Tag Archives: cosmetic dentist

Cosmetic Dentistry

What Can I Do If a Tooth Post Broke Beneath My Dental Bridge?

A post in one of my teeth broke, but the tooth is a lateral incisor and part of a dental bridge. I had a root canal on the tooth three years ago, and my dentist added the post because the tooth was broken. Now that the post has broken at the gumline, will I need a new post and a bridge? Or can my dentist take the bridge off, replace the post, and put the bridge back? – Thanks. Stefan from San Bernardino.

Stefan,

Dr. Lacy would need to examine your tooth and take X-rays for an accurate diagnosis and treatment. However, we have a few observations.

Our first concern is whether a new post in your tooth would work or if it would also break. A post broken at the gumline limits a dentist’s techniques to grab and remove it. Sometimes, an ultrasonic scaler can loosen the cement around the post so the dentist can remove it. However, when a post breaks at the gumline, a dentist may have to drill away tooth structure to retrieve it.

A lateral incisor is a small tooth; drilling it will further weaken it. The risk of losing a second post increases. Your dentist must remove the crown from the bridge to access the post. It would be easier to remove the entire bridge, access the tooth and post, and replace the bridge. This highlights one disadvantage of a dental bridge versus a dental implant: A dentist must replace the entire bridge if a problem occurs with a tooth in the bridge.

You cannot expect a new post to last longer than the old one on a weak incisor that will absorb lateral stress when you chew. The post will weaken and break if you have a heavy biting force.

We recommend consulting a cosmetic dentist for an exam and X-rays. The dentist can determine whether you can benefit from a dental implant for the missing tooth and the tooth with the broken post or if a new post and bridge will last.

Dr. Miranda Lacy, a Plano, Texas dentist, sponsors this post.

Teeth whitening

Why Aren’t Teeth Whitening Strips Working for My Tetracycline Stains?

Hi. Why aren’t whitening strips working for tetracycline stains on my teeth? I have been using teeth whitening strips for 6 months, and they have done nothing for my teeth. I have tetracycline stains on my teeth, so I expected it would take a little longer, but the strips have made no difference. Does it matter which brand I use, or must I buy whitening from a dentist? I feel like I’ve wasted so much time and money without improvement. Thanks. Kyndal

Kyndal– Tetracycline stains are intrinsic to the teeth and are very difficult, and sometimes impossible, to remove. Over-the-counter whitening strips won’t budge the stains.

Even professional teeth whitening from a dentist will result in limited improvement—if any–for tetracycline stains. However, a skilled cosmetic dentist can use porcelain veneers to hide the stains without making your teeth look pasty or opaque. Veneers are custom-crafted porcelain shells that fit over the fronts of your teeth. Veneers restore the teeth that show when you smile, but they are unsuitable for back teeth.

A cosmetic dentist can manipulate the porcelain to hide tetracycline stains, making the veneers look completely natural. The dentist will bond the veneers to your teeth for a solution lasting eight to ten years—even longer.

Schedule consultations with at least two cosmetic dentists to discuss your options for concealing the stains in your teeth.

Dr. Miranda Lacy, a Plano, Texas dentist, sponsors this post.

Affordable Dentistry

Why Does the Cost of Porcelain Veneers Vary So Much?

I don’t understand why the cost of porcelain veneers varies so much. I did my homework and had consultations with dentists for 8 porcelain veneers. One dentist quoted $1200 for each porcelain veneer, and another quoted $3000. Why the vast difference? I also saw a more affordable dental special for $800. How do I know which one to go with? Thanks, Becky

Becky,

Thank you for contacting Dr. Lacy’s office.

Why Does the Cost of Porcelain Veneers Vary?

The cost of porcelain veneers varies for several reasons, including the following:

Photo of a single porcelain veneers, from affordable Plano TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.
Choose quality porcelain veneers
  • Where you live in the country – As the cost of living varies in different states and cities, so does the cost of goods and services, including dental fees.
  • Type of porcelain veneers – The porcelain veneer type and quality a dentist uses can affect the cost. High-quality veneers last 20 years or more if you and a skilled cosmetic dentist maintain them well. No-prep veneers may cost less than veneers with a custom fit and color that a master ceramist crafts.
  • The dentist’s skill and experience – A cosmetic dentist with advanced training and skills will have higher fees than a dentist with little experience. The costs will be higher if the dentist uses a laboratory specializing in beautiful, customized porcelain veneers instead of a discount laboratory. But the results will be superior to discount veneers.

A comparable illustration is a new car. The cost depends on your budget and the features you want. You can get an economy car, a mid-range car, or a luxury car. Your location, budget, wants, needs, and the manufacturer determine the cost of the vehicle.

How Can You Choose a Dentist for Porcelain Veneers?

A reasonably fair way to compare the cost of veneers is to compare dentists with similar skills and experience, who practice in the same state, and who provide the same types of veneers. Ask to see patients’ before-and-after cases of veneers. Even then, you must carefully research the results you can expect.

Many dentists offer affordable financing or payment plans to help you pay for quality care.

Sedation Dentistry

How Often Do Porcelain Veneers Fall Off?

For the past two years, I’ve been talking with my dentist about the possibility of getting porcelain veneers. I finally decided to move forward with my plans, so I had a long discussion with my dentist last week. One of my questions was about how long veneers last and if they ever need to be replaced. My dentist said that I could plan on returning to the office every three to four months because veneers fall off, and she will bond them back on. She said if I am careful about not eating crunchy foods, my veneers should last longer. I researched online over the weekend and didn’t see anything about veneers consistently popping off unless the dentist did something wrong.

My dentist’s estimate of how long veneers last is making me nervous. I already have a little dental anxiety. Sometimes I need nitrous oxide, but if I return to her office every few months because veneers pop off, I’ll end up a nitrous junkie. How frequently do veneers pop off? Thanks, Audriana

Audriana,

Shame on your dentist for telling you to expect your new veneers to pop off every few months.

It seems that your dentist is speaking from experience, which can mean several things:

  • Your dentist uses cheap veneers
  • She prepares teeth so aggressively that veneers won’t stay on
  • Bonding techniques are not in your dentist’s skill set

The dental profession has a principle—the standard of care. Although cosmetic dentistry isn’t a recognized specialty, porcelain veneers must stay on—even if they look bad.

How Often Do Porcelain Veneers Fall Off?

Photo of a single porcelain veneers, from affordable Plano TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.
True cosmetic dentists prepare teeth conservatively and bond porcelain veneers so well they don’t come off

Veneers should never fall off, and they should last at least ten years. Your dentist’s prediction about porcelain veneers’ longevity is a warning to find a cosmetic dentist who is skilled with veneers.

And you can eat whatever you want with veneers. But don’t use your veneers—or even your natural teeth—to bite pins, bottle caps, or other hard objects.

We encourage you to search online for cosmetic dentists, look at their patient reviews or smile gallery, and choose two dentists for a consultation. Ask about each dentist’s processes and how long you can expect your veneers to last. Get ready to switch to a new dentist for veneers. And you won’t have to worry about repeat appointments and needing sedation to get through them.

Plano, TX female dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy sponsors this post.