Will cosmetic dentistry help to fix my front tooth that is discolored?

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I have a front tooth that is getting darker as time goes on. It has probably been five years or more that it has slowly been changing color. I was referred to an endodontist by my regular dentist. He said it doesn’t need a root canal since it passed the tests. He did mention that my response was somewhat delayed to the ice and electric test. It also sounds like there may be a small fracture that they found on the x-ray. Even when they found the crack in it, they still said it was still optional and totally up to me to do a root canal.

So, here’s my dilemma. Do I just get the root canal to get it over with? Or would some kind of cosmetic dentistry work for it since it doesn’t need one right now? How long would that delay the inevitable?

Some other information that the endodontist shared was that a root canal has the potential to weaken my tooth. Is that true? He also mentioned that I would need composite bonding adding to the ones surrounding the dark tooth so that it would look uniform when I smiled.

Do you think I should see a cosmetic dentist? Sorry, that is a lot of questions. But I really don’t have a clear recommendation on the best way to treat my tooth.

Ultimately, if I will end up needing a root canal down the road, I don’t know what kind of cosmetic dentistry options I have. And I definitely want the least invasive procedure and whatever is best for my overall dental health.

Thanks,

Sandra in California

Sandra,

If you needed a root canal right away, the endodonist most likely wouldn’t have given you the option. So, one way to look at it is – why would you do it if it wasn’t necessary? A root canal is required when your tooth is infected. It sounds like it’s not. Therefore, it is probably fine to hold off on it.

As for the fracture that was found in the x-ray, it sounds like it is more of a crack. If there was a fracture in the tooth, it would be dead and would fail the tests given at the endodontist.

Since you mention that your tooth has gotten darker over the course of several years, it is likely from an old injury or trauma. In cases like yours, a tooth can build up what is referred to as a secondary dentin. It may cause some discoloration and the living portion inside the tooth (pulp) would become smaller. This may be why your tooth was somewhat delayed to the sensitivity and temperature tests.

Taking all of these factors into consideration, it sounds like you should see a cosmetic dentist. A porcelain veneer or composite tooth bonding may work to cover up the discoloration. However, it can’t be stressed enough that you need to do your research and find an expert cosmetic dentist in your area. This is important because less than two percent of dentists actually have the skills required to get the coloration and manipulation of translucency correctly to blend in naturally with the surrounding teeth.

closeup of a couple smilingIt shouldn’t be necessary to bond several teeth. An excellent cosmetic dentist should be able to manipulate the materials to match, so only one tooth would require work. The reason the endodontist said otherwise is likely due to the fact that he is not experienced enough to get it right and it would require less skill to do multiple teeth. This is common among general dentists that think they can do cosmetic dentistry. So, be careful about finding the right cosmetic dentist for your needs. Ask to see before and afters photographs of similar work and check out their credentials. It takes extensive training beyond dental school to obtain the expertise to to beautiful cosmetic dentistry.

Down the road, if you required a root canal treatment, the bonding or porcelain veneer could be removed quite easily.

Hopefully this information is helpful to you. If you are ever in Lexington, KY, Hamburg Expressions is an expert cosmetic dentist that has the right training and expertise. But, since you are on the other side of the United States, it would be wise to meet with several cosmetic dentists in your area to find the best one for you.

What type of cosmetic dentistry will fix a chipped tooth?

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My mom told me I need to get cosmetic dentistry to fix my chipped front tooth. What are my options? Will porcelain veneers or tooth bonding work the best?

-Marcie in Illinois

Marcie,

Mothers know best. Cosmetic dentistry will definitely help you fix your chipped front tooth. The most important thing for you to do is to select the right dentist. You are on the right track in looking into porcelain veneers and dental bonding. However, not every dentist does beautiful work. It actually requires extensive training beyond dental school and a passion for aesthetics. So, spend your time researching the best cosmetic dentist in your area, instead of the treatment options. Let the cosmetic dentist make the right recommendations for your case.

That said, here are the differences between porcelain veneers and dental bonding.

What is Dental Bonding?

Composite tooth bonding is tooth-colored material that is placed directly on your tooth and reshaped to fill in the chip. This takes a high level of skill to get right, especially on a front tooth. But, when it’s done correctly, the result will blend in perfectly with your surrounding teeth. Also, dental bonding isn’t a permanent fix. You will need to go in periodically to have the bonding redone. It will chip off and pick up stains over the years. It is also important to realize that each time it is redone, a little more of your natural tooth structure will need to be removed. So, after many repairs, it will weaken the overall structure of your tooth. It is also less expensive than veneers and usually lasts for a couple years at a time.

What is a Porcelain Veneer?

image that shows how thin a porcelain veneer isA veneer is a very thin piece of porcelain that is cemented to the front side of your tooth. It requires a tiny portion of your natural tooth to be removed. This is an important step so that when the veneer is placed, it is a seamless transition between the veneer and your tooth. As far as the procedure goes, the tooth is prepared and impressions are taken. Then, a dental laboratory will create the porcelain veneer to fit perfectly in place. It is more elaborate than dental bonding, but the result will last much longer. When a porcelain veneer is done by an excellent cosmetic dentist, no one will be able to tell you’ve had any work done. It will be flawless.

This post is sponsored by Hamburg Expressions, a cosmetic dentist located in Lexington, KY.

 

This cosmetic dentist messed up.

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I went to see a cosmetic dentist because there was a small chip in my dental bonding. This was a new dentist for me since my original dentist has retired. When he examined my teeth and noticed I had fillings, he told me that I needed to have porcelain crowns done on my front teeth. He insisted that would make my entire smile uniform.

I’m not an expert and have always trusted my dentist, so I let him do the work. I wish I hadn’t moved forward with it. I look ridiculous. I have six porcelain crowns on my front teeth and the ones in front look grey. None of the cosmetic dentistry work blends in well. Is there anything that can be done at this point?

-Linda in Nebraska

Linda,

This sounds all too familiar. Now you find yourself in your very own cosmetic dentistry horror story, where it’s likely you feel like you are worse off than before you had any work done.

Unfortunately, there isn’t much that can be done to fix the porcelain crowns. That said hopefully the dentist that did the work will redo it until you are satisfied. However, as you now know, not just any dentist can do beautiful cosmetic dentistry. It requires an artistic eye, extensive training beyond dental school and a true passion for aesthetics.

Since you have spent a lot of money, you can try to have them redone. Then, you should absolutely insist that you have a try-in before they are permanently bonded in place. Most excellent cosmetic dentists have what they like to refer to as a beautiful smile guarantee. This means that the patient will have multiple times to see exactly what the cosmetic dentistry will look like before they are permanently cemented. So, being able to view them for a try-in is a reasonable request.

dental patient looking at smile in mirrorAlso, you can request a clear try-in paste. This will help to transmit the tooth color under the crowns. Now, you shouldn’t have to tell him this, but if he doesn’t have a clear try-in paste, clear glycerin or a water-soluble gel, which will do the trick. This will ensure you have a full picture of what the final product will look like. But, honestly, it is silly that you would have to instruct your dentist.

So, if you get a sense that the dentist is not comfortable or willing to accommodate your requests, it may be best to see an expert cosmetic dentist that will be able to get these front crowns right.

If the crowns look bad enough, a new cosmetic dentist may be able to assist you in getting a refund of some kind. However, it is imperative that you be careful about finding a new cosmetic dentist. Ask about their credentials, ask to see similar cases to yours and ask about any kind of guarantee that you will be happy with the work.

I hope this is helpful and that you get them fixed. You should absolutely love your smile, especially when it comes to your front teeth.

Thank you for sharing. Hopefully, it helps someone else that is in your same boat.

This post is sponsored by Lexington cosmetic dentist Hamburg Expressions.

Teeth whitening messed up my dental bonding

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I was so excited to get a free teeth whitening offer in the mail. I have been wanting to brighten my smile for a couple years now. However, teeth whitening just hasn’t been in the budget. So, I jumped right in and followed all the steps exactly as directed.

I was devastated when it didn’t work! Now, I’m left with teeth that look worse than before I whitened.

Several years ago, I had some dental bonding done. Now, the bonded teeth stick out like a sore thumb. Is there anything that can be done to fix it? Or is it possible the teeth whitening kit wasn’t any good?

-Pam in Kansas

Pam,

woman smiling with beautiful white smileUnfortunately, the only time it’s good to jump on a free teeth whitening deal is when it is offered by a dentist. There are many things that need to be considered to determine if you are a good teeth whitening candidate. For example, a dentist will do an initial exam to make sure you don’t have any urgent needs that require attention before the bleaching. Also, the dentist would have discovered your dental bonding and would have recommended a better treatment plan.

If you have dental bonding, it is possible to get your teeth whitened. However, as you have discovered, bonding material does not respond to teeth whitening agents. The color of the bonding will remain the same, while the surrounding teeth will be whitened. Also, the bonding has likely picked up stains over the years, so that is why it is standing out now and looking discolored.

The good news is that your smile can be fixed. You will need to see a reputable cosmetic dentist and have the tooth bonding redone. Be sure you are happy with the whiteness of your existing teeth. If you would like to pursue more powerful whitening from the dentist, now is the time. Once the color is sufficient, you can have the dental bonding made to blend in perfectly. Then, when the bonding is fixed, you will end up with an even, stunning smile.

This post is sponsored by Lexington cosmetic dentist Hamburg Expressions.

Will teeth whitening fix my white spots?

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Will teeth whitening help out with my ugly white spots that were left behind after my braces?

Apparently, I didn’t do the best job of keeping up with my regular dental cleanings while I had braces. Now, my teeth seem to be stained white where the braces used to be. My dentist promised me a free teeth whitening appointment after the orthodontist removed my braces. However, when I went in for the consultation he wouldn’t do it. He seems to think the result will be uneven. I am considering getting another opinion. Although, I wanted to check here to see what your thoughts were about bleaching teeth after braces.

-Becky in Florida

Becky,

Unfortunately, white spots after braces are removed isn’t that uncommon. It is correct that oral hygiene and regular dental cleanings are imperative while the braces are on. Otherwise, the white spots are a possibility.

image of professional teeth whitening trays in a caseFurthermore, the white spots can be a sign of tooth decay. So, in order to whiten your teeth after braces, it depends on the cause. It is possible that a deep cleaning will polish the stains away and then you’d be a candidate for teeth bleaching.

Although, if the stains are a sign of tooth decay, you will need to have the stains whitened with a different method. Bonding can be used to cover up the areas of decay and tooth bonding can be done after the initial teeth whitening is performed too. That way the bonding will match the new white shade of your teeth.

Any kind of staining or white spots is best addressed with an excellent cosmetic dentist. So, that should likely be your next step for a second opinion. Frankly, not just any dentist can do beautiful cosmetic dentistry. And for the issues you are talking about, the appearance and bonding techniques and materials is important. So, be sure to find a cosmetic dentist with the right credentials. Also, one that can show you and explain how he or she has worked with cases similar to yours. Good luck!

Thank you for your question.

This post is sponsored by Lexington cosmetic dentist Hamburg Expressions.

Is my daughter a porcelain veneers candidate?

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Hello,

I’m trying to figure out if my daughter is a porcelain veneers candidate. She is nine years old and fell on the playground at school. Most of the front tooth is chipped. In fact, there is only about half of the tooth remaining. It is a permanent tooth, so she is mortified. You know how cruel kids can be!

Would a porcelain veneer work for her or possibly a porcelain crown for a front tooth? I’m looking online because our regular dentist doesn’t think either would be a good option. He said that since she’s only nine, she isn’t a candidate for porcelain veneers.

-Carol in Texas

Carol,

First, we are sorry to hear about your daughter’s accident. It is understandable that you are concerned about the aesthetics of her tooth.

Cosmetic Dentistry for a Front Tooth

sad girl with toothacheFor a child with a damaged permanent tooth, the dentist usually checks the nerve of the tooth first and foremost. If there is nerve damage, it will need to be treated as soon as possible. Trauma to a tooth can damage the underlying nerve and cause the tooth to die. This may not happen right away, so please go back in right away if she complains of throbbing pain or if the tooth discolors.

Once the nerve damage is ruled out, then the aesthetics of the tooth can be addressed with a reputable cosmetic dentist. Every dentist has different opinions, but it would be wise to see an excellent cosmetic dentist in your area that has experience working on front teeth. Although, you are interested in a crown or porcelain veneer, it may not be an option. Since your daughter’s tooth is still developing and her jaw and bones are growing. This impacts the stress on chewing and her overall bite patterns.

Dental bonding on a front tooth may work well to address the immediate aesthetic concerns. It may need to be touched up periodically. But, it will look natural and beautiful if it is done by an expert cosmetic dentist. Then, down the road, when your child is done growing, you may be able to consider other cosmetic dentistry options. A porcelain veneer or crown makes more sense in the future.

Thank you for your question and good luck!

This post is sponsored by Lexington cosmetic dentist Hamburg Expressions.

What mouthwash do you recommend for porcelain veneers?

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I love my new porcelain veneers! Everyone seems to notice something is different. But, they can’t seem to put their finger on it. Anyway, I want to keep them looking great. What type of mouthwash is best for cosmetic dentistry?

-Sheila in California

Sheila,

close-up of a woman smilingThat’s wonderful to hear how happy you are with your beautiful porcelain veneers. Mouthwash isn’t required to keep your porcelain veneers looking great. In fact, it really doesn’t do a whole lot for hygiene either.

However, if you want to keep mouthwash in your daily routine, you need to avoid any brand that contains alcohol. Some popular brands of mouthwash contain over 20% alcohol, which is not good for porcelain veneers. The alcohol in mouthwash can weaken the dental bonding that is used to hold the porcelain veneers in place. Over time, if porcelain veneers are exposed to these types of products, it can cause them to loosen, cause micro-leakage and possibly come off. Other oral hygiene products that contain alcohol can also negatively affect your gums and overall oral health.

There are brands of alcohol-free mouthwash. Just be sure to read the label. A couple brands that do not contain alcohol are Crest Pro-Health and Breath-Rx. There are others too again just be careful and read the ingredient list.

Caring for Porcelain Veneers

  1. Brush your teeth after you eat each meal. A soft, gentle cleaning will do.
  2. Flossing twice daily will help keep your porcelain veneers looking their best.
  3. Avoid abrasive whitening toothpastes or other hygiene products.
  4. Keep up with routine care. Be sure you visit a dental hygienist that is experienced in caring for cosmetic dentistry. Some cleaning equipment is too abrasive to be used on cosmetic dentistry. It can ruin the protective glaze and cause permanent damage.
  5. If you grind or if your dentist suspects grinding, wear a night guard for sleeping.

This post is sponsored by Lexington cosmetic dentist Hamburg Expressions.

 

 

Would Zoom whitening or other whitening products help me?

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I’ve always had these white speckles on my front teeth and was wondering if Zoom whitening would correct them. Also, I had braces to correct the alignment of my teeth when I was in high school. The white spots seemed to stand out more after the braces were removed. I have been seeing the same family dentist my entire life. I am a working adult now and actually have some money to get these spots fixed. But, my dentist told me that I’m fine and my teeth are healthy. He made it seem like the spots are no big deal. But, to me, it is a huge deal.

Therefore, I’ve been doing my own research. It sounds like there are many possibilities, like porcelain veneers or teeth whitening treatments like Zoom whitening. But, I’m concerned that whitening the spots won’t address the problem and it may actually make them stand out. Would porcelain veneers be the better choice?

-Candice in Texas

Candice,

Well, this is an all too familiar story from long-time family dentists. Most general dentists have the mentality to fix a certain problem. Aesthetics doesn’t enter into their treatment philosophy. Your family dentist sees that your teeth are healthy, which is great. But, you aren’t happy with your smile. There is a disconnect here. He’s not concerned with aesthetics. It’s not his fault. It simply may not be his passion.

How to fix white spots on front teeth

Don’t ask your family dentist to fix your white spots. You need to find an excellent cosmetic dentist in your area. A cosmetic dentist is driven by creating beautiful, aesthetically-pleasing smiles. Of course, they want your teeth to function properly. But, they truly understand how self confidence and esteem is important too.

It is difficult to provide specific recommendations without having seen your case in person. It’s possible that a teeth whitening treatment like Zoom bleaching will work for you. Zoom is an in-office whitening treatment that dramatically whitens your teeth in only one appointment. But, the white spots you are referring too may not be lightened with Zoom.

bright white smile of woman smilingSo, there are several other possible cosmetic dentistry treatment alternatives. For example, dental bonding may work well for you. Or, a couple porcelain veneers on your front teeth may give you a brand new smile. Look around and get a couple opinions from local cosmetic dentists, and ask to see before and after images of similar cases.

An excellent cosmetic dentist may suggest whitening your teeth first, so the surrounding teeth are the color your desire. Then, porcelain veneers can be made to match the surrounding teeth perfectly.

Feel free to continue seeing your family dentist for regular, routine care. But, seeing a cosmetic dentist to fix your white spots is hands down the best way to go. Whatever you do, don’t have your family dentist do Zoom whitening or another cosmetic dentistry out of his comfort zone.

This post is sponsored by Lexington cosmetic dentist Hamburg Expressions.

My front tooth is chipped and I can’t afford Lumineers.

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I was researching online and it looks like Lumineers is recommended to fix a chipped tooth. Last week, I took a nasty fall and ended up chipping one of my front teeth. The inner corner is cut off. The missing portion is about an eighth of an inch.

The main problem is that I cannot afford Lumineers. Is there another way to have the chip fixed without the expensive procedure? However, it is my front tooth. So, I want it to look nice. Please let me know your thoughts.

-Paula in Indiana

Paula,

close-up of chipped front tooth before dental bondingThank you for your question. A small chip may be repaired using direct dental bonding. Tooth bonding is more affordable than Lumineers or any kind of porcelain veneers.So, that’s good news.

Honestly, Lumineers wouldn’t be the recommended treatment option. So, that leads me to the next concern. Where did you find the information about Lumineers being the preferred way to fix a chipped tooth? It is in your best interest to see an excellent cosmetic dentist to have the repair work done. Anyone that recommended Lumineers as a fix for the a chipped front tooth likely is not a skilled cosmetic dentist.

Many general dentists consider themselves cosmetic dentists, when in all actuality they do not have the right training or expertise. Cosmetic dentistry is an art. General dentists typically have a functional mindset. They are looking at cases from the perspective of fixing a problem. And a cosmetic dentist’s ultimate goal is to create beauty. They are passionate about the aesthetics of creating a beautiful smile.

So, as you consider the right cosmetic dentist for you, be sure to find a dentist with advanced training in cosmetic dentistry and experience doing direct dental bonding. Ask them what they would recommend to fix the chip. If the answer is Lumineers, move on. Dental bonding should be more than sufficient to fix the chip as you’ve described it.

Although, it requires a high level of skill and artistry to make direct bonding look beautiful, lifelike and natural. It will require the dentist to do freehand work. So, it would be wise to ask to see similar cases and before and after images.

As mentioned earlier, dental bonding shouldn’t be as expensive as Lumineers. Although, it will need to be touched up occasionally to keep it looking fresh.

This post is sponsored by Lexington cosmetic dentist Hamburg Expressions.

 

Was my cosmetic dentist in over his head?

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I was unhappy with my smile, so I decided to see a cosmetic dentist to fix my front teeth. The two most prominent teeth kind of overlapped one another. So, the cosmetic dentist decided to grind them both down. The lateral teeth where also filled to give (what I was told) was a more natural look.

The end result. A very uncomfortable smile. There are sharp edges where the grinding was done. I feel like he was attempting to make both teeth appear more straight. Also, he applied some yellowing to them so they looked more natural. I was adamantly against the yellowing because I was trying to improve my smile, not make it worse. But, he insisted that the composite bonding would look fake if it was white.

In hindsight, I should have noticed this as a red flag. My front teeth not only look worse, they are less structurally sound after the cosmetic dentist finished.

I thought I’d was choosing a less risky procedure over porcelain veneers for straighter teeth. But, I am left with a damaged, yellow smile. Please tell me there is hope. Do I have any other options to save my smile?

-Becky in New Jersey

Becky,

It sounds like you’re living your very own cosmetic dentistry horror story. I’m sorry for that.

Although, it is difficult to give you specific recommendations without having seen your case in person, there may be a couple options to improve what the cosmetic dentist did to your front teeth.

First, less than two percent of dentists actually have the ability and artistic inclination to create truly beautiful cosmetic dentistry, especially dental bonding on front teeth. In order to be an expert cosmetic dentist requires extensive advanced training and understanding of composite materials and bonding techniques. Also, the cosmetic dentist needs to have a passionate, artistic eye to create beauty.

Also, the yellow teeth sounds like a disaster. This is unheard of among excellent cosmetic dentists. That said, your dentist probably was doing the best he could. He just comes from a functional mindset and not one of creating beauty.

So, where do you go from here. Don’t go back to the same dentist. Sadly, he won’t be able to fix what’s been done or make the right recommendations. He likely believes his cosmetic dentistry work meets the expected standard of care. So, move on and cut your losses. You need to interview multiple cosmetic dentists in your area and go from there.

Find a cosmetic dentist that can show you a bunch of examples of before and after dental bonding cases. Also, check out their credentials. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry is a top-notch, prestigious organization and may be a starting point to see if there are any AACD accredited dentists in your area. Once you are confident in the new dentist’s expertise, they will be able to redo the tooth bonding and give you the smile of your dreams.

Thank you for sharing your story. Hopefully, you’ll have a successful smile makeover very soon. Best of luck.

This post is sponsored by Lexington cosmetic dentist Hamburg Expressions.

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