porcelain veneers Archives

Dentist Can’t Match My Crown to My Teeth Because I Whiten

April 14, 2025 by writeradmin

My dentist is trying to get a crown on the tooth next to my front tooth. He can’t get a crown white enough because I whiten my teeth regularly. I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to stop whitening my teeth but I need that tooth fixed. Do you have a recommendation for me?

Laurie

Dear Laurie,

I think I know exactly what is going on here. My guess is that if you get your teeth whitening done by your dentist it is the only cosmetic dental work that he does. He likely is still using the old shade guide. I have an example of one pictured above. Notice that your teeth will be whiter than even the whitest shade on there.

This was the type of guides that all dentists used previous to the exponential growth in popularity and accessibility of teeth whitening. However, once whitening became the norm for most people, that shade guide did not work anymore because now teeth were whiter than the whitest shade. Then, add in the existence of porcelain veneers and you can see where there was a need for an update on these shade guides.

As a result, the shade guide companies went to work and put an addition on the end for the whiter shades. Above you’ll see an example of one of those updated guides. All dentists who do a lot of cosmetic work will have an updated shade guide. The fact that yours does not tells me that he doesn’t do cosmetic work.

My big concern with this is that he is very likely just to pick a shade from the shade guide, even the updated one, and think that is enough. Teeth at the front of your mouth will have more exposure to light. If your dentist just grabs a shade from the guide the tooth won’t look as natural. He’ll need to add a color map for the ceramist to show him or her how to stain the crown properly in a way to make it look naturally and blend in properly with the other teeth.

I recommend you get a refund and then find an expert cosmetic dentist do your porcelain crown.

This blog is brought to you by Auburn Dentists Drs. Murphree and Yount.

Bonding Doesn’t Match and Falls Off

March 31, 2025 by writeradmin

I went to my dentist to have some fluorosis stains treated. He’d said bonding would be the right solution. I was excited by that and went forward with it. Unfortunately, it’s been a bit of a nightmare. First, the color of the bonding does not match the rest of the tooth at all, making it obvious the bonding is there. Even worse they keep falling off. He always has me come back in a couple of days later and he replaces it with a thicker layer, but that hasn’t helped either issue.

Kevin

Dear Kevin,

I’m going to say right off the bat that you are in the hands of the wrong dentist. You need someone with cosmetic training. Your dentist obviously doesn’t have that. As you can see from the image above, when dental bonding is done correctly it will not only stay in (a fairly basic expectation) but will blend in seamlessly with the remainder of the tooth. You should not even be able to tell there was a repair done.

I’m not sure how your dentist thought making it thicker would make it bond better. My suggestion is that you ask for a refund on this procedure and then find a dentist who can do it correctly.

I do want to say a word about your fluorosis staining. If it is just mild staining, then, yes, dental bonding will be an adequate solution. If you have more substantial fluorosis staining over a larger surface area of the tooth, then you will be much better off with porcelain veneers to solve this problem. Like the bonding, you will need an expert cosmetic dentist. Look at Dr. Murphree’s bio to get an idea of what kind of dentist that you want to make your smile beautiful.

This blog is brought to you by Auburn, AL Dentists Drs. Murphree and Yount.

Zirconia or Lumineers?

March 18, 2025 by writeradmin

I’m trying to decide on what type of porcelain veneers to get. I’ve been to two cosmetic dentists. One is suggesting zirconia crowns instead of veneers. The other is suggesting Lumineers which he said are porcelain veneers. I like the idea of porcelain veneers best but I’ve seen some bad reviews of the Lumineers. Should I try something completely different than the two options given to me?

Callie

Dear Callie,

I’m glad you wrote. I actually am going to suggest you change the question a bit. Instead of asking what type of veneer you should get, I’d like you to ask what type of dentist should you look for. Almost all cosmetic dental work is an art form. Like any art form, the artist you choose is way more indicative of the type of results you will get than the materials they use.

For example, let’s say that you were commissioning an oil painting. You gave two artists the same paints, the same type of canvas, and the same subject to paint. One of them is a gifted artist with years of training and experience under their belt. The other dabbles. I’m sure you’d expect the results to be vastly different. The same will be true with your porcelain veneers.

The best cosmetic dentists will have extensive post doctoral training in cosmetic dentistry. I would also take the additional precaution of looking at their smile gallery to see the type of results they produce. If they don’t have a smile gallery, don’t bother with that dentist. If they were serious about cosmetic work, they’d have a smile gallery.

All of that being said, I’m not impressed with either suggestion that the two different dentists gave you. If a dentist suggests dental crowns when your teeth are healthy, that is a big red flag. It usually means that they are not comfortable with porcelain veneers and are pointing you toward a procedure they do know how to do rather than sending you somewhere else. I don’t like this because they’re having you remove extra healthy tooth structure rather lose business. Second, even if dental crowns were the right solution, zirconia would not be. These are milled from single blocks of zirconia, which is fine for back teeth, but would make your front teeth look obviously fake.

Lumineers, while they are a brand of porcelain veneers, are highly marketed to inexperienced cosmetic dentists as being easy to place because they don’t require any tooth preparation. While some smiles can get away with this, for most smiles they will look bulky. Plus, the Lumineers company requires dentists to use their lab, which is not known for producing artistic results.

I would focus on looking for a great cosmetic dentist and let them pick the brand. They’ll ask you questions about the type of smile you are wanting and will know which brands will be the right one for that smile.

This blog is brought to you by Auburn, AL Dentists Drs. Murphree and Yount.

Porcelain Veneer Fell Off

December 31, 2024 by writeradmin

I had some porcelain veneers placed on my teeth. I really like them and how they make my smile look. A front one split lengthwise and fell off. I salvaged the pieces and called my dentist. They did temporarily glue it back on. It feels weird and to me it is obvious that something is off about my smile. I have to wait a week before they’ll even get me the temporary veneer. I argued feeling that it is a dental emergency. My dentist said it’s just cosmetic. Is this the typical attitude. Also, should I replace it with another veneer or is a crown better after they fall off?

Belinda

Dear Belinda,

Whether a dental office would consider it a dental emergency depends on the practice. Some dentists do more cosmetic work than others. Those who do more would tend to prioritize this as an esthetic emergency.

My suggestion is that you replace it with another porcelain veneer. If he does a porcelain crown will require your dentist to grind down healthy tooth structure. It is very feasible to re-bond a veneer. However, your dentist will need to have a good understanding of bonding chemistry.

It is preferable to remove all of the old bonding material so that there is a clean surface to work with. But, that won’t be completely necessary so long as your dentist knows how to properly treat the surface.

If you are concerned that your dentist will take too long or that he does not have the skill to do this, you don’t have to have it done by the same dentist. Your dentist is under an ethical obligation to share all his treatment notes with any dentist you choose. Even if he doesn’t, if you go to an expert cosmetic dentist they can match the new veneer perfectly. Look at Dr. Murphree’s bio in order to get an idea of what to look for in an expert cosmetic dentist in your area.

This blog is brought to you by Auburn, AL Dentists Drs. Murphree and Yount.

Are There Porcelain Veneer Emergencies?

October 31, 2024 by writeradmin

My daughter had porcelain veneers done before leaving for college. About a month ago she fell and chipped one of them. We went to see her dentist while she was home for a quick break. That dentist “fixed it” by trimming down both teeth to the same size. Now the teeth have a blue tinge to them. Did she do something the damage the teeth? Are the veneers in danger of falling off?

Pamela

Dear Pamela,

You didn’t say where the color change is. However, It sounds like the bonding between the tooth and the veneer is failing. While it is possible that it will fall off, unless she has an expert cosmetic dentist nearby that can replace the porcelain veneers, she is better off allowing the veneers to fall off on their own.

I don’t think the dentist did anything by trimming them. The problem was probably there from the beginning and is just now showing up. The bluish color is from things getting caught between the tooth and the veneer.

When it falls off, most dentists would not consider it a dental emergency. That being said, a true cosmetic dentist does understand the urgency of an aesthetic emergency.

So, how will she find one of those dentists? She will want someone who has had both post-doctoral training and a track record of artistry in creating beautiful smiles. Take a look at Dr. Murphree’s bio to get an idea of what you are looking for.

This blog is brought to you by Auburn, AL Dentists Drs. Murphree and Yount.

What If Your Bonding Looks Terrible?

May 15, 2024 by writeradmin

My daughter fell and ended up taking out a chunk of her two front teeth. Her pediatric dentist suggested we use dental bonding to do the repair. We trusted him and went forward with it. However, it looks absolutely terrible. The bonding is uneven, lumpy, and the color doesn’t match the rest of her teeth. She’s eleven years old and still has a week left in school and is too embarrassed to go. Was this the wrong treatment? Is there any way to fix it?

Stacey

Dear Stacey,

I am sorry this happened to your daughter. That is such a difficult age where they are already insecure about how they feel. While your daughter’s dentist was correct about the type of procedure you would use to fix this, he apparently does not have the skills to pull it off. That does not surprise me. Dental bonding is an advanced cosmetic procedure that has to be done freehand. Additionally, it requires a lot of post-doctoral training. Most pediatric dentists do not invest in cosmetic training, especially after all the extra training they’ve invested in for pediatric care.

The only way to fix this would be for the procedure to be completely redone. I would not expect your daughter’s dentist to be able to do any better the second time. Instead, I would simply ask for a refund and have it redone elsewhere.

At your daughter’s age, you would not need to see a pediatric dentist. Look for a dentist who has advanced training in cosmetic dentistry. Another thing you can do is look at their smile gallery to see what type of results they get. Bonding will last a few years and then need to be redone. Once she is older and everything is fully developed, you may want to switch her to porcelain veneers. These will last much longer than the bonding, but her oral development needs to be completed first.

This blog is brought to you by Auburn, AL Dentists Drs. Murphree and Yount.

Fixing Enamel Hypoplasia

November 15, 2023 by writeradmin

I have enamel hypoplasia, which has led to me becoming uncomfortable in social situations. I recently heard there are cosmetic solutions for this. Do you have any recommendations for me?

Dudley

Dear Dudley,

I’m glad you wrote. I am going to start by explaining what enamel hypoplasia is for those who may be reading but are not aware of this condition. This is a physical defect where tooth enamel is not completely formed. It can happen because of a genetic condition or because of serious illness that occurs during the same time the teeth are still forming. Teeth are generally forming between birth to twelve years of age.

Now for the solution. The treatment you get will depend on the severity of the hypoplasia. In the image above, I’ve shown both mild and severe hypoplasia. With mild hypoplasia, you can have dental bonding done in order to even out the color on the teeth. If you want your teeth whiter, you will need to have teeth whitening done. Just make sure you have the teeth whitening done before you have the dental bonding done. This is because the whitening will not affect your bonding. So, get your teeth the color you want them and then your cosmetic dentist can match the bonding to that color.

If you have more severe hypoplasia, then dental bonding will not be a good solution for you. In that case, you would need to have porcelain veneers done. These are tiny wafers of porcelain that will completely cover the fronts of your teeth as well as hug the sides. These can do more than cover the stains. They can change just about anything about your teeth, including the shape, size, and color. This is the Hollywood type of smile makeover you see celebrities get.

This blog is brought to you by Auburn, AL Dentist Dr. Alan D. Yount.

The Danger of Yelp! for Smile Makeovers

October 18, 2023 by writeradmin

I am working on my smile makeover. I am thinking of the BL2 or BL3 color. I’m almost 60 with medium blond hair, blue eyes, and a fair skin tone. I don’t want an over-white smile because of my age. I’ve going with dental bonding because it is less expensive than the porcelain veneers. I’ve looked on Yelp! and have picked the dentist they listed as number one for cosmetic dentists. Quick question, though. Should I have him start with the canines so I can see that I’m getting the right color?

Beverly

Dear Beverly,

I am very glad you wrote. I think I can save you from a disaster here. Let’s start with the choice of your cosmetic dentist. While I use Yelp! myself, you have to be careful which services you use it for. For example, it is a fine way to find a good plumber or hair dresser. However, if you are looking at cosmetic work, you have to be more careful. The reason for that is Yelp! does not distinguish between what the ratings are for. A dentist could be getting lots of five stars for being friendly when patients receive their dental cleanings. Yet, he may have no training in cosmetic dentistry.

As an example, I went to Yelp!, picked a random city, and asked for the best cosmetic dentist in that city. I went to the websites of the top five results. The first did not show any links for cosmetic work, not even teeth whitening, which tells me he doesn’t do any cosmetic work. The second through fifth did have cosmetic work on their site, but only two of them had a smile gallery. If a “cosmetic dentist” does not have a smile gallery, that tells me they have zero results that they are proud to display. Any serious cosmetic dentist will have a smile gallery. Of the two that did have a smile gallery, only one of those had any post-doctoral training in cosmetic dentistry.

In order to find the best cosmetic dentist, the first thing you’ll need to do is really make certain the dentist you have in mind has post-doctoral training, but also that their smile gallery shows they achieve beautiful results. If you get a skilled cosmetic dentist, they can help you with the color issue, as well as many other considerations, such as shape and size that will need to be addressed.

As for the choice of dental bonding, I think you may want to reconsider and go for the porcelain veneers. When well cared for the porcelain veneers will last your lifetime. Dental bonding will only give you a few years before you have to replace them. Plus, dental bonding is done free hand, which means there is no testing out the results.

With porcelain veneers, they can place them with a temporary try-in paste. This allows you to look at the comlpleted results and make certain that you really love them before they are permanently bonded on.

This blog is brought to you by Auburn, Al Dentists Drs. Alan Yount and Steve Murphree.

Can Supersmile Remove Stains on Dental Bonding?

September 15, 2023 by writeradmin

I have dental bonding and they are beginning to stain. I know they don’t last as long as porcelain veneers, but I thought they would last longer than six and a half months. Will Supersmile toothpaste help them to whiten up again?

Paula

Dear Paula,

Whether or not Supersmile can help in your situation will depend on a few things. The first is whether the stains are internal or external. Nothing works on internal stains except for professional teeth whitening. Even then, it will only work on natural tooth structure and not on cosmetic work, such as your dental bonding.

If the stains are external, Supersmile could be a great option for you as long as the bonding still has its polish on it. Supersmile is one of the best things you can use for your teeth, especially when you have dental work. Most over-the-counter toothpastes are too abrasive. Supersmile works differently. It uses an enzyme known as Calprox that breaks down the protein pellicle. The stains bind to this pellicle and are removed safely.

If your dental bonding has lost its polish, then nothing will help except replacing the dental bonding. The timing of your staining makes me a bit suspicious. Is it possible you recently went in for a check up and cleaning? If so, did the hygienist use anything like a power prophy jet or acidulated fluoride? If so, that would have taken the polish right off of them.

Your question also makes me wonder about the surface area of your treatment. Dental bonding is better for smaller areas, such as a gap or chip in a tooth. If you are talking about the entire front of the tooth, you are much better off with porcelain veneers. They last years longer and are much more stain resistant. In fact, they are even more stain resistant that your natural teeth.

This blog is brought to you by Auburn, AL Dentist Dr. Alan Yount.