I have a LOT of questions. First, the problem: eroded spots on my teeth, right where the gums and teeth meet. My dentist said it was from brushing my teeth too hard. I’ve switched to a soft brush and try to take it easy, but evidently the damage has been done. I’m thinking about getting porcelain crowns or veneers, and this is where the questions come in.
1. Will the teeth with veneers be more susceptible to decay and discoloration along the gumline because of the eroded spots?
2. Some of the porcelain veneer sites I have seen show the dentist removing part of the teeth before placing them. With the protective enamel removed, doesn’t that make the teeth under the veneers more susceptible to decay, with no way to really clean them?
3. Do all veneers eventually stain, and if so, how long on average does it take?
4. One of the sites I looked at said that you should have your “margins professionally polished”. How often do you have to do that, and how much does it cost?
That’s it for now, I guess. Thanks for your help!
Kay in Juneau, AK
Dear Kay,
You DO have a lot of questions! Before we address them, we should speak to what is probably the REAL reason you have those eroded areas along your gumline. Conventional thinking used to be that it was overly rough brushing, but new evidence suggests that it is actually from “bruxism”, or biting stress. Years of clenching or grinding cause the teeth to flex right where the tooth meets the gum (the neck of the tooth). This weakens the tooth, and leads to the notches you describe.
This means that prior to porcelain veneer placement, you’ll have to find someone to help you with your bite issues. Look for a cosmetic dentist who also has special training in TMJ treatment.
To address your questions: Generally, teeth that have porcelain veneers on them are no more susceptible to decay than normal teeth are. Also, porcelain veneers are MORE resistant to staining than your natural teeth, so they should be beautiful for many years to come. The regular maintenance required will be determined by the dentist who places them, so we really can’t speak to that.
Enjoy your new smile.
One brand of porcelain veneer is called Lumineers. For more information, see our website.
This post is a courtesy of Mesa Arizona dentists Dr. Stapley and Dr. Kitchen.