a consultation. Choose two or three dentists with whom you can schedule a consultation for porcelain veneers. Be prepared to ask questions, and compare the options, costs, and treatment completion times you are given.

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

 

Can my porcelain veneers be shortened?

I got veneers 2 months ago and after many discussions with my dentist, I reluctantly decided not to get them shortened. Now I regret not getting them shorter. Is it too late to have them shortened? – Naveah

Naveah – It is possible that porcelain veneers can be shortened, but it a skilled cosmetic dentist must make the determination.

If an adjustment can be made, it will likely be less than 1mm. If you received veneers because your natural teeth are too short, perhaps a little more of the veneer can be reduced. You can determine if the amount that can be reduced will be noticeable enough for you.

Shortening the veneers too much can make them weak and susceptible to fracture, or change their shape. It is very important that only an experienced cosmetic dentist examines the veneers and makes the determination if they can be shortened, and how much they can be shortened. A skilled cosmetic dentist should also perform the reduction.

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

How old do you have to be to get porcelain veneers?

I just turned 16. After 2 years of wearing braces, I still hate my teeth. I give up. How old do I have to be to get porcelain veneers? - Jazlyn C.

Jazlyn - You can receive veneers as a teenager, but most dentists will probably advise you to wait until your jawbone growth is complete. If you receive veneers before the growth is complete, they will begin to recede at your gumline, and it will be quite noticeable. At that point, you will probably want the veneers replaced.

A single veneer can cost almost $1000—or more, depending on where you live in the country and the skill of the dentist doing the work. Eight veneers are required to cover the upper teeth that show when you smile. So you have to consider if you really want veneers at this point, when you may need to replace them in a few years.

We recommend that you visit a skilled cosmetic dentist. Let the dentist know what you don’t like about your smile. Is it the shape, color, or some other feature? It may be that teeth whitening and/or teeth contouring (reshaping) are all that is needed to enhance your smile. A cosmetic dentist will listen to your goals for your smile, let you know your options, and let you know the right time to do it, based on when your jawbone and teeth are sufficiently developed.

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

What’s the fastest way to get my teeth straight for my wedding?

I just got engaged last weekend. I wasn’t expecting it so soon, but I am very happy. I am regretting that I didn’t get Invisalign before now. I have several front teeth that are crooked and now I am in a rush to get them straightened out before December. I want a beautiful smile for my wedding pictures. We were thinking about engagement pictures, but I don’t want to send out photos of my crooked teeth. Is that enough time for my teeth to be aligned before the wedding? - Dana

Dana - Congratulations on your engagement! You need to receive an examination to find out how much time it would take to straighten your teeth with Invisalign.

No doubt with less than nine months to go, you will be busy with planning and preparation for your wedding. Find an accredited cosmetic dentist for your examination. One option to align your teeth is porcelain veneers. They can give you a quick, natural-looking smile makeover in just a few weeks.

A cosmetic dentist will be able to tell you which teeth need veneers. The veneers are bonded to the front of your natural teeth to make them appear straight. A cosmetic dentist can perfectly adapt the veneers to match the characteristics, color, and translucency of your natural teeth. If you have a budget for your smile makeover, speak with the dentist about financing and payment plans.

You will be amazed at the results, and your smile will be ready for lots of pictures!

This post is sponsored by New Jersey cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

 

Can’t afford porcelain veneers and need alternatives

I want 8 porcelain veneers but I know that I can’t get them because they cost too much. I hate the way my teeth look. What are my alternatives? - Danette

Danette - Your alternatives depend on what corrections need to be made to your teeth. If your teeth are misaligned or have spaces between them, braces or Invisalign will correct them, and those treatments may be less expensive than porcelain veneers. It is possible that contouring or reshaping your teeth will enhance your smile.

Some people consider porcelain veneers because they want whiter teeth, but depending on the cause of the stains in your teeth, professional teeth whitening from a dentist will brighten them.

Have consultations with a few cosmetic dentists to discuss your options. If porcelain veneers are required to correct your teeth, you will be able to find a dentist who makes them affordable for you. Payment plans or financing can help you get the smile you want without breaking your budget.

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

Porcelain veneers hurt and I want them off!

I got porcelain veneers 3 weeks ago and they are killing me. Eight veneers and my teeth are hurting really bad. I have been taking ibuprofen every day since I got them. I know it’s no good for my stomach. Yes, I have called my dentist several times and visited the office complaining about the pain. He keeps telling me to be patient and the pain will gradually get better. It has not improved at all. Can I get them taken off and just go back to my natural teeth? – Jasmine

Jasmine – Make an appointment with a different dentist. If possible, find an accredited cosmetic dentist to examine your porcelain veneers and teeth.

It is normal to experience some sensitivity in your teeth after you receive porcelain veneers. The enamel of your natural teeth is removed in preparation for the veneers, so sensitivity is expected. But persistent pain that is not diminishing is not common.

Your teeth and veneers need to be examined to determine the cause of the problem and how to alleviate your pain. Once you receive veneers, you can’t return to having your natural teeth exposed. Your teeth have been lightly shaved to support veneers, so some type of cosmetic dentistry will be needed to cover and protect your natural teeth—either veneers or crowns.

Without examining your teeth, we won’t guess as to what is causing your pain, so make an appointment promptly.

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

Remain attractive at any age by improving your smile

In an August 2012 survey conducted for the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 45% of participants said they think that a beautiful smile helps us remain attractive regardless of our age. Eyes came in second at 34%, and body shape, hair, and legs followed distantly—but nothing compared to the value of a smile.

And more than 62% of the participants said they prefer spending money on improving their smile over making improvements to their weight, hair, eyes, or anything else.

So what can you do to improve your smile? One of the most inexpensive treatments is to whiten your teeth. If you want a brighter smile quickly, many dentists offer in-office treatment that will brilliantly whiten your smile in an hour. Take-home treatment is less expensive, and you’ll see results in about two weeks. A dazzling smile gives you a lift and makes you look and feel younger.

If you have teeth that are worn or misaligned, braces aren’t the only way to straighten them. Porcelain veneers—thin wafers of porcelain—can be bonded to the front of your teeth. With help from your cosmetic dentist, you will decide on the shape, size, and color of your new smile.

Cosmetic dentistry offers many options to improve your smile and make you look younger. Visit the online smile galleries of experienced cosmetic dentists and see the difference they can make.

This blog is sponsored by New Jersey cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.