Tag Archives: porcelain veneers

Invisalign

Protruded teeth

I have teeth that protrude and wondered what my options are for fixing them?

Amanda B.- Cincinnati

Amanda,

When it comes to dealing with protruding teeth, you have three general options:

  • Traditional Braces: These are the same wire and metal brackets that people think of when braces come to mind. They take about 2-3 years. I would go to an orthodontist for this type of treatment. If your teeth are very protruded, you might need surgical orthodontics.
  • Invisalign: These use clear aligners to straighten your teeth. They’ll work in about half the time as traditional braces, but won’t work if your teeth are protruded too far.
  • Porcelain Veneers: These won’t straighten your teeth, but will make them appear straight. Again, it would depend on how protruded they are as to whether this would be a good option.

I suggest you see a cosmetic dentist to see which of these options best suits your situation.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

Braces

Didn’t remove braces

When I was a teenager I had braces. My parents died and I was put in the foster system. One thing led to another, and I ran away. Because I was on my own, I never had braces removed. I’m really embarrassed about that. I’m in a job where I can afford some dental care. Is there anything I can do about it now?

Kevin, Austin, TX

Kevin,

The only thing you can at this point is to have the braces removed. After that procedure is completed, you can see what kind of damage was done to your teeth. it is possible you may need to get either porcelain crowns or maybe even porcelain veneers.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

Crooked Teeth

Straightening teeth as an adult

I’m 41 and can finally afford to get my teeth straightened. The problem is when I see adults with braces I think they look ridiculous. Is there another way to straighten teeth?

Daniel- Madison, WI

Daniel,

There are a couple of ways to get your teeth straightened without traditional braces:

The first is to use Invisalign. These aligners cannot be seen, even at a conversational distance. They also straighten your teeth in about half the time of traditional braces.

Another option is to get porcelain veneers. These don’t actually straighten your teeth, but will make them look straight. They can be done in about two appointments. One to design your smile and the other to have them bonded on.

You and your dentist can discuss which is the best option for you.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

Affordable Dentistry, Teeth Whitening

A more affordable treatment

I am looking for ways to make my dental care more affordable and I was wondering if dental bonding will save me money over porcelain veneers?

My teeth are very yellow even though I brush my teeth after every meal. It seems that you can see through the ends of my two front teeth. I’m unhappy with my smile but I don’t want it to look fake.

After the research I’ve done, I don’t think I want to have porcelain veneers done. They seem like they may not look natural and they are extremely expensive. I guess I’m wondering if simply whitening my teeth will work or if tooth bonding is a better choice for me. Or maybe I should get the bleaching done first and then the bonding? I don’t want to spend a lot of money and then have my teeth turn yellow again either. Can you explain how bonding works and let me know your thoughts.

Thanks,

– Tanya from Florida

Tanya,

After hearing your case, I don’t think dental bonding is the alternative that is right for you just because you are looking to save money on porcelain veneers. Teeth whitening sounds like the best solution from what you have described. This is because good dental bonding will end up costing almost as much as veneers and it won’t last as long. In fact it would probably only last about one-tenth as long as veneers.

Teeth bleaching will take care of the yellow color of your teeth and they will not return to their original color. Your teeth will pick up stains as time passes, but you can always do some touch up bleaching to keep your white new smile.

This post is sponsored by Glibert dentist Vista Dorada Dental.

Related link: affordable dentistry

Invisalign

I want to fix my cooked tooth

I really want to straighten my teeth, particularly one of my front teeth. I have received conflicting recommendations about what would be the best way to solve my problem and I am just not sure who to trust. My right front tooth is pushed way behind the other ones which means it is very crooked. Do you know if Invisalign is an option for me versus the conventional wire and bracket braces? Or maybe I should have this tooth pulled. Will that give me more options?

– Sal from Texas

Sal,

Invisalign is a safe and effective way to straighten your teeth in about half the time as traditional braces. Typically if you are an adult and your teeth are crooked, then you are a candidate. Porcelain veneers are another option that can be used to give the appearance of straight white teeth too.

Pulling your tooth would be an absolute last resort. This is because your teeth would always look different because you would have an uneven number of teeth in front. There are many things that can be done today to make your teeth appear straight but it is important that the symmetry isn’t thrown off because you are missing a tooth. Your smile just wouldn’t look right with five teeth instead of six showing. So even if a dentist is recommending this tooth be removed, you may want to seek another opinion.

It is difficult to make specific recommendations without having seen your case. If you find a cosmetic dentist that does Invisalign, that that would be a good dentist to consult with about what is the best treatment for you.

Best of luck to you.

This post is sponsored by Gilbert dentist Vista Dorada Dental.

Other links you may be interested in: emergency dentist, affordable dentist

Cosmetic Dentistry, Invisalign, Porcelain Veneers

My front teeth are too big.

I really don’t like my smile because I have two really big front teeth. They are long too and actually stick out a bit from my other teeth.

Is there anything I can do to fix them? I’ve been looking into the different options with cosmetic dentistry, but I can’t seem to find something that I think will work. Whatever the case, I don’t want to end up doing something that makes my teeth look bigger.

Do you think I should have them extracted and replaced with dental implants? From what I can tell, implants seem like a good option.

– Jade in New Jersey

Jade,

There are many things that can be done for your case based on what you have described. That said, dental implants is not the way to go. Please don’t have your otherwise perfectly healthy teeth removed. That would be a bit extreme.

The first thing you should do is find an excellent cosmetic dentist. They will be able to evaluate your specific situation and make recommendations to give you a beautiful smile. They are the experts, so you don’t have to take the matter into your own hands.

Some possibilities that may work to make your teeth smaller may be done using diamond burs or strips. This will carefully file them down to make them more narrow and shorter. Then a retainer is a possibility to gently return them into alignment with your other teeth.

After they have been shaped and trimmed, Invisalign is also an option that may work to reposition them. These invisible braces straighten teeth in half the time as conventional braces. And no one will ever know you are wearing them.

Or if they are very large and need to be trimmed down significantly, they can be covered with porcelain veneers. This will give you a beautiful smile and you can work with the exact shape and color so you love your new smile.

Again, I can’t stress the importance of seeking the talents of a true cosmetic dentist. Not just any family dentist will be able to do this type of work well.

Best of luck to you.

This post is sponsored by Gilbert dentist Vista Dorada Dental.

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

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