All posts by goodtooth

Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Bonding, Snap-On Smile

Will Snap-On Smile work for my son?

Hello,

My son is eight years old and he has chipped his tooth pretty badly. It’s almost broken in half. The dentist filled it, but it broke within a week. It doesn’t seem to hurt him since the roots are unharmed. We’ve been told that he isn’t old enough to have his tooth capped. Will the Snap-On Smile work for him?

– Maya from Indiana

Maya,
Snap-On Smile works well to temporarily give the appearance of a straight, white smile. In the particular case of your son, I’m not sure this is the way to go.

If his tooth is broken, then placing this Snap-On Smile appliance over his tooth is doing nothing to address the real problem. Direct dental bonding with porcelain or composite materials can fix this problem for your son. And it needs to be done correctly so that it does not interfere with his biting or chewing. Although, you will need to seek the talents of a true cosmetic dentist. Not just any family dentist will be able to do this kind of work well.

There are some other issues to choosing Snap-On Smile for your son. Not only will it feel bulky, a boy his age may lose it. Also, he has a combination of permanent and baby teeth. This means that fitting the appliance correctly will be difficult since his bite is changing so rapidly. The appliance itself may also get in the way of new teeth that are erupting.

The reason the repair you mentioned failed is likely due to the fact that it got in the way of his bite. When he is a bit older, he will have all his permanent teeth and this will be less of an issue. It is difficult to make anymore recommendations without actually seeing this particular case. Therefore, I highly recommend consulting with an expert cosmetic dentist to present your options to you.

The tooth will look and function normally if it is done correctly.

Best of luck to you.

This post is sponsored by Gilbert dentist Vista Dorada Dental.

Related link: emergency dentist

Dental Crowns

I have decay underneath my crown

I think I have some tooth decay located under my dental crowns. Also, I think I may need another root canal. My question is whether or not the crowns can be reused when the decay is removed from underneath the crown? I am looking for an affordable dentist to do this because I cannot afford to have all new crowns placed.

Another issue I have is that I have a sensitive gag reflex. I’m 70 years old and I’ve been told that I will also have a difficult time dentures. This is frustrating since I thought I fixed most of my dental problems with the crowns I had done several years ago now.

Any advice would be appreciated.

– Louie from California

Louie,

The good news is that the decay around a dental crown can sometimes be fixed without having to remove them completely. That said, it all depends on how bad the tooth decay is and how deep it is. If it is deep then the crown will need to be removed to take care of the problem. When the crown is removed it may need to be cut off which will means it will not be reusable. But if the crown is removed and remains intact it is possible to have it redone with new material to build it up if you are conscious about budget.

To prevent future tooth decay, you may want to alter how frequently you are eating. Although brushing and flossing everyday is important, snacking throughout the day will not enable you to stay on top of the decay. It’s best to brush each time you eat if your general dental health is a concern.

I hope this information was helpful in answering your question.

This post is sponsored by Gilbert dentist Vista Dorada Dental.

Links you may be interested in: CEREC crowns, emergency dentist

Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Bonding, Invisalign, Porcelain Veneers

Will my daughter’s splotched teeth be covered with insurance?

Hello,

My daughter recently had her braces off and now her teeth have splotches on them. She was born with less than normal tooth enamel. So I was wondering if my dental insurance will pay for this?

Thanks,

– Teri in Nebraska

Teri,

If her teeth didn’t have the splotches before braces, then the damage is probably due to a lack of good brushing while the braces were in place. When you wear braces it is good to keep a toothbrush with you at all times because of the importance of keeping your teeth clean after every meal. Otherwise, the enamel can become damaged.

Since you mentioned that your daughter’s tooth enamel was damaged before braces then your dental insurance should be under some obligation.

Although, the insurance carrier is only liable to repair physical damage to the teeth. So I wouldn’t think of it as them covering it, because that usually means they will pay for the whole procedure. It is much more likely that they will help you pay for the repair to your daughter’s teeth. Your insurance is only committed to making the repair functionally sound. And my guess is you want the teeth to look beautiful in addition to being functional.

For beautiful results, you need an expert cosmetic dentist. Not just any family, general dentist will be able to do this kind of cosmetic work well. Cosmetic dentistry requires extensive training beyond dental school. It may be more expensive to get the results you want but when done well, it will be well worth it.

Dental bonding or porcelain veneers are options that would work to repair the splotches.

I hope this information was helpful.

This post is sponsored by Gilbert dentist Vista Dorada Dental.

Related link: Lumineers, Invisalign

Dental Bonding, Pediatric Dentistry

My child’s broken tooth

I feel so bad for my nine year old daughter. Yesterday, she fell down and broke one of her front teeth. Also, I just noticed a horizontal crack in another one. When I took her to the dentist, they didn’t seem concerned. Basically I was told that he doesn’t have the availability right now to take care of it. He said it should be fine for three months and needs that time to desensitize. Have you heard of this waiting period? I really want her to have it fixed as soon as possible.

Thanks for your time.

– Kendra from Arizona

Kendra,

If it is your desire to have this taken care of immediately, there is really no reason to wait. It would be ideal if you still have the broken piece of the tooth. If you find a cosmetic dentist that has an artistic eye, the tooth will actually be able to be reattached.

Please do your homework though and don’t go to just any dentist. Make sure the dentist is passionate about cosmetic dentistry and has undergone the additional training beyond dental school. From what you have described, the location of your daughter’s tooth is quite prominent and it will be important the the dentist is experienced.

Dental bonding will work to restore the look of the tooth if you don’t have the piece that has come off. As time goes by and your daughter gets older, the pulp in the tooth will be smaller. At that time, a single crown may be more appropriate based on damage that has been done.

Best of luck!

This post is sponsored by Gilbert dentist Vista Dorada Dental.

Related links: emergency dentist, pediatric dentist

Cosmetic Dentistry, Snap-On Smile

I want to fix my teeth spacing

There is some spacing between my teeth that I have never liked it. The truth is that I cannot afford cosmetic dentistry. It is just too expensive for me. Do you know of anything that can be done that is a quick fix to make my teeth look straight?

– Billy from Iowa

Billy,

There is an appliance called the Snap-On Smile that may work for your situation. This is an inexpensive way to temporarily fix your tooth spacing.

All that is required is for the dentist to take a simple impression of your teeth and select the shade and smile design you want. Then it’s sent off to the lab for them to create it.

It simply snaps into place over your existing teeth giving the illusion of straight, white teeth. You can expect it to last for approximately three to five years if you take care of it and the cost is in the $1000-$1500 range. This is significantly less expensive than porcelain veneers which run about that same amount for the cost of one veneer.

You may also be interested in dental bonding, which is another less expensive way to fix your tooth spacing. This all depends on how many and how large your spaces are. With this treatment, a tooth-colored composite is applied to the ends of your teeth and then it is shaped to mimic the natural look of your tooth to fill in the gaps. It is important that you visit an expert cosmetic dentist for this type of work. Lastly, tooth bonding will last much longer than a Snap-On Smile.

This post is sponsored by Gilbert dentist Vista Dorada Dental.

Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Crowns, Lumineers

My crowns are ugly

Quite awhile ago, like 20 years or so, I had porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns placed on my front teeth. I hate the dark line that is evident when I smile. Do you know if anything can be done to improve their appearance or change this? I have a big smile and it really bothers me. Would Lumineers work? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

– Carolyn in California

Carolyn,

It is possible to get that beautiful smile you are hoping for without the dark lines. For an expert cosmetic dentist, the treatment is relatively simple. A general dentist does not have the artistic ability required to make this transformation beautiful. An experienced cosmetic dentist can place crowns made of all porcelain. There is no metal in them, so they will look just like your natural teeth.

I hope this information was helpful.

This post is sponsored by Gilbert dentist Vista Dorada dental.

Related links: porcelain veneers, CEREC crowns

Cosmetic Dentistry, Lumineers, Porcelain Veneers

Lumineers and tooth sensitivity

I was wondering if getting Lumineers will help with how sensitive my teeth are? I have struggled with my general physical health because my teeth have affected what I can eat and drink. I feel like Lumineers are my last chance to get my body back on track. I have tried many different things but my teeth hinder me in so many ways. I have high Ph and my teeth are very sensitive.

– Bryce in Nebraska

Dear Bryce,

The good news is that many tooth sensitivities can be treated with Lumineers or other brands of porcelain veneers. First thing is first, you need to find an expert cosmetic dentist that truly understands these types of sensitivities. Your situation needs to be adequately analyzed so that the source or sources of your irritation are pin-pointed.

Sometimes a root canal may be needed to address sensitivity prior to placing porcelain veneers. An experienced cosmetic dentist will be able to perform root canals on your front teeth safely and simply. You can have the beautiful smile you deserve without the pain.

There are many reasons you could be victim to tooth sensitivity including fillings that are leaking or have not been sealed properly; a sensitive spot on the gum line; a misalignment in your bite; tooth decay; tooth grinding; or other reasons.

That is why it is important to have a thorough exam by a cosmetic dentist that knows what they are doing. You won’t want to go ahead with your smile makeover until you are confident that you know exactly what is causing your tooth sensitivity.

This post is sponsored by Gilbert dentist Vista Dorada Dental.

Related links: mercury-free dentist, sedation dentistry

Pediatric Dentistry

My child’s teeth are in bad shape

My daughter is five years old and she needs a lot of dental work done. She has two cavities on her molars that are pretty deep into the tooth. And two other molars are decayed and have lost their structure. In fact, about one-third of the tooth is gone. I don’t know what to do. Should I have the decayed teeth extracted? I really don’t want to have her teeth pulled if we don’t need to. She is also complaining about pain during chewing in one of the right molars. Do I need a pediatric dentist now? Unfortunately, she is not cooperative at the dentist which is a major reason we are in this situation.

– Carrie from Nebraska

Carrie,

From what you have described it sounds like you need to visit a pediatric dentist. At her age, she only has baby teeth in her mouth so eventually she will lose them. But, she does require those teeth to be in good shape so she can eat and keep the spaces for the upcoming permanent teeth. If the teeth are removed, then space maintainers will be needed so the permanent molars don’t cause crowding to her other teeth. There are pediatric dentists that do sedation dentistry. It is worth it if that is what is needed to get her smile healthy again. Cavities and decay at this age are largely due to the frequency in which children eat. From what it sounds like with the condition of her teeth now, she may be eating all day long, asking for treats constantly, etc. You need to discourage this kind of behavior and allow enough time between meals for her hunger to build up so you can break this habit. Over time, her dietary behavior will improve which will improve her dental health as well.

Dentists understand that kids will lose their teeth so they tend to think more temporarily. A crown may be used to treat the decayed molar versus extracting the tooth.

Good luck to you. I hope this information was helpful.

This post is sponsored by Gilbert dentist Vista Dorada Dental.

Related link: Sleep dentistry; dental anxiety

Cosmetic Dentistry

How do I get rid of white spots?

I have always had white spots on my teeth ever since I was a kid. When I was a teenager, I also had braces to fix the alignment of my teeth. I think the braces actually made the white spots worse on my front teeth. My family dentist that I have been going to for quite some time said there is nothing wrong with my teeth and that they are perfectly healthy for my age. The problem is that the white spots make me want to hide my smile.

I have been looking into teeth whitening and porcelain veneers as a possibility to correct this problem. What I’m wondering is, would over the counter white strips, professional whitening, or Zoom whitening make the spots stand out more? This is my thought since they may end up whiter than the teeth that do not have marks? Or would you recommend porcelain veneers or Lumineers for this issue?

– Karen in Michigan

Karen,

Dentists are trained to fix things, bottom line. So, this mentality of “don’t fix what isn’t broken” is not surprising. It sounds like your dentist is offering an honest opinion and truly believes that your teeth are fine. To treat the white spots, you need to seek out the expertise of a true cosmetic dentist.

Teeth whitening will likely not do the trick, even though many dentists may go this route. You are correct that when you have spots on your teeth, the whitening may actually make them to end up looking worse.

Depending on how big the spots are, tooth bonding may be the way to go. Or porcelain veneers would remedy your problem giving you the beautiful smile that you are after.

You need to have a consultation with an experienced cosmetic dentist. They may recommend a combination of treatments. For example, it may make sense to whiten first and then have the spots fixed. There are many simple, long-lasting solutions that when performed by an expert cosmetic dentist will transform the way your teeth look.

Stick to your regular dentist for your routine dental care, but seek the talents of a cosmetic dentist for your white spots.

This post is sponsored by Gilbert dentist Vista Dorada Dental.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Less expensive porcelain veneers

I am in search of inexpensive porcelain veneers. I have had veneers for over 10 years now and I think my teeth have shifted a bit. Also, I never had veneers on my bottom teeth and I would like to have them done too. Unfortunately, this would not be covered by my dental insurance so I am in search of a less expensive way to have this done. Have you heard of graduate students performing this type of work at a discounted price? I’d be willing to travel if the price is right.

Thanks!

– Tanya in Oregon

Tanya,

It may be a possibility to find lower cost porcelain veneers if you are willing to travel. Fees change in different states and sometimes you can find less expensive services in smaller cities. That said, I would not compromise on the quality. Cosmetic dentistry truly is an art form and to be done well should be performed by an expert. Therefore, I would not recommend soliciting a dental school to have this type of work done.

Cosmetic dentistry and dentistry are two different things. For example, a general dentist is trained to fix things whereas a cosmetic dentist must possess an artistic ability to do them well. I would encourage you to wait until you can afford to have them done correctly and beautifully. An alternative route may leave you unhappy and requiring to have them fixed or redone down the road.

This post is sponsored by Gilbert dentist Vista Dorada Dental.

Other links you may be interested in: affordable dentistry; Lumineers