Archive for Porcelain Veneers

Grey & Dull Porcelain Veneers

Posted by: The Hightech Dentist | Comments Comments Off
Sunday, February 7th, 2010

Question:

Dr. Muslin, my family dentist convinced me that porcelain veneers were the best solution to cover my dark teeth. At first it looked OK but now my porcelain veneers look grey and dull. Do I need to have them whitened or bleached? How can this be fixed?

Answer:

Porcelain Veneers can be made with different thickness. The thickness of the porcelain veneer is the critical component in hiding the color of your teeth. The ability of the porcelain veneer to hide dark tooth color is related to the thickness of the porcelain and the bonding technique of the dentist. Sometimes the material or the technique used by the dentist causes the color to turn grey. Sometimes the dentist did not have the lab add enough opacity to hide the color. Other times the dentist did not help the lab understand how much of a color change he or she hopes to achieve. The bonding skill and the cosmetic dentistry skill of the dentist is very important in determining how color stable your porcelain veneers will be. There is a huge difference in the skills of cosmetic dentists. I realize that patients think dentists are all licensed and trained the same but the training and the ability of the cosmetic dentist varies wildly.

Sometimes if the color of the veneers turns grey you can bleach the teeth but this is not permanent. You will have to continue bleaching your teeth for the rest of your life and that may not be a good idea. You also mentioned the porcelain veneers were dull. The material used may not be real porcelain but some hybrid form of porcelain that is cheaper to make and easier for the dentist to bond. There is a large difference in the types of porcelain used for the porcelain veneers. The types of porcelains utalized, the cosmetic skills of the dentist, the technical bonding skills of the dentist and the diagnostic skills are critical to achieve results that look natural and last for many years.

Caution! The dentist you choose makes all of the difference between good and bad porcelain veneers. Ask to see one of the dentists patients, ask to talk to one of their patients but the best way is to see a lot of photographs with clear before and after images of the patients including full face views and close up views. Don’t fall for website gimmicks. Don’t fall for miss matched photos that do not allow you to compare results. Don’t fall for a slick website with bad before and after photos. Choose carefully because you will be wearing the porcelain veneers for a very long time.

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

Posted by: The Hightech Dentist | Comments Comments Off
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

Posted by: The Hightech Dentist | Comments Comments Off
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

Posted by: The Hightech Dentist | Comments Comments Off
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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All Veneers Are Not Alike

Posted by: The Hightech Dentist | Comments Comments Off
Friday, November 13th, 2009

Question:

“Dr. Sam, what are the best porcelain veneers?”

Answer:

Porcelain dental veneers (also called dental veneers or dental laminates), consist of custom made shells of tooth colored material. They’re designed to overlay the surface of your teeth.

All veneers are not alike. That’s why Dr. Sam Muslin offers you a selection of the choicest dental veneers. For example there are:

  • Thin shell veneers that possesses the qualities of your own teeth
  • Traditional porcelain veneers
  • No drilling, no grinding, no preparation veneers

The procedures used by Dr. Muslin include using his own ceramist to create the veneers, the most current veneer placement technology and the doctor’s own skill in placing the veneers so the teeth don’t feel “fat” (a common veneer makeover issue).

Veneers are Your Decision

As most procedures affecting your appearance, the decision to consider dental veneers is very personal. Some of the reasons you might have are:

  • You prefer your teeth to be another shape
  • You feel your teeth lack strength when biting or chewing
  • You want a dazzling white smile
  • Your teeth are discolored
  • Your teeth are worn down, chipped or broken
  • Your teeth have gaps or are uneven

sama All Veneers Are Not AlikeFor example, Dr. Muslin’s patient in this photo expressed dissatisfaction with the shape of her teeth. She also felt her teeth lacked bulk.

By reshaping and contouring the gums and making and fitting the veneer, Dr. Muslin created a striking difference in his patient’s smile and teeth appearance.

The teeth appear fuller and the inward taper is gone. The patient was very happy with the results of this porcelain dental veneer process.

A Three Step Process to Dental Veneers

  1. Diagnosis and Treatment Planning- It’s important to tell the dentist what your goals are. The dentist will examine you and then you both can discuss what’s most appropriate.
  2. Preparing for the Procedure- Impressions will be made of your teeth and your teeth will be prepared for bonding.
  3. Bonding and Fitting- Prior to placing the veneers permanently on your teeth, the dentist will test, adjust and refit to get the perfect look and shape of the veneer and the cement used to bond it to your natural teeth.

A follow up visit may be scheduled to check on your dental health with the new veneers.

Contact Dr. Muslin

If you feel you might need dental veneers but are uncertain about how to proceed, contact Dr. Sam Muslin. His staff will arrange an appointment for you.

You and Dr. Muslin can discuss whether or not you’re a veneer candidate. You’ll be able to make a confident decision that matches your wants and the counsel of a true expert in the cosmetic dentistry and dental veneer field.

Call now at (310) 829-6796.

Categories : Blog, Porcelain Veneers
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Cheap Porcelain Veneers

Posted by: The Hightech Dentist | Comments Comments Off
Monday, November 2nd, 2009

Question:

“Dr. Sam – Why should I not get my veneers from my general dentist? He is just so much cheaper. Will veneers from a specialist, such as yourself, be so much better?”

Answer:

The least expensive porcelain veneer is one that lasts and looks natural for many years.  The patients enjoy the benefits of the work of a true professional.  My first porcelain veneer patient was done over 25 years ago and is still functioning perfectly.  It is my Dad and he is 87 years old.

The dentist you choose depends on how much you care about the results.  Dentists that are working on everything have trouble developing a focus on anything.  Many patients have tried the cheaper route and are getting their veneers replaced because they hate them.  They think they are fake, bulky and break too easily.  When you think about it, you are going to be wearing the porcelain veneers 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.  Some of these patients are so frustrated that they are afraid to eat because another one will break or fall off.

Others that chose the cheap route have teeth that do not look very natural.  Everyone that sees you knows you picked a cheap dentist.

Have you thought about having one of your front teeth break just before a big party or a job interview or important meeting?  These patients can tell you that the money they saved was not worth it.

Dentists can use less expensive techniques, cheaper dental labs, cheaper type of porcelain veneers and be far less skilled in bonding them to your teeth.  Today, the patients are more particular about how their porcelain veneers will look.  They look a photos of patients in my office and let me know which style or look that they like and don’t like.  They have seen cheap veneers on their friends  or on other people and do not like what they see. They are not going to make the same mistake that their friends made and enjoy the compliments they receive on their smile.

There are many dentists that you can choose to treat your smile.  The techniques and the technology matter more than the money but the most important element is the artistic and technical skill of your dentist.

Categories : Blog, Porcelain Veneers
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Black Rims around Porcelain Crowns and Porcelain Veneers

Posted by: The Hightech Dentist | Comments Comments Off
Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

Question:

Dr. Sam, I am considering crowns and porcelain veneers. However, my friend had some done and now has black rims at the bottom of her teeth. This looks awful. Is this normal?  – From Linda, Santa Monica

Answer:

It is very unfortunate when there are black rims around porcelain crowns and porcelain veneers.  This should NOT happen! 

The black stain around the rim of the crown or porcelain veneers is contamination.  The bonding technique was a failure as there was something that was not completed thoroughly.  

In all fairness to the dentist, it is very difficult to bond porcelain crowns and porcelain veneers at the gum line.  Any tiny speck of blood or spit or fluid from the gums will cause the margin of the restoration to turn black. 

 How to Remove Black at the Gum Line

The only way to remove the black rim at the gum line is to replace the restorations.  It is unfortunate to have to start over, but it is the only way to remove the black rim.  The restorations must be removed, the teeth must be properly cleaned and the dentist has to meticulously bond each restoration perfectly.  The dentist needs to be using magnification.

Magnification to Remove the Black Line at the Gums

Magnification dentistry allows the dentist to see better than the naked eye.  I have been wearing powerful custom made telescopic eye-wear to visualize the most minuet details. 

The tiny bits of moisture or contamination at the gum line that are on the tooth cannot be seen with the naked eye, so black lines at the gums are the result of inadequate technique by the dentist.  It takes a special dentist to be able to use magnification properly and to be able to afford the very highest quality lenses and camera systems. 

The telescopic magnifying eye wear magnifies about 4 times but the tiny cameras that go inside the patient’s mouth magnify 25 times!  It is an instant improvement in quality if the dentist can successfully utilize the high tech magnification systems. 

Failure Rate and Magnification

Black lines at the gums as well as porcelain veneers and crowns that come off are a result of micro leakage.  The bond is supposed to stop leakage but must be perfect or leakage will occur at any area where the bond is inadequate. 

It has been estimated that 35% of American dentists will not be able to consistently bond dental restorations and American dentists are considered the absolute best in the entire world. 

Magnification dentistry reduces the failure rate but nobody is perfect.  The best multimillion-dollar baseball players only are successful at best, once out of three times at bat!  The best football quarterbacks make huge mistakes and throw interceptions or fumble the ball that loose championship games.  Dentists that use magnification will have a higher success rate then the best baseball players in history.

Considering Crowns and Porcelain Veneers

The most important choice is not if you choose crowns or porcelain veneers but the dentist that you choose. 

The dentist is by far the most important part.  They only way to choose a dentist is to look a photos of their patients that are enlarged.  You need to see at least 10 “before and after photos” of their patients, including full face photos that match.  Dentists that have the “before” photo taken with a cheap camera and the “after” photo taken by a professional photographer are NOT presenting their work in a valid manner. 

Dentists that have photos of the face in one position and have the “after” photo in a completely different position are not allowing you to honestly evaluate their work.  Avoid these dentists.  To see the best “before and after cosmetic dentistry photo gallery” ever presented by a dentist of his own work on his own patients, visit the galleries on our various websites.

Categories : Blog, Dental Crowns, Porcelain Veneers
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Lumineers vs. Custom Porcelain Veneers: Just Marketing?

Posted by: The Hightech Dentist | Comments Comments Off
Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

Question:

Is there really a difference between Lumineers and your acclaimed custom porcelain veneers – or is it just marketing?

Answer

It is NOT just Marketing!

We keep getting patients that just had porcelain veneers done by a “coupon dentist” and got a cheap price that are extremely unhappy. They feel violated, they can’t smile, and they look unnatural and fake. These patients are angry and would rather go back to their natural teeth than keep the new veneers placed on their teeth.

See the Sama Lumineers video at www.hightechdentist.com for a live testimonial about her experience with lumineers.

After practicing dentistry for over 30 years and having 25 years of porcelain veneer experience, I have developed a keen understanding of the level of care necessary to please our patients. The biggest problem with most types of lab processed “custom” porcelain veneers is that so many of them look fake. Patients that are considering porcelain veneers are postponing treatment because they did not like the work recently completed on their friend by some other dentist. I found that porcelain veneers made in a dental lab are just not good enough anymore for most patients. I had to go to another level.

Custom Porcelain Veneers

Everyone claims that his or her porcelain veneers are custom made. Lumineers, Da Vinci Lab and all of the other labs claim their porcelain veneers are custom made and technically they are custom. But, there is a big difference in the porcelain veneers I produce and that is, patient satisfaction.

Fake Looking Porcelain Veneers

Bad porcelain veneers are fake looking. They are square, bulky, and thick and lack natural coloration. Cheaper porcelain veneers fade over time and stain easily. Years ago, just about any cosmetic improvement with porcelain veneers was considered good cosmetic dentistry. However, today, patients are more demanding and far more sophisticated about their dentistry. Patients want a natural look created to their specifications. The standard lab made porcelain veneers are not good enough anymore for many people.

Patient Specifications for their Porcelain Veneers

Some patients like longer looking teeth or square looking edges to their porcelain veneers. Other patients want very white teeth that do not look natural to me but are perfect to the patient. Some patients want their teeth to look undetectable yet still make their teeth permanently whiter. While other patients want their teeth to be a little bit crooked because it is part of their personality. This is the type of customization necessary for the ultimate level of care with porcelain veneers. Sending an impression to a lab just does not produce consistent patient satisfaction. More customized individualization, better shapes, better sizing and better translucency had to be done.

The Ultimate Level of Porcelain Veneers

Patients have an idea of the type of look that they want. They bring in pictures of smiles or want the shapes to be a particular way. Some patients have said to me that I am the expert so go ahead and do the treatment. Even though I was awarded the “Master” and was picked the Best Dentist in Los Angeles, I have found that some level of communication regarding patient expectations was vital to making the patient thrilled with the results. See www.hightechdentist.com for photos of my work or www.faceliftdentistry.com for one of the highest quality photo galleries of “before and after photos” matched up so you can compare the results.

What are Custom Porcelain Veneers?

I used so called “custom-made” porcelain veneers from dental labs years ago. I did what just about every single dentist in the United States does today, and that is take the impression and send it to the lab. When the porcelain veneers come back, they bond them into position and sometimes their patients are very unhappy. The labs do the best that they can do but they are not looking at the patient, nor do they understand how to customized cosmetic dentistry to the specific patient. Dental Labs have a tendency to produce the same looking teeth for everyone. It is not their fault; it is just the level of communication between the dentist and the lab. There just is no substitute for the cosmetic and creative eye of the dentist.

What are the Best Porcelain Veneers?

The best porcelain veneers are hand shaped by a highly skilled cosmetic dentist. In my office, I have about 20 close-up photos and 20 full face photos from all angles of every patient in order to visualize my patient while I am shaping and truly customizing their porcelain veneers. I have talked with the patient, shown them photos of my patients that have signed model release forms so they may visualize all of the variables and help choose the characteristics that they like for themselves. I have all of the information and then work on every single patient personally to create the natural look, cosmetic vision and the best porcelain veneers customized to that particular patient. I cannot do this with Lumineers because their ceramists are too far away.

See the Porcelain Veneers in you mouth Before they are Bonded!

After creating the best porcelain veneers for my patient, we gently place them on the patient’s teeth without bonding them so my patients can see my work BEFORE IT IS BONDED. They can go outside with my assistants to see how they look in the sun, and go back inside the office in various lighting to see how they look in office lighting. At this point, we can still increase the intensity of the shade or lower the intensity. Only after seeing the truly customized porcelain veneers in you mouth cans you, the patient, make an intelligent decision. If necessary, I can also bring in my ceramist that works only 2 blocks away to visualize form himself the improvements that are necessary if big changes need to be made.

Our patient satisfaction level is so high that they sign the model release form without any compensation. These patients for giving us permission to show their full face “before and after photos” honor us.

Marketing vs Educating

I am trying to educate my existing and potential new patients about the advantages of getting their dental care completed in my office. It has taken me many years to develop my “eye” for the ultimate level of cosmetic dental health care. The photography of my work validates the quality and the high level of patient satisfaction makes my professional work experience very satisfying.

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.