I Got BL1 Shade Teeth and New Crowns That Are Yellowing

I found a dentist to brighten my teeth Hollywood white. I asked to replace my old crowns, too. We waited for the tooth color to settle, but the crowns don’t match and seem to be yellowing after just seven months.  I smile less often, and I’m embarrassed to smile. I wasted my money. My dentist says I shouldn’t have asked for super-white teeth. Reid from LA

Reid,

We understand that achieving the perfect shade for your dental crowns is crucial for your confidence and satisfaction with your smile. Let’s clarify some aspects of tooth color, especially extraordinarily bright shades.

Understanding Ultra-White Tooth Shades like BL1

Dentists often refer to specialized shade guides when discussing white teeth, especially after professional bleaching. For instance, the Ivoclar shade guide for bleached teeth includes shades like BL1, representing colors beyond the typical natural tooth range. Understanding these ultra-white shades is helpful when planning cosmetic dental work like crowns.

Here are a few key points about the BL1 shade to consider, particularly if you desire a very bright smile:

• Shade BL1 is noticeably whiter than what occurs naturally in unbleached teeth.
• You can often achieve a BL1 shade for your natural teeth through professional teeth whitening procedures.
• For a natural look, dentists recommend that if you choose BL1 crowns, you should also whiten all your visible natural teeth to match this shade first. Otherwise, super-white crowns next to darker natural teeth can look artificial.

Why Might Porcelain Crowns Change Color?

It can be concerning and disappointing if you notice your porcelain crowns start to look yellow or discolored over time. High-quality, intact dental porcelain is generally very resistant to staining and should maintain its original color for many years.

If your porcelain crowns appear to be turning yellow, specific factors are likely responsible rather than an issue with the porcelain material itself when it’s undamaged. Here are potential reasons why discoloration might occur:

• Material Composition: The crowns may not be entirely composed of high-quality dental porcelain. Authentic porcelain maintains its color stability exceptionally well if the surface remains intact.
• Glaze Damage: The smooth, protective outer layer on your crowns, known as the glaze, might have sustained damage. Specific dental procedures or substances can compromise this glaze, making the crown susceptible to staining. For example, acidulated fluoride treatments or abrasive power polishing equipment (sometimes used for cleaning) can roughen the glaze. A dental hygienist properly trained in caring for porcelain restorations will know to avoid these specific agents and techniques on your crowns.

We recommend scheduling an appointment for a second opinion with a cosmetic dentist with expertise in aesthetic restorations. The cosmetic dentist will examine your crowns thoroughly to identify the cause of the discoloration.

Please be assured that an experienced cosmetic dentist possesses the skills, artistic eye, and materials to create crowns, including those on dental implants, that match the BL1 shade of your whitened teeth, resulting in a seamless and beautiful smile.

 

Dr. Thaddeus Michalski, a Rocky Hill, Connecticut dentist, sponsors this post. Read why patients agree that he is one of the best dentists in Rocky Hill.

How Much Dental Work Can I Get In One Visit?

Hi. I really don’t like going to the dentist. I want to finish dental work without too many dental appointments. I need two crowns and three root canals, and I want to get my teeth whitened. I put off the root canals and crowns for over a year. My dentist wants me to spread the treatment over two months, but I would like this done all at once. I don’t like a dentist who has me return unnecessarily. Can I get all this work done on the same day, or am I not being reasonable? – Ken from Reno, NV

Ken – Thank you for your question. We understand your concerns about minimizing dental visits and maximizing your time in the dental chair.

How Much Dental Work Can You Get in One Visit?

How much dental work you can get in one visit depends on several factors, including:

• The type of procedure
• Procedure complexity
• Extent of the work required
• Condition of your teeth
• Your oral health
• Your physical health
• Your dentist’s experience, skills, and recommendations
• Whether you get dental sedation and the type of sedation

How Does Sedation Dentistry Help a Dentist Accomplish More?

Sedation can help a dentist accomplish more work than without sedation for these reasons:

• You are relaxed – A patient’s anxiety, gag reflex, or inability to relax can limit how much work a dentist completes in one visit. However, dental sedation calms you and allows a dentist to proceed with treatment.
• Your dentist can focus – Your relaxed state allows the dentist to focus on your care while monitoring your vital signs during sedation.
• Decrease pain sensitivity – The American Dental Association confirms that using sedation for complex treatments can ease pain and anxiety.

Can You Get Teeth Whitening and Crowns on the Same Day?

A dentist must complete teeth whitening before placing dental crowns. Your dentist will want to ensure the crowns match your whitened teeth. It can take a week or two for your tooth color to stabilize after whitening.

Speak with your dentist regarding your concerns about minimizing your visits and making your visits as productive as possible. Ask your dentist about sedation for your procedures, too. Consider getting a second opinion from an advanced cosmetic dentist if necessary.

Dr. Thaddeus Michalski, a Rocky Hill, Connecticut dentist and Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, sponsors this post.

 

The Many Ways of Cosmetic Dentistry in Rocky Hill, CT

If you are thinking about cosmetic dentistry, then you have a lot to consider. First, what goals do you have for your smile? Do you have any teeth that need repair? And, of course, what is your budget? Thankfully, the office of Dr. Thaddeus S. Michalski in Rocky Hill, CT, offers a number of cosmetic dental procedures to improve your smile.

Teeth Whitening

If you are simply looking to brighten and rejuvenate your smile and your overall appearance, then teeth whitening may be all you need. Dr. Michalski offers a convenient at-home teeth whitening system that can make your smile up to eight shades brighter. We’ll take impressions of your teeth in order to fabricate custom trays to hold the professional strength whitening gel against your teeth. Just wear the trays and gel for the amount of time Dr. Michalski specifies, and you’ll see whiter teeth in no time.

Cosmetic Bonding

For a tooth with a slight chip or another minor imperfection, Dr. Michalski may recommend cosmetic bonding. In one appointment, he will apply a tooth-colored composite resin to the tooth and then use a special light to rapidly harden the bond. Once hardened, the doctor will sculpt and polish the restoration.

Porcelain Veneers

For a smile with more complex imperfections—severely stained or discolored teeth, slightly crooked teeth, unevenly spaced teeth or teeth that are broken—there are porcelain veneers. These cosmetic dental wonders can restore a smile in just two visits to the dentist. Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin layers of dental porcelain that are bonded to the front of teeth. Dr. Michalski will design your veneers based on precise measurements of your teeth and the goals you have in mind for your smile.

Call the Office of Dr. Michalski Today

These are only some of the options you can select from the world of cosmetic dentistry with Dr. Michalski. Other cosmetic services our office offers include Lumineers®, Invisalign® Orthodontics and gum recontouring. Our office conveniently serves patients in Rocky Hill, CT, as well as the surrounding communities of Hartford, Cromwell, Berlin, Newington and Wethersfield.

Enjoy the Benefits of a Brighter Smile with Teeth Whitening from Dr. Michalski in Rocky Hill, CT

When you see someone else smile, are you always drawn to the whiteness of their teeth? Do you find yourself wishing you had a Hollywood smile that communicates confidence, youthfulness and joy? Well, have you considered taking matters into your own hands with at-home teeth whitening trays from Dr. Thaddeus S. Michalski in Rocky Hill, CT? Whether you want to make a subtle change in the whiteness of your smile, or if you are looking to make a difference that shouts, “Wow!” Dr. Michalski and his team can help you achieve your goal.

Teeth Whitening Just for You

The at-home teeth whitening kits that Dr. Michalski offers can make your smile up to eight shades brighter. When you visit the office for teeth whitening, Dr. Michalski will take an impression of your teeth. These impressions are then used to create custom-fitted trays. The trays provide a snug hold for the professional-strength teeth whitening gel that Dr. Michalski will give you. This way, the gel remains flush against your teeth and more of the gel can penetrate the tooth’s enamel to remove stains caused by food and drink, tobacco and aging.

Your Role in Teeth Whitening

To whiten your teeth, all you have to do is follow a few simple instructions. After a personal consultation with Dr. Michalski to determine your goals, you’ll receive your trays, professional whitening gel and directions for how and when to use your at-home teeth whitening kit. Wear the teeth-whitening trays at your convenience for the amount of time Dr. Michalski specifies. With take-home teeth-whitening, you have more control over the degree of whiteness achieved. Plus, you can wear the trays in the future if you think you need a quick touch-up.

Call Our Office Today for Whiter Teeth

Ready for that bright, white smile? Then call the office of Dr. Michalski today. He and his team are ready to give you the smile you want. Dr. Michalski conveniently serves patients in Rocky Hill, CT, and the surrounding towns of Hartford, Wethersfield, Cromwell, Newington and Berlin.

Teeth Whitening in Rocky Hill, CT: Enjoy a Revitalized Smile with Dr. Michalski

Did you know that people with healthy, white smiles are largely considered to be more confident, successful, and outgoing? If you feel that your teeth could definitely stand to be whiter, you’re certainly not alone. Millions of Americans express some level of dissatisfaction with the shade of their teeth, wishing for a brighter smile but unsure of how to achieve optimal results. At Thaddeus S. Michalski, DMD in Rocky Hill, CT, our team offers professional teeth whitening treatments to help your smile shine its brightest.

Teeth Whitening Treatment That Works

Dozens of over-the-counter products claim to be capable of whitening your teeth as well as professional treatments, but the truth is that only a dentist can offer truly lasting whitening results. This is because the whitening gel formula we use is so powerful that it can’t be simply sold at your local pharmacy or grocery store. In addition, the trays that you receive in these store-bought kits aren’t customized to fit your unique dentition, so the effects of the product aren’t nearly as noticeable as you’d prefer.

When you receive customized whitening trays from Dr. Michalski, however, you will see immediate, long-lasting results because your teeth whitening kit has been personalized just for you. The powerful, professional-grade gel is held securely against your enamel, allowing your teeth to absorb oxygen and the whitening gel more effectively. The end result is a beautiful smile that still looks natural.

Your Most Beautiful Smile Yet

At Thaddeus S. Michalski, DDS, we believe that each and every patient deserves to feel and look their best, and we love to help make that possible with our extensive array of cosmetic dentistry services. Whether you feel that your smile is severely lacking in the aesthetics department or it just needs a little boost to look its best, we’re here to help. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Michalski. We look forward to showing you what a difference a whiter smile can make in your daily life! We proudly serve patients from throughout Rocky Hill, CT and the surrounding areas, including Hartford, Newington, Cromwell, Wethersfield, Berlin, and beyond.