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Dr. Thomas

How Long After Gum Surgery Should I Wait for Dental Veneers?

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Close-up of a man's smile with a moustache, for information on gum surgery and dental veneers available in Sugar Land from Dr. Siny Thomas.I saw a periodontist last December for the pinhole technique on my gums. The results look fantastic. Now that my gums frame my teeth so nicely, I am getting self-conscious and want my teeth whitened. Also, I am considering porcelain veneers to even my front teeth and correct a slight overlap. Is it too soon to get teeth whitening and veneers, or should I wait a few more months? Thanks. Todd from Utah

Todd,

Thank you for contacting Cornerstone Dentistry in Sugar Land. Although Dr. Thomas would need to examine your teeth and gums before recommending treatment, we will discuss the timing of cosmetic dentistry after gum surgery.

How Long After Gum Surgery Should You Wait for Cosmetic Dentistry?

Depending on the technique and your healing progress, it can take four to eight weeks to see the optimal results of gum graft surgery or Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation®. It is wise to wait for teeth whitening or porcelain veneers for several reasons:

  • Teeth whitening can irritate gum tissue.
  • Your natural teeth will likely need preparation before porcelain veneers.
  • A dentist will ensure porcelain veneers fit your teeth around the contours of your gum tissue.

Also, teeth bleaching and porcelain veneers require optimal oral health. Otherwise, cosmetic dentistry treatment can weaken or irritate your teeth.

Why Should You Get Teeth Whitened Before Porcelain Veneers?

A dentist must complete teeth whitening first and allow the color to stabilize before preparing your teeth for porcelain veneers. Whitening your teeth first will ensure your porcelain veneers match your bright smile.

Request a Cosmetic Dentistry Consultation

If you want to maintain excitement about improving your smile, you can research a few cosmetic dentists and schedule a consultation. Below are suggestions before scheduling consultations.

  • Ask family, friends, or workmates for recommendations on a cosmetic dentist.
  • Search online in your area for cosmetic dentists with post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry.
  • Look for patient reviews on the dentist’s work.
  • Find the dentist’s smile gallery of patient photos with porcelain veneers and teeth whitening.
  • Prepare a list of questions about porcelain veneers and teeth whitening.
  • Explain that you had gum surgery.
  • Ask for an estimate of when you can begin cosmetic dentistry.

 

Sugar Land, Texas, dentist Dr. Siny Thomas of Cornerstone Dentistry sponsors this post. Read about Dr. Thomas’s commitment to giving his patients the best dental care he can.

How Often Do Porcelain Veneers Need to Be Replaced?

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How often do porcelain veneers need to be replaced? Three of my eight veneers are light gray, although I received them in September 2020. They are a little more than a year old. My dentist made the veneers thick because two of my eight teeth were darker than others. I don’t know if that is causing the problem or not. But then I don’t understand why the third veneer is gray too.

I saw my dentist about the problem, and she said she wants to replace one veneer at a time to see if her approach solves that problem. That scares me. I’m not sure if I should let her do the work or switch dentists. It’s been more than a year, and I’ve had two dental cleanings since I got veneers. I would think that my dentist would have noticed the discoloration before I mentioned it to her. What happened? Did I misunderstand how long veneers should last? I was hoping they would last at least ten years. Thank you. Kassidy from Minneapolis

 

Kassidy,

Thank you for your question. Dr. Thomas would need to examine your veneers and teeth to determine the cause of discoloration. But based on your comments, we have some observations.

What Causes Gray Porcelain Veneers?

The cause of gray porcelain veneers depends on the discoloration. Unlike tooth enamel, porcelain is colorfast. So, if they discolor, something went wrong while making or bonding them or during routine maintenance.

  • Uneven graying – Micro-leakage behind your veneers occurs if your dentist does not bond them correctly to your teeth.
  • Even graying – Someone might damage the glazed surface of the veneers, or maybe the lab did not glaze them correctly when they were new.

A skilled cosmetic dentist does not have to make veneers thick to block out the darkness of your natural teeth.

How Often Do Porcelain Veneers Need to Be Replaced?

One porcelain veneer - available from Sugar Land cosmetic dentist Dr. Siny Thomas

Quality porcelain veneers last seven to 20 years

Porcelain veneers need to be replaced an average of every ten to fifteen years. But they often last much longer. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic dentistry, veneers last seven to 20 years. If a dentist bonds them well and you take good care of them, porcelain veneers can last for decades.

What Can You Do About Gray Porcelain Veneers?

If your porcelain veneers are gray, you need to find a highly-trained cosmetic dentist to replace them. Skilled cosmetic dentists work with a quality dental laboratory to hide discoloration in your natural teeth while keeping your veneers bright and translucent.

Look for an accredited cosmetic dentist or one with post-graduate training in aesthetics. Schedule consultations with two dentists and ask to see before-and-after pictures of the dentist’s porcelain veneers patients. It is appropriate to ask your current dentist for a refund or to pay for replacing your veneers.

 

Dr. Siny Thomas, a Sugar Land, Texas cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post. Read about what Dr. Thomas does to give his patients some of the best dental care in Sugar Land.