Top 10 Mistakes Made By Dentists Placing Dental Veneers (Part 1)

Getting dental veneers can be a fun and life-changing experience, but it can also be a nightmare and regrettable experience. Here are the common mistakes made by inexperienced dentists doing dental veneers, and how to avoid them.

With the increasing popularity and demand for smile makeovers, more dentists are now offering cosmetic dentistry services for their clients. Perhaps the most life-changing cosmetic dentistry option available today in NYC are dental veneers. These thin shells of porcelain are placed over the front of teeth to transform discolored and misshapen teeth into beautiful pearly whites. Porcelain veneers are the beauty secret of NYC models and Hollywood actors. Many people credit porcelain veneers for boosting their self-esteem, as well as their success in their career and social relationships. After all, people do still subconsciously judge others based on the appearance of their smile.

Many dentists specialize in porcelain veneers in NYC because it can be a fun and rewarding experience for both the client and dentist alike. However, veneers that are badly done can be extremely traumatic for all parties involved (dentist, assistants, patient, and patient’s family). Any top cosmetic dentist will probably tell you that he or she had to re-do veneers that were done by an inexperienced general dentist.  Dental veneers require a high degree of skill, acumen, and experience. No dentist can learn how to do them from a simple weekend seminar.  Here are some of the most common mistakes dentists lacking training and experience will make when placing dental veneers.

1. The first mistake is failure to address asymmetry in a patient’s gum line. The height and shape of the gum line makes a huge difference in the overall appearance of a person’s smile. Oftentimes, the gum line will be asymmetrical or at an inappropriate height for each individual tooth. Most veneer patients will require either laser gum recontouring or crown lengthening surgery before the veneers are placed. Make sure you find a cosmetic dentist who will address your gum line.

2. Another mistake many dentists make is failing to do a procedure called a “wax-up.” A wax-up is basically a “model” of the veneers that is placed on the patient’s teeth to help both the patient and the dentist to visualize what the actual porcelain veneers will look like. This will help both discover if the proposed plan will cause any speech problems or bite problems (malocclusion). Badly done veneers can make it difficult for a patient to speak clearly or bite down comfortably, but a wax-up can prevent this.

3. The third mistake is failing to work with a good ceramicist. It really does not matter how good the cosmetic dentist is at her job if she uses a low-quality ceramicist. The finished veneer will look dull at best, and like a false tooth at worst. At a cost of approximately $1,000 or more per porcelain veneer in NYC, it is worth it to look for a dentist who uses a high-quality ceramicist.

This article is to be continued in parts 2 and 3.

Top Tips For Teeth Whitening

This article explains what really works and what doesn't for getting an ultra-white, beautiful smile.

Did you know that teeth whitening products are some of the most in-demand dental products on the market today? Indeed, only a few generations ago, people first began to discover the benefits of toothpaste, tooth gels, and mouthwashes for preventing cavities and bad breath. Today, toothpaste and a toothbrush is a given in anybody's bathroom. You would be hard-pressed to find someone today who doesn’t own a toothbrush and toothpaste. For that reason, we're getting fewer cavities and delaying and most major dental health issues until advanced age. Instead of suffering from rotten teeth and periodontal disease, most Americans are more focused on cosmetic issues with their teeth. And what’s the most common cosmetic concern besides crooked teeth? You guessed it. It's tooth discoloration.

What causes teeth to turn yellow, gray, or brown? Why do some people have badly discolored teeth despite having good dental hygiene and no cavities? The most obvious culprits are using tobacco products and drinking soda, tea, and coffee. Green juice and wheatgrass shots can stain teeth a greenish hue, and fruit juice or excessive amounts of fruit can erode enamel and cause teeth to appear grayish. Brushing your teeth immediately after eating sugary foods can also erode tooth enamel. Certain antibiotics such as tetracycline can stain teeth, and some chronic health problems can darken the teeth as well. When a person's teeth aren't white, they can be perceived as being less healthy, and that's because oftentimes darkened teeth are a result of an underlying health issue. Other times, it can simply mean a person has a passion for drinking coffee. Regardless of the cause of discolored teeth, they are quite common.

Many dentists in New York have based their entire dental practice on meeting the cosmetic needs of their client base. While they most definitely offer the basic dental services such as deep cleaning, fillings, root canals, etc., most of their patients are seeking cosmetic enhancement such as teeth whitening. Some in-office tooth whitening procedures include laser teeth whitening and tooth whitening products like Zoom teeth whitening. Other dentists prefer to fit you with custom-made dental trays, and send you home with a tooth whitening kit to use at night over a period of a couple of weeks. These professional tooth whitening kits and in-office procedures can be somewhat pricier than the over-the-counter versions, but they do work better and the effects are long-lasting. A quick Google search can help you find a variety of dentists in NYC who offer professional teeth whitening services and products.

If you would rather do the entire teeth whitening process on your own, be sure to do your research on any over-the-counter product. You can even ask your dentist if there are any products he or she recommends. Some teeth whitening products are abrasive on your enamel and can cause your teeth to become sensitive to hot and cold or even more susceptible to discoloration. Other products simply do not work. One prominent cosmetic dentist in NYC actually offers their own whitening toothpaste called, StarBrite.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Porcelain Veneers (Part 2)

This is part 2 of a question and answer article that explains everything you ever wanted to know about porcelain veneers.

This is part two of a Q & A that explains everything you ever wanted to know about dental veneers in NYC.

Q. What happens after my teeth are prepared for the porcelain veneers?

A. Your cosmetic dentist or dental assistant will make a set of temporary veneers for an acrylic material. The temporary veneers will consist of one piece of material, so you will not be able to floss between each tooth while the temporaries are on. They will be cemented to your teeth using a temporary dental cement. In order to keep your teeth clean while wearing the temporary veneers, you will likely need to use a special instrument such as a hydrofloss. While wearing the temporaries, you will not be able to eat hard foods or meat, and your teeth may be sensitive to hot and cold. This is because the temporary material is not protective and durable like your actual porcelain veneers will be. They are also not stain resistant.

Q. How long will I have to wear the temporary veneers?

A. In most cosmetic dentistry clinics, you will likely have to wait about one to two weeks for your porcelain veneers to come back from the ceramicist. When your custom-made veneers arrive, you will go back to the dentist for the final procedure.

Q. How are the permanent veneers placed onto my teeth?

A. The temporary veneers will be removed and you will be given a local anesthetic so you will not feel pain during the procedure. Your dentist will then likely place the porcelain veneers onto your teeth without any cement at first, just to check for proper fit, defects, and overall appearance before making them permanent. You may want to inspect them as well to make sure that you like the appearance of each tooth. After this final inspection, your dentist will clean your teeth with a solution called acid etch. This solution roughens the surface of your teeth so they will adhere to the dental cement better. This protects you from the possibility of a veneer falling off. The cement will then be applied to the front of your teeth and the back of the veneer.

Q. Will the veneer protect my tooth from sensitivity to hot and cold, as well as decay?

A. Yes. Unlike the temporary veneers, the porcelain veneers in NYC will protect your teeth from decay, as well as sensitivity to hot and cold. You will be able to bite into candy apples and steak as well, because the veneers will be durable. With porcelain veneers, you will brush and floss just as you would without them.

Q. Are porcelain veneers resistant to stains from coffee and soda?

A. Porcelain veneers are stain-resistant, but it will still be important to brush properly after drinking coffee, soda, tea, and other beverages that may stain teeth. This will keep your veneers looking great for years to come.

Everything You Ever Wanted To Know about Porcelain Veneers (Part 1)

This is part 1 of a question and answer article that explains everything you ever wanted to know about porcelain veneers.

Q. What exactly are dental veneers? Where can I get them in NYC?

A.You may have heard the word veneer used before in reference to furniture made from thin slices of wood glued to particleboard. The word veneer is also used to describe thin slices of porcelain that are glued to the teeth with a special kind of dental adhesive. These are usually used for cosmetic purposes, but they also protect the tooth from decay and staining. Once the secret to a beautiful smile known only by movie stars, models, famous singers, and other celebrities, porcelain veneers are rapidly gaining popularity among people who simply want to have a beautiful smile. For dental veneers in NYC, look for an experienced cosmetic dentist who can provide before and after photos of actual patients.

Q. What happens during my first appointment with a cosmetic dentist?

A. Most cosmetic dentists will first conduct a smile analysis to find the defects in your smile that can be improved upon with cosmetic dentistry. Porcelain veneers in NYC can provide a solution to many common problems such as enamel erosion, chipped teeth, decay, discolored teeth, misshapen teeth, and misalignment. If veneers are determined to be the correct solution for you, the dentist will first make impressions of your mouth.

Q. What happens when I get impressions made?

A. There are different methods of making dental impressions. One of the oldest methods is to use a metal tray filled with a flavored kind of “goop,” which is placed into the patient’s mouth for 2 - 5 minutes. When the tray is taken out, the patient’s teeth marks remain in the “goop.” A newer and more accurate method used by state-of-the-art cosmetic dentistry clinics is the digital impression method. Many patients prefer digital impressions because they are made instantly, without the potential for gagging the patient. The impression is then used to create the temporary veneers that the patient will wear while waiting for the permanent porcelain veneers to be made.

Q. How will the veneers match the color of my other teeth?

A. Perhaps one of the most enjoyable steps involved in getting veneers is the step of choosing the most appropriate shade of white. If all of your teeth are going to be covered with veneers, you may want to have a bright “movie star white” smile. However, if you are only having veneers placed on a few teeth, it will be extremely important to match the color of your other teeth as closely as possible. Cosmetic dentists are trained in picking the most appropriate color, so you won’t have to worry about picking the wrong color.

Q. How are my teeth prepared for the veneers?

A. So that your teeth will not end up too thick when the veneer is placed, a small amount of your enamel will be removed to make room for the veneer. The amount of enamel that your dentist will remove depends on what brand of veneer your dentist uses, the current health of your teeth, which teeth will be getting veneers, and the method that your dentist uses to place the veneers.

Q. Does the procedure hurt? How long will it take?

A.A few minutes before your teeth are prepared for the veneers, your dentist will apply a local anesthetic. This way you will be alert and conscious during the procedure, but you will not feel any pain or discomfort. Your teeth will be contoured, and after the surface of the tooth has been removed more impressions will be made. Traditional impressions take about five minutes, and digital impressions are made instantly. These impressions are sent to the ceramicist where your porcelain veneers will be made in NYC.