Archives for February 2022

Does the Dentist Matter If They Outsource Their Porcelain Work?

Posted on February 16, 2022 by writeradmin.

I am getting a smile makeover, which will include porcelain veneers on the top arch and some dental bonding for some broken teeth on the bottom arch. I understand that they outsource their porcelain work, so I don’t have to worry about that as much, but the dental bonding is done by the dentist in the office. How do I know if they can do quality bonding work or not?

Billy

Dear Billy,

You are correct that dental bonding is tricky and that the dentist really needs to know what he or she is doing. Not only is it done in the office, but it is done freehand. However, be careful about thinking the dentist won’t matter for the porcelain veneers. That is like saying it doesn’t matter what doctor you go to because it is the pharmacist who gives you the medicine. The reality is the pharmacist can only do what is precribed. If the doctor makes the wrong diagnosis and prescribes the wrong medicine, the result will be a disaster even if the pharmacist fills it perfectly.

With porcelain veneers, the cosmetic dentist prescribes the map for the ceramist to follow. He can do the work perfectly according to the dentist’s instructions, but unless the dentist is skilled and artistic the results will be disappointing. So, I would say you will need to find an expert cosmetic dentist for every part of the smile makeover.

How to Find an Expert Cosmetic Dentist

The hands down easiest way to guarantee you will have one of the best cosmetic dentists in the country is to look for a dentist who is AACD accredited. In order for a dentist to reach accreditation with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. They have to pass oral and written exams as well as have a large number of cases they’re required to do examined in front of a board to ensure they have artistry. You can be assured that they will give you both stunning porcelain veneers and dental bonding. It will be the complete package.

This blog is brought to you by Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.

What Do You Think of GlamSmile?

Posted on February 15, 2022 by writeradmin.

I want to get a smile makeover and recently read about something called GlamSmile. It is supposed to be less expensive and the dentist can place them in just one hour. Have you looked into these? If so, what do you think of them?

Brooke

Dear Brooke,

I’m glad you wrote. I think I can help you and save you a major disappointment. Here are some things to consider with GlamSmile:

First, similarly to Lumineers, they are marketed to inexperienced cosmetic dentists as being super easy to place. GlamSmile tells them that the lab does all the work so they don’t need extensive post-doctoral training to place these. There are countless examples of cosmetic dentistry horror stories of patients from both Lumineers and GlamSmile, and even other brands of traditional porcelain veneers. where patients were distraught because they spent a fortune on a smile makeover that actually made their smile look worse. This is because the brand does not matter nearly as much as the technical and artistic skill of the dentist doing the makeover.

Second, they have another marketing push that is telling dentists that they can make five times their normal means in the same amount of time they normally would spend with a patient in the chair. Whenever you push how much you’ll make to dentists, it stops becoming “which is best for the patient” and tempts dentists to push certain procedures which can increase their profit.

Finally, I am quite skeptical about their suggestion that this can be done in one hour. In fact, even they say the dentist may need to schedule a second appointment to finish up removing excess cement. Generally, to do this well, would take around three or more hours.

So, what should you do? Instead of looking for a specific brand, I am going to suggest you change your thought process to looking for the right dentist. You need someone with extensive post-doctoral training, as well as technical skill and artistry. The easiest way to find a dentist like this is to go to an AACD accredited dentist. These have proven skills.

This blog is brought to you by Philadelphia Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.

Dentist Said I Cannot Have White Crowns

Posted on February 3, 2022 by writeradmin.

I had eight dental crowns placed two decades ago. I wanted whiter crowns then they gave me but they insisted they wouldn’t look natural with the white color I wanted. Now, I want to replace them, this time getting the white color I’d always wanted. However, my new dentist said the whitest we should do is B1. The temporaries in that color are hardly whiter than what I have. His reasoning is that there are posts that would show through with a whiter color. I’m so disappointed. Before I have these permanently bonded on I want to see if there is a possibility I could get a BL4 without the posts showing. Just something a little brighter.

Sandy

Dear Sandy,

I don’t know who your dentist is, but I get the impression he isn’t really an expert cosmetic dentist. He is confusing color with translucency. If the posts are not seen through on a B1, they won’t be seen through the BL4 or if you want really white crowns, as it sounds you do, you could even get a BL1. I am not saying you have to switch dentists at this point, but I would insist your dentist give you the color you want for your porcelain crowns.

Additionally, you need to insist he do them with a temporary try-in paste and you get to see and approve them before they are permanently bonded on. If you don’t like them, they should go back to the lab until you do. Sometimes, it is helpful to have a friend with you during the try-in to give you courage and be a second set of eyes for you.

If he cannot or is unwilling to get them the way you want, then it will be time to switch dentists. If you do need to switch, the best cosmetic dentists are accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. AACD accredited dentists have proven expertise and artistry. They will have not only the skill to give you the smile you wanted two decades ago, but the right mindset that it is about what kind of smile the patient wants that matters.

This blog is brought to you by Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.