Archive for January, 2010

Visible Layer of Dental Bonding on Tooth

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Thursday, January 28th, 2010

Question:

Dr. Sam, our family dentist talked me into dental bonding to minimize a gap between my front teeth. Now, the gap is still awkward and if you look closely you can see the layer of bonding material on my tooth. I hate it! Can dental bonding be removed?

Answer:

Dental Bonding can easily be replaced. But, now at least you have a better understanding that finding a cosmetic dentist that is highly skilled can produce results that will make you happy rather than “hating it”. Fortunately for you, dental bonding can easily be replaced without damaging your teeth if the dentist works with magnification. It is very important that you go to a “magnification dentist”. With magnification the dentist can remove the bonding without cutting away your natural tooth structure.

You only have one set of teeth so the quality of the care and the minimal amount of tooth lost is very important. The ability of the dentist to match the opacity of your natural tooth structure is critical. It is also very difficult but can be accomplished if the dentist understands his or her bonding material’s characteristics.

Categories : Blog, Dental Bonding
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Cracked and Broken Porcelain Veneers after 6 Months!

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Monday, January 18th, 2010

Question:

Dr. Sam, I’ve had porcelain veneers on my front teeth for 6 months. Last month one of them cracked and had to be replaced. I was a bit shocked that it only lasted for 6 months – but this is not my question. My dentist then replaced the cracked veneer, but the color is different and it seems to be quite a bit thicker than the others. My dentist says this is my imagination and that I should allow some time to get used to it. This sounds wrong to me – what do you think?

Answer:

Without even seeing your teeth the odds greatly favor that you are right. If can be difficult to match the porcelain veneers if the dentist did not write down the shade of the bonding material. Additionally, manufacturers do not keep making the same materials as the word “new” seems to sell products. The dentists can find themselves in a difficult situation, trying to match one tooth to all of the other teeth without the same material available.

The best cosmetic dentists in Los Angeles have a large inventory of different materials and they also have the skills to know which one would be the best. See Josh for a great example of matching only two porcelain veneers to this patient’s natural teeth. It is very difficult to match shade shape and opacity when bonding only two porcelain veneers but it also can done. Josh has had his two porcelain veneers for nearly 8 years and they still match perfectly.

You also mentioned the shape was too thick and you are surely right because the patient has a much better feel inside their mouth and can tell if there are any discrepancies. Considering that one of the porcelain veneers broke in only six months and the dentist could not match the shade nor the shape when trying to replace the veneer, it sounds to me you chose the wrong dentist. Maybe it is time to move up a few levels as you now understand how uncomfortable and irritating bad porcelain veneers can be.

Contact Sam Muslin DDS MAGD, Santa Monica, California at (310) 829-6796

Categories : Botched Cosmetic Dentistry, Porcelain Veneers
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Cheap Porcelain Veneers

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Thursday, January 14th, 2010

Question:

Dr. Sam, a friend suggested that I go to his dentist in Tijuana (Mexico) for my porcelain veneers as it was so much cheaper. Now, three months later, my veneers look yellow. What could cause this?

Answer:

Porcelain veneers will be in your mouth for many years. To search for the cheapest dentist when you will feel it, talk with it, eat with it and smile with it, 24 hours per day seven days per week does not make sense. Why would you look for cheap porcelain veneers when the importance of the quality is so critical? Everyone that sees you knows they were done cheaply. Everyone then associates you with poor quality and fake teeth.

The whole purpose of porcelain veneers is to enhance your image and improve the quality of your presence. Going to a coupon dentist that discounts his or her work only forces the dentist to cut costs and cheapen their technique. There is a huge difference between dental labs and an every bigger difference between the cosmetic skills of the dentists.

Unfortunately, your only choice is to get your yellowing veneers replaced with a higher quality porcelain veneer. Sorry, but it doesn’t sound like “your friend” really understood the consequences of their recommendation. Now you know why you don’t want to go to Mexico for your medical and dental care. The savings are not worth the risks.

I respectfuly sugest that if you need a Los Angeles Cosmetic Dentist, call us on (310) 829-6796

Categories : Porcelain Veneers
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Choosing Ultra-Thin Veneers

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Thursday, January 7th, 2010

Question:

Dr. Sam, I have gone to three different dentists to get advice on the best porcelain veneers. Each dentist has a different story. The one suggested Lumineers, the other suggested Composite Veneers, and the other suggested Empress Veneers. I never knew there were so many types! As this is expensive and painful, I would desperately like to make the right choice. Can you guide me?

Answer:

The skill of the dentist treating the patient is by far the most important choice. A dentist that is unskilled will not provide good care with Lumineers, Empress Veneers or Composite Veneers. There is a wide difference between the artistic and technical skills of the cosmetic dentists. More importantly, the three techniques mentioned, all have positives and negatives.

A Very Important Video Clip

Before chooing a dentis, watch this video about a bad porcelain veneer outcome.  Sama was treated with porcelain veneers and was gracious enough to tell her story about the replacement of her porcelain veneers. Potential porcelain veneer patients have to remember that they will be wearing the porcelain veneers 24 hours a day so there are many characteristics that this patient explains that make a huge difference in how they look, feel and last.

Fake Looking Porcelain Veneers

An average cosmetic dentist will produce fake looking porcelain veneers with any technique so the choices mentioned are not the key issues.

Lumineers, Empress Veneers or Cosmetic Veneers?

One of the techniques mentioned requires a lot of tooth reduction. Most patients should not loose their natural tooth structure unless it is unavoidable. Another of the mentioned techniques turns color too quickly. The veneer does not hold its shade over the years. Another of the techniques has a tendency to be made too bulky, which looks fake. All three of the techniques could look great if the best dentist is chosen but if you pick the best dentist, the dentist should be guiding the patient toward making the right decision. He or she may not pick any of the three you mentioned.

The Best Porcelain Veneer

The best porcelain veneer choice is one that holds it color indefinitely, requires little to no tooth reduction, has a textured surface and natural contours. A great example of the best of the best in porcelain veneers is Melessa. Not a single tooth had to be ground down! Judge for yourself, then call Sam Muslin DDS MAGD for your conultation on (310) 829-6796

Categories : Blog, Lumineers, Porcelain Veneers
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News and Awards

Dr. Sam Muslin received the 2009 "Best Cosmetic Dentist in Los Angeles" award from LAs Best, featured in the Los Angeles TImes.