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Beverly Hills Institute of Dental Esthetics
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Brian LeSage, DDS, FAGD, FAACD

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Archives for November 2021

Which BL Shade Will Look Good for My Porcelain Veneers?

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I’m getting porcelain veneers in January and trying to decide on the shade. My dentist tells me that BL4 might be brighter than I think. I want pleasingly white teeth, but I do not want them to look fake. I looked at shade guides, but I am not sure how they will look on my smile and skin tone. Is BL4 too white to look natural? Thank you. Jared from North Dakota

Jared,

Thank you for choosing our office for your question. First, we will give an overview of BL shades for our readers.

What Are BL Tooth Shades?

Teeth bleaching shade guide and natural tooth shade guideBL tooth shades measure teeth whiteness with bleaching. Ivoclar developed the system, and BL shades are whiter than the brightest shade of natural teeth. The shades are BL1, BL2, BL3, and BL4. BL1 is the most brilliant shade, and BL4 is slighter whiter than the whitest natural tooth shade.

How Can You Choose a BL Shade for Your Veneers?

We included a photo of the Ivoclar shade guide for bleach teeth. Next to it is a classic shade guide for natural teeth. A1 on the classic shade guide represents the whitest natural tooth shade for most people. B1 on the classic shade guide is standard for baby teeth, not adult teeth.

  • B1 – If you want your teeth to look natural, choosing veneers beyond B1 on the natural shade guide might make people notice you had work done on your teeth to make them so white.
  • BL4 – BL4 is slighter whiter than BL1. Depending on your personality and preferences, you may want people to notice your smile right away. BL4 will advertise your bright smile, but it will not look as stark as BL3, BL2, and BL1

So, you can decide if you want an immediately noticeable white smile with veneers that have the wow factor (BL4) or a softer white (B1). But you do not need to rush the decision. Look at the shade guides with your dentist in different lighting and discuss them further.

You can also look back at your dentist’s smile gallery of porcelain veneers. Look for patients with your skin tone and ask your dentist which shade of veneers you see in the photos. It can help you decide on your veneer color.

 

Brian LeSage, DDS of Beverly Hills, sponsors this post. Dr. LeSage is an accredited Fellow of cosmetic dentistry.

How Can I Get My Rough Teeth Edges Smoothed?

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I wore Invisalign for 13 months, but I still have rough teeth edges. I did not expect Invisalign to correct the edges, but I thought my general dentist would. However, my dentist says the edges don’t look bad. But I want them to look good, and I am uncomfortable with leaving them that way. I am a 44- year-old human resources professional and want my smile to look its best, and this look falls short. How can I convince my dentist to do something about my rough teeth edges? – Thank you. Keiko from NV

 

Keiko,

Although your dentist thinks your teeth edges look okay after Invisalign treatment, you can get them reshaped. We understand your goal not only to straighten your teeth but to have an appealing tooth shape.

How Can You Get Rough Teeth Edges Smoothed?

You can get rough teeth edges smooth with a procedure called enameloplasty. It is also referred to as cosmetic contouring or teeth filing. A cosmetic dentist can reshape your tooth enamel and polish your teeth afterward.

Who Can Reshape Your Rough Teeth Edges?

A clear orthodontic aligner like Invisalign for info on rough teeth edges after treatment

After Invisalign treatment, a cosmetic dentist can smooth rough teeth edges

You can trust an advanced cosmetic dentist to smooth your rough teeth edges. When a dentist changes the length of our teeth, it can affect your bite (the way your upper and lower teeth meet). But a cosmetic dentist understands how to smooth your edges and without causing bite problems.

How Does a Dentist Smooth Rough Teeth Edges?

A cosmetic dentist can smooth rough teeth edges with these steps:

  • Use a dental instrument, such as a sanding disc or burr, to remove a small amount of tooth enamel from each tooth
  • Shape each tooth
  • Polish your teeth

Sometimes, a cosmetic dentist will add composite bonding to fill in the sides of some teeth to improve their overall shape.

How Long Does It Take to Smooth Rough Teeth Edges?

Smoothing rough teeth edges takes about 30 minutes, depending on how many teeth are affected. During your consultation with a cosmetic dentist, they will give you a time estimate.

Does It Hurt?

Smoothing rough teeth edges is painless because a skilled cosmetic dentist will only remove a small amount of tooth enamel. And tooth enamel does not contain nerves. However, let your dentist know if you have dental anxiety, and they will explain your options for sedation.

Dr. Brian LeSage, DDS, an accredited Fellow of cosmetic dentistry in Beverly Hills, sponsors this post. Dr. LeSage is accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry.

How Can I Get My Rough Teeth Edges Smoothed?

“Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful.”
– Thích Nhất Hạnh

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