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Dr. Thomas

Archives for June 2023

Why Are My New Dental Crowns Changing Color?

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I asked my dentist for six BL1 shade crowns to replace the old ones on my upper front teeth, but she ignored my request. My dentist thinks the shade is too bright. When she put the temporary crowns on in February, I was shocked. Thinking back, I should have asked her to return the crowns for the requested shade. I could have switched dentists if she were unwilling to do that. Unfortunately, I accepted the crowns, and now they are yellowing.

Additionally, my dentist recommended a new implant crown to match the Bl1 shade, and I agreed because I got the implant crown in 2015, but it is not the BL1 shade, nor does it match the other new crowns. I don’t know how this happened. I’ve talked to my dentist twice about the yellowing, and she talks so fast that I cannot repeat her explanation, which doesn’t make sense anyway. I am anxious about starting over because my nerves are already on edge about finding another dentist. Should I start over with another dentist or try to reason with this dentist? – Thank you. Adrielle

 

Adrielle,

The shade BL1 is extraordinarily white. Unless you bleached your natural teeth to that shade, placing BL1 crowns would make them look fake. A cosmetic dentist will help you understand tooth shade and how brightness will affect your smile and blend or clash with your skin tone, but your preference comes first. No dentist should switch crown colors after agreeing to your color choice.

Why Would Porcelain Crowns Turn Yellow?

Factors that can cause porcelain crowns to turn yellow include:

  • The crowns are made of another material – You may have received not porcelain crowns because porcelain does not stain or turn yellow.
  • The glaze on your crowns is damaged – Glaze on a crown is a low-fusing glass liquid/paste that makes the crown smooth and shiny. Damaged glaze can cause discoloration in your crowns. If someone on a dental team lacks training in handling porcelain restorations, they can mistakenly use acidulated fluoride or power polishing equipment on your crowns. The chemical and polishing equipment can damage the glaze and attract stains.
Woman lying in a field of daisies portraying the relaxing effects of dental sedation

Dental sedation can relax you throughout the entire visit

We recommend scheduling an appointment for a second opinion from an expert cosmetic dentist. The dentist will examine your crowns to determine why they are yellowing. Also, an experienced cosmetic dentist can achieve a BL1 shade with your natural teeth, crowns, and implant crown for the brightness you want to see in your smile. Although a consultation with a skilled dentist can be reassuring, if you’re still nervous talk with your new dentist about sedation options for relaxing during dental treatment.

Sugar Land implant and cosmetic dentist Dr. Siny Thomas sponsors this post. Read how he strives to give patients high-quality dental care.

Will I Need a Sinus Lift Before Dental Implants?

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Will I need a sinus lift before dental implants? I have four top left teeth missing. I have been wearing a partial denture for seven years. The thought of a sinus lift in that delicate area of my mouth is scary. Can I avoid it or get an alternative? Thank you. Samuel

Samuel

Thank you for contacting Hope Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry in Tulsa. You may need a sinus augmentation before getting dental implants, but an implant dentist must evaluate your jawbone health first.

Will You Need a Sinus Lift Before Dental Implants?

Dental implant with crown, abutment, and screw labeled, for information in a sinus lift before getting dental implants

Schedule a consultation to determine if you need a sinus lift before getting a dental implant.

You may need a sinus lift before dental implants if your jawbone has shrunk and your sinuses take up too much space. A dentist must take a 3-D CT scan to determine whether dental implants will affect your sinus cavity.

What Is a Sinus Lift?

A sinus lift, or augmentation, is a procedure that raises the sinus floor when bone shrinkage causes the sinus cavity to enlarge. Bone shrinkage occurs in areas of missing upper back teeth. Sinuses can grow and consume more space with jawbone shrinkage or as we age. The procedure ensures you have enough quality bone to support dental implants.

What Happens During a Sinus Lift?

During a sinus lift, an implant dentist or oral surgeon will complete the following steps:

  • Gently raise the sinus floor
  • Add bone grafting material below the sinus cavity
  • Secure the bone graft
  • Healing time after surgery is four to twelve months. Afterward, you can get a dental implant.

What Material Is Used for Bone Grafting?

An implant dentist or oral surgeon may use your bone, bone from a tissue bank, or synthetic bone. Bone grafting material is regulated for safety and sanitation.

Dental professionals have safely performed sinus lifts for decades. A trained implant dentist or oral surgeon achieves predictable results that increase the long-term success of your dental implants.

We recommend consulting with at least two implant dentists before choosing a provider. The consultations will ensure you understand the procedure and options.

Sugar Land implant and cosmetic dentist Dr. Siny Thomas sponsors this post. Read how he strives to give patients some of the highest quality dental care in Sugar Land.

Should I Be Able to Floss Between My Porcelain Veneers?

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Before I got porcelain veneers in February, I could floss easily. I’m trying to take care of my veneers, but I worry about being unable to floss. Earlier this month, I had my six-month checkup and cleaning. I told my dentist about the flossing issue, but he didn’t seem concerned. I use a water flosser instead, but I’m unsure if it is effective since the veneers are so tight. Should I be able to floss between my veneers? – Thank you. Dinah from NJ

Dinah,

We are concerned that you cannot floss between your veneers, and you should be worried, too. After getting veneers and floss, you effortlessly glide between your teeth without catching or snagging.

What If You Cannot Floss Between Porcelain Veneers?

porcelain veneer being placed on a tooth

Porcelain veneers should not hinder flossing

Plaque buildup can promote gum irritation, inflammation, and disease if you cannot floss between porcelain veneers.

Flossing is a vital part of oral hygiene because it is an effective way to remove plaque. The American Academy of Periodontology confirms that without flossing between your teeth, dental plaque causes inflammation. And advanced gum disease is associated with an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. So, flossing between your porcelain veneers is essential.

Why Can’t You Floss Between Your Porcelain Veneers?

If you cannot floss between your porcelain veneers, your dentist’s bonding technique may be at fault. When bonding veneers on, a skilled cosmetic dentist takes these precautions:

  • Prime each tooth with etching and bonding agents
  • Place bonding composite in each veneer and press the veneer onto each tooth
  • Removes excess composite (bonding material) before hardening it
  • Use an ultra-small light curing tip only on the center of the composite of each tooth
  • Floss between teeth to remove excess composite and ensure surfaces between teeth are smooth
  • Curing remaining composite with a larger curing tip to ensure a solid attachment
  • Use fine polishing strips between teeth to smooth them

We recommend asking your dentist about your concerns. If your dentist does not readily help you, schedule an appointment with an advanced cosmetic dentist concerned about helping you achieve healthy teeth and gums with porcelain veneers.

 

Sugar Land implant and cosmetic dentist Dr. Siny Thomas sponsors this post. Read how he strives to give patients some of the best dental care in Sugar Land.

Ask for Feldspathic Crowns to Replace Porcelain Fused to Metal?

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What kind of porcelain should I ask for to replace the porcelain fused to metal crowns on my front teeth? One tooth is dark from a root canal nine years ago. I read that feldspathic layered porcelain looks natural. Is it strong enough? Is that the right choice for front teeth? My right incisor is a dental implant, so I know that can complicate things, too, with trying to match crowns. Thanks! – Vince

 

Vince,

The cosmetic dentist and lab making your crowns are more important than the material used to make the crowns. Choosing the material first may pressure a dentist to use it, even if they lack advanced cosmetic dentistry training, experience with the material, or artistic talent. A skilled cosmetic dentist knows which ceramics produce natural-looking results while concealing your dark tooth.

What Type of Ceramic Is Right for Front Teeth?

Dental crown for info on dental implant crown

An advanced cosmetic dentist can match your dental implant crown and new crowns

Any all-ceramic option is durable enough for front teeth. Find a cosmetic dentist with artistic talent who understands the variations of ceramics and how to produce beautiful results. They can also match your new crowns with your dental implant crown. The dentist will consider your dental implant crown’s age, quality, and condition before explaining your options.

Ceramics that can conceal a dark tooth and look natural include:

  • Feldspathic porcelain
  • Lithium disilicate layered with feldspathic porcelain, such as e.max crowns
  • Zirconia layered with feldspathic porcelain
  • e.max crowns

Masking Dark Teeth with Dental Crowns

A skilled cosmetic dentist can mask the darkness of the root canal tooth with an opaquer. One approach includes the following steps:

  • Blocking out the tooth’s darkness with dental composite buildup material
  • Placing a crown over the buildup

Or

  • Giving instructions for a dental ceramist to add an opaque layer to the crown

We recommend the following:

  • Schedule consultations with at least two advanced cosmetic dentists to discuss your options for replacing your porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns with natural-looking ceramics.
  • Check the cosmetic dentists’ websites to verify they have post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry.
  • Ask to see patients’ before-and-after photos like yours for ceramic crowns on front teeth.

Sugar Land implant and cosmetic dentist Dr. Siny Thomas sponsors this post.