Will you please tell me why my porcelain veneers make my gums look puffy? My dentist placed the veneers in early May. I have eight veneers across my front teeth. My gums above all eight veneers are puffy. When I first saw the dentist about the issue, she told me that some inflammation after placement is normal. But should it take three months to resolve? Both the dentist and hygienist suggested that I am not flossing between my teeth regularly. I keep my teeth and gums clean. The dentist gave me specific verbal and written instructions that I follow daily. I even use the expensive toothpaste she recommended to avoid scratching my veneers.

Two weeks ago, I returned to the dentist, and she removed some cement and rough surfaces behind my teeth. I see minimal improvement, but my gums are still puffy above the veneers. Of course, the puffy gums are noticeable, and a few close friends have asked about it. I am embarrassed but also afraid that my dentist is going to recommend new veneers. I am thinking about seeing a periodontist next before I get gum disease and my veneers and teeth fall out. Is there something I can suggest to my dentist to correct this, or should I find a new dentist? Thank you so much for your help. Bhavna from WA

Bhavna,

We understand how frustrating it is to experience gum inflammation after your dentist placed porcelain veneers and then have the dentist suggest that you might be responsible for the issue. Dr. LeSage would need to examine your veneers, teeth, and gums to determine the cause of inflammation, but we will discuss some possibilities.

Do Porcelain Veneers Cause Gum Inflammation?

Porcelain veneers do not cause gum inflammation. But a dentist’s process can irritate your gums and result in inflammation. We will discuss five possible causes of puffy gums after getting veneers.

1. Excess cement – If a dentist does not clean off excess cement while bonding on your veneers, it can get beneath your gums and irritate them. But cosmetic dentists who regularly place veneers often use the technique of curing the cement in the middle of each tooth and cleaning off the excess before it hardens. A dentist must follow the process when bonding the veneers—not months later.
2. Uneven margins – The margin is where a veneer meets your tooth. A dentist must ensure that your gumline is even and does not invite irritation, bacteria, and inflammation.
3. Wearing temporary veneers too long – Extended wear of temporary veneers can cause inflammation and complication for bonding your porcelain veneers.
4. Position of your veneers – If your veneers are too deep beneath your gumline, they can interfere with healthy gum attachment and cause inflammation and infection.
5. Sensitivity to veneers – Although porcelain or ceramic allergies and sensitivities are rare, they can happen. If a dentist rules out all other possibilities for gum inflammation around your porcelain veneers, you may want to get testing for an allergic response.

Schedule a Porcelain Veneers Second Opinion

We suggest scheduling a porcelain veneers’ second opinion rather than telling your dentist what to try next. Look for an advanced cosmetic dentist—preferably accredited—and schedule an appointment for an exam. You can use the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry’s website to find a dentist in your state. Accredited cosmetic dentists have completed many porcelain veneers cases and corrected botched veneers that other dentists placed. The dentist will identify the cause of your gum inflammation and recommend treatment.

 

Brian LeSage, DDS of Beverly Hills, sponsors this post. Dr. LeSage is an accredited Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the American Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry. Read about Dr. LeSage’s published classification system for porcelain veneers. Read about how to do research and ask questions upfront to minimize the risk of concerns with veneers.