best cosmetic dentist Archives

Trying to decide between crowns or Lumineers?

September 13, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I am seeing a cosmetic dentist to close the gap between my some front teeth. They aren’t the ones right in front, but the ones next to the front ones. I feel like my smile has always been unbalanced and I’m ready to get it fixed. When I started looking around online, Lumineers seem like a good way to go so the dentist doesn’t need to remove any of my natural tooth structure. I really like that. But when I met with the dentist, he told me most types of porcelain veneers have problems and he wants me to get crowns. Is this really the only solution?

-Arnold in Georgia

Arnold,

If this “cosmetic dentist” is telling you that he has problems with porcelain veneers, it doesn’t matter if it’s Lumineers or another brand, he probably doesn’t have the expertise to place them. Not every dentist that claims he is a cosmetic dentist has the artistic ability or knowledge of dental bonding techniques to create a beautiful result. So don’t press him out of his comfort zone, or you may end up regretting it. When porcelain veneers are done correctly, they can last for well over 10 years or more. It may be that your dentist is much more comfortable with placing crowns. But, unless the teeth are decayed and require porcelain crowns, that is not the ideal treatment since such a large portion of the tooth must be removed to fit a crown.

It may be time to find seek a second opinion from an expert cosmetic dentist. Most dentists would suggest the least-invasive treatment. Before moving forward with any type of cosmetic dentistry, be sure to check out the dentist’s credentials and ask to see examples of cases that are similar to yours. Best of luck!

Why do I have a black line around my crown?

September 11, 2021 by Brian Sartin

So I had a crown done awhile ago now. My regular family dentist did the work. I was using a bright flashlight the other night to get a good look at my teeth. And when I shined the light on my crown it appeared transparent. I noticed a little bit of black right around my gums. What is that? Should I have gone to a cosmetic dentist to have the crown done in the first place? I don’t like the way it looks.

– Michelle in Nebraska

Michelle,

Based on what you have described, the crown you have in your mouth sounds like it is a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown. It doesn’t mean that your dentist did anything wrong or that anything is wrong with the functionality of the tooth. That said, a cosmetic dentist places a much higher emphasis on the aesthetics of dentistry. So an excellent cosmetic dentist may have recommended an all porcelain crown.

Some dentists still prefer to use porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns on back molars because the metal structure provides a strong foundation for back teeth. These types of crowns hold up well from a structural standpoint and can withstand extreme biting force. But with the advances in bonding technologies today, many cosmetic dentists are confident that all porcelain crowns will hold up just find on molars. Anyway, the black that is beginning to appear at your gumline is the metal showing through the porcelain. Or if you had a root canal on the tooth, the tooth can appear darker than normal because there is no longer blood circulating to that tooth.

For future reference, you may be interested in learning more about CEREC crowns. These days are also known as same day crowns, because all of the work is done in one visit. That means you don’t have to wear an uncomfortable temporary.

It is still not a bad idea to get into your dentist to have it looked out so the possibility of any tooth decay can be ruled out. Again, it sounds like the metal that is visible, but better to be safe than sorry. Lastly, if this is a indeed a front tooth that you are referring to, then a cosmetic dentist may be the way to go. They care much more about how the end result will look. And all porcelain will look so beautiful that no one will no you had any work done. Good luck!

Can I get some bling on my teeth, like Beyonce?

September 9, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I am admittedly kind of obsessed with Beyonce. Well, she had an awesome spread I saw in a recent magazine where she had something that looked like bling or glitter on her upper teeth. It was wicked looking and I cannot get that hot look out of my mind. It almost had the appearance of a French tip manicure. I have been looking into porcelain veneers and want to know if I can get “glitter” veneers? Is this possible? I will pay whatever it takes.

– Aliyah in Georgia

Aliyah,

Stars do set trends, but this one may not have the staying power. Remember, porcelain veneers are a permanent cosmetic dentistry treatment. Glitter teeth for celebrities aren’t far fetched, but think how this kind of look would go over at your next job interview or picking your kids up from school. There is no way to know if the treatment she had on her teeth was indeed porcelain veneers, but it is unlikely. Let’s remember, it may not even be real. Did you ever consider it was edited onto the photo after the fact?

Celebs jazz up their looks everyday and these smile fads come and go. But, keep in mind the “go” part. It would not be advised that you move forward with blinging up your teeth. That said, a cosmetic dentist does have the capability to customize porcelain veneers. An expert cosmetic dentist can create virtually any kind of smile design from sexy and sophisticated, to playful or sultry, you name it. But most cosmetic dentists will encourage you to think long term with your new look. Mess around and play up your makeup or outfit, but it would likely be advised that you keep your smile all-natural to the greatest extent possible.

There are some appliques that are called removable grills that can jazz up your smile. But please strongly consider if this is worth it or not? We see patients into see us that have broken, chipped, or otherwise permanently damaged teeth with these sort of temporary treatments.

Is there Hope for My Lumineers Nightmare?

September 3, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I literally spent thousands of dollars to have Lumineers done across my four front teeth. They didn’t feel right from the moment my dentist put them on, but they told me I would adjust. Sadly, I have not been given the opportunity, because the darn things keep falling off. Seriously, not two days later after they were put on, I was back in the office having one of them put on again. A couple days later, another one popped off. This has been going on for months and I don’t think I’ve gone two weeks without having to go back in. I just finished eating dinner and I realized my teeth felt funny, so I went and looked and two of them are gone. TWO! I think I must have swallowed them with dinner. Now that’s a concern for obvious reasons, but I’m also worried the dentist is going to charge me for a whole new set because I don’t have anything for him to glue back on this time. I really wish I had never had them done in the first place. What should I do?

Thanks,

Peter in Washington

Dear Peter,

First off, swallowing your Lumineers probably isn’t a huge cause for concern. These things tend to pass without issue and you probably won’t even notice when it leaves your system. The fact that they keep coming off, however, is a concern. Your dentist is bonding them wrong, and he should have figured that out by now. Or he should have come up with an alternate treatment if he couldn’t get them to work. If you want to stick with Lumineers, you should find a cosmetic dentist who does them frequently and has a high rate of success.

There was nothing that you could have done to prevent the issues- it’s a technique error. As such, it’s your dentist’s responsibility to repair or replace them. If you feel confident enough that your dentist can perform an alternate treatment, perhaps porcelain veneers, you might have some success. The only other real alternative is to ask for a refund and find a cosmetic dentist who can repair or redo the work.

Also, you probably don’t want to hear this now, but the best cosmetic dentists refuse to place Lumineers. Each has their own reasons, but the majority feel that a much more beautiful result can be done with other brands of porcelain veneers. So, if you aren’t confident that your current dentist can give you a smile you will fall in love with, it’s time to move on. Not just any dentist can do cosmetic dentistry well. But since it’s not a regulated field within dentistry, any dentist can claim to do it without any extra training. So be careful in asking your dentist to do something he isn’t completely confident in. Or you could be looking at a bigger nightmare than you are already dealing with. Thank you for your question. Hopefully, it helps someone else considering Lumineers.

Is a digital smile makeover legit?

September 2, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I am very intrigued by the ad I saw on television for a digital smile makeover. I know we live in the digital age and all, but how can they pull off something so individualized? I would love to fix my smile. My teeth are discolored and oddly shaped. I’d love to hear you thoughts? Is it too good to be true?

-Sharon in Nevada

Sharon,

A digital smile makeover is a real thing. There is software that has been around for over 20 years now that enables the cosmetic dentist to take a photograph of you and then digitally enhance it to show you exactly how our new smile will look. It is a fabulous tool that simplifies the smile design process.

That said, you make it sound as if the television ad you saw will enable you to do this independently. Unfortunately, I have never heard of any company that offers digital smile makeovers to the patient directly. You need to find a talented cosmetic dentist to make the digital image process a reality. Most cosmetic dentists that utilize this software in their practice will offer it as part of the smile design process at no extra charge. Typically, it is just another step in the smile design and consultation process.

It is a powerful tool that can realistically show you exactly how your porcelain veneers will look on your face and complexion. And more often than not, the patient will move forward with the services once they visualize it.

But you have to realize that not every dentist can create a beautiful smile makeover, whether they have this software of not. Only two percent of dentists have the extensive training and experience to deliver lifelike, stunning results. Cosmetic dentistry is truly like an art.

Many excellent cosmetic dentists that do not have the digital software available in their office will use provisional veneers. It is a temporary set made out of plastic that mimics what your porcelain veneers will look like. Then you can snap them onto your teeth to see exactly how they look on you. Then, if any changes are required, they can be done before the permanent porcelain veneers are done. Most expert cosmetic dentists will have multiple opportunities for you to see exactly what your smile looks like before it is cemented. They may call this process their beautiful smile guarantee.

So, the best piece of advice I can give you is to focus on the dentist’s experience with similar cases, training and credentials. The tools they choose to deliver beautiful results vary. But the most important piece of the puzzle is selecting the right cosmetic dentist that you can trust.

Thank you for your question.

What is the best to fix my white spots – Zoom, porcelain veneers or something else?

August 29, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I have had white spots on my teeth my entire life. My mom told me that they developed on my teeth when I was very young. I ended up with braces as a teen and I have a feeling that didn’t help my situation. The white spots on my front teeth are very noticeable. I’ve been with the same family dentist for as long as I can remember. He told me that my teeth are healthy. He said that my teeth are in good condition and I’m only in my twenties. So, I shouldn’t try to fix something that doesn’t need to be fixed. But, I hate my white spots. I find myself being self conscious. So, I’ve been researching different options and I keep coming back to teeth whitening with something like Zoom or maybe porcelain veneers. Would Crest Whitestrips be strong enough for something like this? I’m afraid Zoom would actually make the white spots whiter. Does that make sense? Maybe porcelain veneers would be the best fit. I’d love to hear your feedback?

– Carrie in New York

Carrie,

If it’s not broken, don’t fix it, is very typical of general dentists. His response is quite telling in his experience and understanding of cosmetic dentistry. He is being honest and likely has your best interest in mind. But, it truly doesn’t sounds like he is a cosmetic dentist. And that’s okay. Stick with him for your regular routine care. But, you need to find an excellent cosmetic dentist in your area to address the white spots. There is a fundamental different between general dentists and cosmetic dentists. A cosmetic dentist is like an artist. They believe that everybody deserves a beautiful smile. An experienced cosmetic dentist will also have extensive training beyond dental school. So, it sounds like it’s time to seek another opinion. A general dentist is trained to fix things and has a more functional mindset.

As far as the correct treatment option, teeth whitening treatments like Zoom whitening, will not work for you. Your instincts are right. Whitening the spots, may make them worse. Steer clear of any dentist that recommends whitening treatments.

An expert cosmetic dentist will be able to give you specific treatment options. If the spots aren’t too large, you may be a dental bonding candidate. Or, porcelain veneers may be the better option for you. It’s difficult to give recommendations without having seen your case in person. So, you need to find a reputable cosmetic dentist and ask to see examples of cases similar to yours. It is also possible to have the teeth whitened to brighten the majority of your smile. Then, you could get the spots fixed and the cosmetic dentistry could be made to blend in perfectly with the surrounding teeth.

Thank you for your question. Hopefully, this gives you some options to consider.

Was CEREC the wrong choice for a front tooth?

August 29, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I am starting to doubt my dentist that placed a CEREC crown on my front tooth. I was sold when I heard that by choosing CEREC, I wouldn’t have to deal with the inconvenience of a temporary crown. Having the crown done in only one office visit was very appealing. Well, I left town the day after I had the crown placed. I was shocked when the crown came off the next day. I was freaking out and so my friend referred me to her personal dentist. Her dentist seemed comfortable with CEREC and reattached the crown for me. I don’t love the look of the new crown. The color doesn’t look quite right and I think it appears a little longer than the neighboring tooth. The following week when I returned home, I called my dentist to explain what had happened. My dentist offered to have the crown redone. But now I’m starting to wonder if CEREC was a bad choice to replace a broken front tooth? Maybe I should move forward with the traditional crown placement method and go through with the temporary and permanent crown. And I’m even beginning to doubt that having my dentist redo it is the right call either. I’m feeling overwhelmed and don’t know what to do. Can you give me some advice?

-Jen in New York

It is always difficult to provide specific recommendations without having seen your case in person. That said, I’m sorry that you are having to go through this. The bottom line is that a front tooth, single crown is very difficult to get right. Not just any dentist can pull this off. Cosmetic dentistry is an art. Most dentists come from a functional mindset of fixing a problem. Very few (less than two percent) actually have the artistic beauty to deliver beautiful, natural-looking results, especially on a front tooth.

The color may not be right because of the milling machine that was used to fabricate the CEREC crown. Typically, there is a lot of communicator and collaboration on the color of a crown between the cosmetic dentist and the ceramist. But the machine short cuts that process and the CEREC machine will result in a factory color for the crown. A CEREC crown is milled form a single ceramic block, which is provided from the factory. Often times, dentists like using CEREC technology, but agree that they may not be the best fit for a front tooth crown. But there are some highly skilled cosmetic dentists that may be able to deliver a beautiful front tooth CEREC crown. Most excellent cosmetic dentists would choose a traditional porcelain crown so they could perfectly match the surrounding translucency, color and exact shape.

Another cautionary sign is that the crown should not have come off in the first place. So, it is quite possible that the dental bonding wasn’t done properly to begin with. Therefore, you may be correct in questioning your dentist’s ability with cosmetic dentistry. It is nice that he is offering to redo the crown, but you have to wonder if he will successful bond it in place this time around. This may be beyond his personal skill set.

All this to be said, it may be time to seek a second opinion from an expert cosmetic dentist before moving forward with the crown replacement. Meet with another dentist, one that has experience and training in cosmetic dentistry. Specifically ask if they have done front tooth crowns and ask to see examples of the work. Then, you can better assess what may be the best way to go.

Again, it is hard to tell you exactly what to do without having seen your case. Hopefully this gives you some things to consider before moving forward in getting the porcelain crown replaced.

I was told I’m not a porcelain veneers candidate. Is that true?

August 28, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I am so disappointed to hear my cosmetic dentist tell me I’m not a candidate for porcelain veneers. He blamed it on my overbite because my top teeth come down over my bottom teeth when me mouth is closed. So, his solution is six porcelain crowns on my top teeth. He also mentioned that crowns were the way to go because of tetracycline stains on my front teeth. Does this sounds like an appropriate treatment plan? I really was hoping to get porcelain veneers because I don’t want to have my front teeth all shaved down to stubs, unless it’s the only way to fix my smile. Also, can my bottom teeth be whitened to match the top ones after the cosmetic dentistry is complete?

Please let me know your thoughts?

Thanks,

Tami in Nevada

Tami,

It’s a good thing you reached out. Your intuition is right. You don’t want crowns on all your teeth because there are other options where you don’t have to have them ground down. And the overbite concern the dentist provided is also inaccurate. Porcelain veneers are applied to the front of the teeth, so no work needs to be done on the back of the front teeth. For individuals with an overbite, porcelain veneers are the better choice.

Here is what is likely happening. Not every dentist is experienced in doing cosmetic dentistry. It actually takes extensive training beyond dental school. It sounds like porcelain crowns are within your dentist’s comfort zone and porcelain veneers are not. So, first of all, you never want to push a dentist out of their comfort zone. But your overbite is not an issue that should exclude you from porcelain veneers.

Also, not every dentist is experienced in treating tetracycline stains. This kind of stains requires an expert cosmetic dentist. t sounds like it’s time to find an excellent cosmetic dentist in your area. You can still see your general dentist for routine exams, cleaning and maintenance. If you can find a cosmetic dentist that is accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) that would be a great starting point.

Then, during the consultation, listen to their recommendations. Find out about their training and experience, specifically with tetracycline cases and an overbite. Porcelain veneers can be used to successfully treat your case, but ask to see before and after photos of cases similar to yours.

In regard to whitening your lower teeth, it takes a powerful formulation of teeth whitening agents to treat tetracycline stains. Kor whitening may be the best choice to address that. But an excellent cosmetic dentist will be able to present you with all the options and will absolutely be able to match the new porcelain veneers to your bottom teeth.

A beautiful smile can be yours, when you find the right cosmetic dentist. Thank you for your question. Hopefully, this was helpful.

I want a Hollywood smile with Lumineers. Not generic knock-off veneers!

August 28, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I have decided to go with Lumineers because from everything I have seen they are the best option to give me a glamorous Hollywood smile. My dentist is telling me he doesn’t offer Lumineers, but he can give me a beautiful smile makeover with other brands. But I really want the brand name Lumineers, not some cheap knock-off veneers. Do you think if I offer to pay him more he will give me the real deal?

– Serena in Tennessee

Serena,

Lumineers are very heavily marketing by Den-Mat Corporation, the company that manufactures them. Many people are attracted to Lumineers due to all the advertising hype associated with the brand.

You may be shocked to learn that many dentists don’t like Lumineers. They come with strict laboratory restrictions and often times the end result is not what you are envisioning. There is another factor to consider in that you may not be a Lumineers candidates. You also may not realize that there are many brands of porcelain veneers. And also many brands of no-prep ultra-thin porcelain veneers. So there are many options when it comes to getting that stunning Hollywood smile design.

What is much more important than any brand name, is finding the best cosmetic dentist in your area to place them. To do beautiful cosmetic dentistry requires extensive training after dental school. And just because a dentist says they do porcelain veneers or Lumineers, there is no guarantee you will end up with a beautiful smile.

You would be wise to listen to this dentist and learn more about his or her opinion of Lumineers. Now if you absolutely have your mind made up, you can call around and find a dentist that will place Lumineers. But hopefully this has you considering what you really want? If your end goal is a Hollywood smile but because of the way your teeth are aligned, they end up looking bulky and longer than normal, than it doesn’t matter what brand they are. Right? Think it through. Who wants ugly “brand name” veneers?

When selecting the right cosmetic dentist, you also want to be sure that you check out their credentials and ask to see examples of their work similar to yours. Offering more money to this dentist likely isn’t going to change the opinion of this current dentist. Why would you want a dentist to place Lumineers if they don’t like them and have no experience placing them?

Far too many people get lured in by the appeal of Lumineers. The reality is, it’s all about the skill of the cosmetic dentist that places them!

Will Lumineers give me horse teeth?

August 23, 2021 by Brian Sartin

Every time I think I’m ready to move forward with Lumineers, I see someone that looks like they have horse teeth. But I’ve had it with my ugly, discolored teeth. One of my front teeth even has a crack in it. I feel like every conversation I have, someone is staring at my teeth. So I know I need to do something, I just don’t want to end up with a smile looking worse off than before I started. I can tell when people get dental work done and I can’t afford to blow it. How do I know my Lumineers will be natural-looking and not look like Mr. Ed?

– Sandra in West Virginia

Sandra,

You are smart to do your research before moving forward with any cosmetic dentistry treatment. You care also correct, in that there are far too many botched smile makeovers and many are from Lumineers.

What you may not realize is that Lumineers are just a particular brand of porcelain veneers. They are ultra-thin and do not require any tooth preparation. But many patients feel that the result is unnatural and bulky. Many skilled cosmetic dentists don’t like Lumineers either because the brand comes with the requirement that they be done in the manufacturer’s lab.

Instead of setting your mind on a particular treatment option, you will be much better served to research the best cosmetic dentist in your geographic area. Not just any dentist does beautiful porcelain veneers. This makes it difficult as a patient because you typically will trust that a dentist knows what he or she is doing. But to do beautiful cosmetic dentistry requires extensive advanced training beyond dental school. There are highly sophisticated bonding techniques and technologies that need to be mastered.

Traditional porcelain veneers do require a very tiny portion of your tooth to be shaved down. This intimates some people but this step is imperative in getting a seamless transition between the veneer and the tooth.

A great cosmetic dentist wants you to fall in love with your smile and not walk away with any regrets. Many excellent cosmetic dentists will even offer a beautiful smile guarantee. This enables you to see exactly what your new veneers will look like before they are permanently bonded into place. Ask to see examples of their work and of cases similar to yours. And of course, check out their credentials.