Archives for September 2023

Treating a Single Dark Tooth

Posted on September 30, 2023 by writeradmin.

I have a pretty good smile. However, over the last few years one of my front teeth is turning darker. I went to see my dentist and he said the tooth has died and needs a root canal treatment and a dental crown. This seems a bit extreme to me, especially because there is no infection. Also, what would cause a tooth to die if I’ve had no pain?

Carrie

Dear Carrie,

An example of dental bonding on a chipped tooth.

If there is no tooth infection, there is no reason for you to need a root canal treatment. I am not sure why your dentist suggested that. A crown is a bit of an over treqtment as well. If the tooth has turned dark without an infection, then it is likely that you bumped it lightly at some point. When that happens, it will develop a thicker dentist down the road, which gives it a dark appearance. However, the tooth will remain perfectly healthy.

With a healthy tooth, you have two osmetic solutions: a porcelain veneer or dental bonding. Both of these remove significantly less tooth structure than a dental crown.

Some highly artistic dentists will prefer dental bonding because they can gauge the color right there. Others will prefer a single porcelain veneer. Here’s the rub. Only about 2% of cosmetic dentists will be able to match a front tooth in a situation such as you are in. Please do not go to just any dentist.

My suggestion is you look for a dentist who is accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. AACD accredited dentists have proven technique and artistry and will be able to do a good job for you in this situation.

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

Should Porcelain Veneers Have a Hump at the Gumline?

Posted on September 25, 2023 by writeradmin.

I wanted to fix the appearance of my two front teeth. At first, my dentist covered them with dental bonding. This ended up looking terrible. When I told her how awful they looked, she agreed to switch to porcelain veneers. My question is should they have a hump at the top by the gumline? The rest of them look okay. They certainly look better than the bonding, but this hump makes them uncomfortable. Maybe it is just because I know it is there, but I swear I can feel it all the time. This is my first time having porcelain veneers, but some of the pictures I have seen seem smoother at the top. Should I ask her to re-do them? I am starting to feel like a difficult patient.

Haven

Dear Haven,

I am very glad you wrote, if only to tell you that you are not a difficult patient. You paid for a beautiful result and you should get one. In fact, I think you’ve been overly patient. Let’s start with the dental bonding. Why did you have to tell her they were terrible? She should have realized that. A true cosmetic dentist would not be satisfied with anything but a gorgeous result for a thrilled patient.

Then, she’s tried her hand at porcelain veneers and struggled to do those right as well. This hump is not correct and can actually lead to both decay and gum disease. So, yes, these porcelain veneers need to be redone. By the way, you shouldn’t settle for veneers that are just okay. You should find them stunning.

Here’s the problem you are facing. Cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized specialty. That means any general dentist can “try their hand” at it. Unfortunately, it takes a significant amount of post-doctoral training to have the technical skill and artistry necessary to produce a beautiful and correct result. I sincerely doubt that your dentist has this training.

The best thing for you to do for the health of your teeth and gums, as well as get a truly attractive smile, is to not ask this dentist to do something beyond her ability. Instead, ask for a refund, then have this redone by a dentist who has the training necessary to do it correctly.

The easiest way to find a dentist with the artistry and skill to do your smile makeover, is to go to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) Website— aacd.com. They have a “find a cosmetic dentist” link. Make sure you check that you are looking for an accredited dentist. AACD accredited dentists have passed stringent exams and demonstrated artistry on a large number of cases before an examination board. They are in the top 3% of cosmetic dentists in the country.

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

Why Is This Porcelain Veneer Popping Off?

Posted on September 5, 2023 by writeradmin.

I had some porcelain veneers placed a few months ago. Shortly after, one of the veneers on a canine tooth popped off while I was eating toast. My tooth instantly became unbearably sensitive. I went back to the dentist and he said the problem is that my bite is off. He did some shortening of the porcelain veneer and the tooth. When I asked if I needed to be numbed first, he told me it wasn’t necessary. That was a mistake. The procedure was very painful. Now, that same tooth has fallen off again. I had to go back, again because of the sensitivity. He told me the issue was still my bite and that now he needs to switch it to a dental crown. I’m a bit confused here. I was told these were supposed to last me ten years. I don’t want to destroy a tooth that is healthy. I did ask this dentist about his qualifications before going forward with the procedure. He told me he had a year training in cosmetic dentistry. What do you recommend here?

Patricia

* Note to readers. I asked who the dentist was so I could check up on this training.

Dear Patricia,

After looking up some information on this dentist, I see no post-doctoral training in cosmetic dentistry. My guess is that he is considering his one-year residency his training. This would not be adequate cosmetic training for smile makeovers even with the most liberal of definitions.

I also do not think your bite is the problem here. I think he does not know how to bond it properly. If it were your bite, then the repair he did to the bite should have fixed the problem. Plus, if a porcelain veneer is properly bonded, then if something is wrong with the bite the porcelain veneer will chip instead of fall off.

Please do not allow this dentist to put a crown on your tooth. He does not know what he is doing. Plus, your porcelain veneer can be bonded back on properly so that it will stay on. Go to either mynewsmile.com or aacd.com. These are two safe ways to get a recommended cosmetic dentist. Anyone on the mynewsmile recommendation list can bond this on properly for you. If you use the aacd site, make sure that you check the box saying that you are looking for an accredited cosmetic dentist. These are the only ones with the right credentials.

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