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Can a CEREC Crown Match My Other Teeth?

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I need to leave town and I don’t have time for a temporary. I’m thinking about getting a CEREC crown, but I’ve been told they won’t match my other teeth. Is it really a choice between matching and convenience?

Corrie T. – Alabama

Corrie,

CEREC crowns can match your other teeth if you have a skilled enough cosmetic dentist. However, the best cosmetic dentists often don’t recommend them on your very front teeth. The reason for that is how they’re milled. CEREC crowns are milled out of a single block of porcelain, which will not give as much variation in the color and translucency of a traditional crown which are milled from a variety of porcelain.

For any other teeth, they’re fine. But, again, it really depends on the skill of the dentist. Look for someone with significant cosmetic training. Whenever you’re getting a procedure done that requires aesthetics, it is well worth your time and money to find a dentist who’s invested time in that training. Ideally, you’ll want a dentist who has reached an accreditation level with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD).

You’ll be much more satisfied with the appearance of your smile.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.

Can I Remove My Porcelain Veneers? They’re a Disaster.

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I have a huge video presentation coming up with a company in Japan. It could make or break the corporation I work for (not to mention my career). I mentioned how nervous and excited I was to my dentist and he suggested I update my smile to boost my confidence. I agreed. He did a full set of porcelain veneers on me. I think it was the biggest mistake of my life. It looks like he just stuck chicklets on my teeth. They’re bulky and an unnatural white. It’s not that they’re too white, it’s more like a uniform white, which isn’t how tooth color works. Now my presentation is even closer. Not only does it look bad, but they’re so bulky I have trouble talking. I’m going to look and sound like an idiot. Can I just get them taken off and go back to my normal teeth?

Allyson A. – Arkansas

Allyson,

I hear these cosmetic dentistry horror stories all the time and they always make me sad. All the time and money invested for something that is a disappointment, and in your case, detrimental. It sounds like your dentist is a caring family dentist, but doesn’t have enough cosmetic training to really do a smile makeover.

My guess is your dentist used Lumineers. They tend to be bulkier, especially when done by an inexperienced cosmetic dentist. In fact, they’re a brand of porcelain veneers often marketed to dentists without a lot of cosmetic skill as being easy to place. While, yes, they are easy to place, as you learned they are not easy to make beautiful.

Unfortunately, you can’t just remove porcelain veneers without replacing them. Your teeth will look unnatural and they are more susceptible to decay.

What you really need is to ask for a refund and then get them re-done by an expert cosmetic dentist. Ideally, you’ll want a dentist who has attained accreditation with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). These are the top cosmetic dentists in the world. You will get a gorgeous smile. That boost in confidence your dentist mentioned will become a reality. In fact, you may not ever want to stop smiling. But, it takes the right dentist. It’s worth it to drive to a nearby city or state if necessary to get an accredited dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.

Why do my porcelain veneers keep coming off?

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I got six porcelain veneers on my upper arch. I think each one of them has fallen off. Some of them more than once. I don’t think I’m doing anything to them. I’ve been very careful. My dentist has been very nice to always bond them back on. He hasn’t even charged me. I feel bad that I have to keep returning, but I’m also frustrated. I have a life that I can’t keep dropping to pop my veneer back on. Can you give me advice on keeping them in?

Elinor B. – Boise, ID

Elinor,

My advice is honestly for you to go to a different dentist. You shouldn’t be the one feeling bad. Your dentist should. He obviously doesn’t have a clue about the bonding procedure. I’m relieved to hear he isn’t charging you for fixing his mistakes. I hope you’re happy with the porcelain veneers themselves and how they make your smile look. If so, just go to a different cosmetic dentist. They should know how to bond them on properly, especially if you go to a dentist who is accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. In fact, I recommend you go to one of them not just to have them bond the veneers back on. First, I want you to have whichever dentist you decide on to look them over in general and make sure they’re OK. If they’re not, he or she can possibly help you get a refund.

It doesn’t sound to me like he knows cosmetic dentistry. My guess is he’s a decent family dentist who tries to dabble in cosmetic dentistry. It doesn’t mean you have to leave your dentist. You could still go to him for general dentistry procedures. For cosmetic procedures, though, it really would be better for you to go to someone accredited.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.

Why would I get porcelain veneers when I could just whiten my teeth much cheaper?

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I told my dentist I wanted a really white smile. He’s been talking up porcelain veneers, but they are so much more expensive than teeth whitening. What would be the perks? I could save loads of money not getting them.

Lisa M. – Houston

Lisa,

I’m afraid your dentist isn’t doing a very good job helping you understand the difference in the procedures. While the porcelain veneers can certainly make your teeth as white as you want, they’re not usually for people who only want to change the color of their teeth.

Porcelain Veneers are more expensive than teeth whitening, because they do way more. They can change not just the color of your teeth, but the shape and size as well. In fact, they can completely remake your smile. You’ll look years younger.

You’ll want to be sure you not only go to a dentist with good technique in cosmetic surgery, but someone who is artistic as well. Your best bet is to get a cosmetic dentist who is AACD accredited (American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry).

This blog is brought to you by Hilton Head Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.

My porcelain veneers don’t match

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I had gotten four porcelain veneers. I liked them, but quickly realized my smile was wider than most and I needed to have at least two more done. I went with four more to be safe. THat did cover my smile, but the new veneers don’t match the old ones. Is there any way I can change their color?

Melissa M. – Missouri

Melissa,

I’m afraid you’ve been treated by a dentist who isn’t very skilled in cosmetic dentistry. A good cosmetic dentist would know that six is generally the minimum to cover a smile, regardless of how wide your smile is. With a wider smile, we will do eight. So, if your smile is really wide, then it is wise to do eight. Combine that with his inability to match the new veneers with the older ones and you can probably see the lack of skill.

To answer your question, unfortunately, there is no way to change the color once they are permanently placed. You’ll have to re-do them. I would go to a dentist accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). They are the highest skilled cosmetic dentists in the country. Be aware, there is a difference between a member of the AACD and someone who is accredited. It is fairly easy for a dentist to become a member. Accreditation is difficult to attain. Any of those dentists can match your porcelain veneers. You’ll likely find they can improve on the original four as well.

I suspect they can be improved, given your assesment of liking them. When they’re done well, you’ll be in love with them.

This blog is brought to you by Hilton Head Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.

CEREC crown for a front tooth

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I need a crown on a front tooth. I like the idea that CEREC crowns are one appointment. Are they attractive enough for a front tooth?

Lacey Q. – California

Lacey,

CEREC crowns and traditional crowns are both fine for front teeth. The problem won’t necessarily come from the type of crown, but with the artistry of the dentist. You want a dentist with an artistic eye and a high degree of technical skill to match, preferably someone who is AACD accredited. Some expert cosmetic dentists don’t like putting a CEREC crown on your very front teeth because on a machine they’re milled from a single block of porcelain and you may not get the subtle varieties you could with a hand-made crown.

What to take away from this is the most important aspect of any kind of aesthetic work in dentistry is the dentist. Find a great dentist and then let him or her suggest the better option for your tooth.

This blog is brought to you by Hilton Head Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.

Why do porcelain veneers fall off?

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I’ve got a set of porcelain veneers. I like how they look. They’re not quite as gorgeous as I’d hoped, but they’re way better than my normal teeth so I should be happy. The one thing that really bothers me is that they keep falling off. My dentist always really nice and puts them back on without charge, but they’ve fallen off three times in almost as many months. What am I doing wrong to them?

Jane B. – Rhode Island

Jane,

You’re not the problem. Your dentist is. I have a couple of things to say about this situation. First, just because your porcelain veneers are “better” than your natural teeth, doesn’t mean they are good enough. You paid for a gorgeous smile and you should be thrilled with it. You’re not thrilled with this one. I suspect that is becuase your dentist is probably a decent family dentist, but not a great cosmetic dentist. It takes more than an understanding of the technical aspects to be a great cosmetic dentist. There is an artistry involved that your dentist doesn’t seem to get.

On top of that, he doesn’t seem to even understand the technical aspects of it. Porcelain veneers should not fall off even one time–let alone three. If they are, that is a clear signal that your dentist does not understand the bonding process. IF you’re happy enough with the veneers, I would go to a different dentist to get them bonded on. If you’re not happy with them and are willing to say so, you could ask your dentist for a refund and then go to a qualified dentist to get your new set. I suggest getting someone who is AACD accredited.

This blog is brought to you by HIlton Head Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.

Which brand of porcelain veneers are the best?

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I’m saving up for a smile makeover and want to really do it right. Can you tell me which brand of porcelain veneers are the best. Price is not an object (at least when I’m done saving).

Taylor M. – Montana

Taylor,

I’m glad you’re trying to do research before you get your smile makeover done. There is a more important question to ask than the brand of porcelain veneers. You’ll want to research your dentist more than your veneers.You could have a brand of veneers that create a gorgeous smile, but if your dentist isn’t artistic, the smile will end up looking dull. There are plenty of cosmetic horror stories about people who spent thousands of dollars to improve their smile only to end up with something so much worse than what they came in with.

You’ll want a dentist who has proven both their technical skill as well as their artistry. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry has a screening process that can help you with that. Dentists who reach accreditation level have demonstrated both knowledge and artistry. To be honest there aren’t many dentists who reach this level. Only about the top 1-3% of denitsts get accredited. HOwever, you can KNOW that you’ll get a gorgeous smile. It will be worth it, even if you have to drive to a nearby city for your treatment.

This blog is brought to you by Hilton Head cosmetic dentist Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.

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