Floss is Catching on My Porcelain Veneers
I recently got four porcelain veneers and I’m having trouble flossing. My flosser keeps catching on the veneers. My dentist thinks it is fine because my gums cover the problem. I’m just afraid that if we leave it like this, then food and things will get trapped in there. Won’t that leave me vulnerable to decay?
Carolyn
Dear Carolyn,
When you have porcelain veneers placed on your teeth, the margin needs to be completely smooth and flush with your teeth. It sounds like that didn’t happen for yours and you have an overhang. This can happen when the dentist does not get a clean impression at the end of the tooth preparation. Then the lab can’t make smooth finish from the veneer to the tooth.
The overhang not only means that you can’t get your floss there, but that food and other debris will get caught there, as you are concerned about. While there is a risk of decay, I think the bigger risk is gum disease. This really does need to be fixed. When gum disease is left untreated, it leads you bone loss and the loss of your teeth.
If your dentist has a good sense of ethics, they will replace this free of charge. If they refuse to, then you will need to get this fixed for the health of your gums.
You may want to try getting a second opinion. If another dentist agrees that there is an overhang, they may be able to convince your dentist that they need to redo them. Sometimes a dentist is more likely to listen to a colleague than a patient. It shouldn’t be that way, but it can happen.
I’m sorry this happened to you. Cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized specialty, which means any general dentist can do cosmetic work regardless of whether they’ve invested in any post-doctoral training. If you do have to pay to have them done by someone else, make sure they have a beautiful smile guarantee.
This blog is brought to you by Moline Dentist Dr. Thomas Goebel.
Click here to learn about dental implants, a tooth replacement option.
Getting Porcelain Veneers While Pregnant
I am afraid I’ve screwed up big time and need some advice. Three days after completely finishing my porcelain veneers procedure I found out I was pregnant. I looked it up and you are not supposed to have dental work done in the first trimester of pregnancy. Is there anything I can do or is it too late?
Lacey
Dear Lacey,
Take a deep breath. This is going to be okay. Dentists are told not to perform unnecessary dental work in the first trimester of a pregnancy because that is the most sensitive time for the baby and you don’t want to introduce chemicals that can be harmful. Fortunately, for you, the only chemical that should have been used in the porcelain veneers procedure is Lidocaine. This has already been approved for use during pregnancy and is even used in the delivery room. There should be no issues of adverse reactions with your baby.
So you know, you will be better off to schedule any regular dental work during the second trimester, so I’d get that appointment scheduled now. We have already discussed why we avoid the first trimester. We avoid the final trimester for the sake of your comfort, more than any actual safety issues. You’ll be a bit larger because you’ve got a whole baby you are holding on to. This tends to make it less comfortable for you to sit in a dental chair for any length of time.
The exception to avoiding dental work is if you have a dental emergency of some kind. It is important and infections, including dental infections, are treated promptly so you don’t have any lingering bacteria that can be passed to your child. You also want to keep up with your cleanings. Untreated gum disease is linked to low birth weight in babies. So, as much as you are probably exhausted right now and feeling a little nauseated, go ahead and schedule your cleaning.
If you end up dealing with a lot of morning sickness during your first trimester that leads to vomiting, call your dentist and ask about ways you can protect your teeth during those early months.
Congratulations on your new baby!
This blog is brought to you by Moline Dentist Dr. Thomas Goebel.