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FAQ About Common Cosmetic Smile Problems
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| << Previous FAQ Page 3 | Ask the Cosmetic Dentists' Index | Next FAQ Page 5 >> |
Q: What can be done to fix rotated, misshapen, or chipped teeth?
A: Chipped or misshapen teeth can ruin an otherwise pleasing smile. The long-term restoration of choice is porcelain veneers. A less expensive (but less durable) option may be a bonding, which can usually be performed in one visit. Done properly, both porcelain veneers and bonding can be applied, color-matched and shaped to make your teeth appear natural again. Check out our Before & After Photo Gallery for examples of these cosmetic dental procedures.
Q: What can I do about my uneven teeth?
A: Cosmetic contouring, porcelain veneers, orthodontics, bonding or crowns can be used to correct this. We usually recommend porcelain veneers to get the best aesthetic results. The best way to determine the best option for you is through a cosmetic consultation, and we have a couple of ways to do them. One option is that we can do just a smile analysis, but this has its pros and cons. Essentially what we do is perform a "look see" to see what the general situation is with your smile and our first impressions of what may work for you (whether it be whitening, bonding, veneers, etc.). We necessarily cannot get very specific with this approach though because we have not performed a cosmetic dental examination of you, determined if you have gum or bone loss, looked at x-rays, etc. -- one or more of which may reveal a number of material issues that could affect our preliminary cosmetic treatment thoughts for you.
The second option, and our recommended approach, is our more detailed cosmetic consultation. This consult comes after you have had us perform a full exam, x-rays, cleaning, and a number of other diagnostic procedures. At that point, through computerized cosmetic imaging, etc. we can develop a customized smile design that is very detailed and specific for you. To get to that point, it takes 2 visits and an investment on your part of about $310 for the detailed cosmetic initial exam, full series of x-rays, cleaning, etc.
Q: I have a "gummy" smile. Can anything be done about that?
A: For most people the answer is, "absolutely!" Gum sculpting or "gingival contouring" as it is sometimes called, is one of the most common cosmetic procedures we perform. A symmetrical and even gum line is one of the most important aspects of getting a beautiful smile. We use an electrosurge unit or a laser to contour the gum tissue and place it in the position that "Mother Nature intended. Most people report that after the procedure is performed it feels like a "pizza burn" - like when you have eaten pizza that may have been a bit too hot. Usually, we can do other work like bonding or veneers on the same day.
Q: How can I correct severely discolored teeth from tetracycline?
A: Tetracycline is an antibiotic used to treat a number of illnesses. One of its major drawbacks is that it causes severe staining in teeth if it is used in growing children. These teeth have a gray or dark brown appearance to them. Such discolored teeth may not satisfactorily respond to whitening treatments. Porcelain veneers can be a miraculous answer for those patients who thought that nothing could be done for their teeth.
Q: I have a gap between my two front teeth. How can it be closed?
A: There are a number of options to correct this problem, which may include one or more of the following: porcelain veneers, crowns, bonding, and orthodontics. Click on our Before & After Photo Gallery for examples of patients with gaps in their teeth that we corrected.
Q: What can I do to change my teeth that are too small to make them bigger?
A: There are a number of options including porcelain veneers, crowns, and bonding.
Q: What can be done to correct cracked teeth?
A: Translumination or an intraoral camera can be used to help determine the extent of the cracks. Some of the possible choices to correct the problem would be porcelain veneers, crowns, or bonding. Look at our Before & After Photo Gallery for examples of these procedures.
Q: What can I do about my "buck teeth" that stick out in front?
A: Many times other options can be suggested after a cosmetic consultation, including porcelain veneers, crowns, bonding, orthodontics or simply cosmetic contouring of the teeth.
Q: My teeth have presented nothing but problems over the years. Should I just have one or more of them pulled?
A: Once your natural teeth are gone - they're gone. That's why we encourage patients to try and save their teeth for a number of reasons. If a tooth that can and should be saved is pulled, it will lead to overstressing the other teeth and can result in their loss as well. Tooth loss can cause ineffective chewing and this can result in the swallowing of large chunks of food. This overworks the digestive system and can even lead to digestive disorders. People who don't have their own teeth have a difficult time consuming a high fiber diet. A high fiber diet has been recommended by the American Cancer Society for the prevention of cancer. Dentures don't chew food efficiently. Tooth loss leads to bone loss in jaws. Many young denture patients appear prematurely aged due to the bone loss they experience after having their teeth pulled. With today's great emphasis on having a youthful appearance, regardless of one's age, saving your teeth is indeed a wise investment. Dentures are colonized by mouth bacteria and pick up odors and stains. They must be taken out at night or they can lead to a yeast infection of the gums. Dentures are a good choice for patients who have no hope of saving their teeth.
Without natural teeth, a denture, implants or bridges are the most common options. To be able to wear a denture comfortably requires sufficient retention. Bone is invariably lost when teeth are pulled and then continues to reabsorb and shrink back, resulting in poor fitting loose dentures. These consistently require reapplication and never function as effectively as natural teeth. Today, dental implants used to anchor a tooth restoration add stability and provide a better choice for patients that have missing teeth. Most times, in partnership with our patients, we can establish good functioning, aesthetically pleasing, and long-lasting teeth.
| << Previous FAQ Page 3 | Ask the Cosmetic Dentists' Index | Next FAQ Page 5 >> |
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