Archives for August 2019

Can You Whiten Dental Bonding?

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I have dental bonding on my two front teeth because of chips. I liked how they looked at first, but it’s been a few years and they’re starting to pick up stains. Can I whiten them or do they require something else to get them back in shape?

Penny

Dear Penny,

before and after images of dental bonding for chipped teeth

Unfortunately, you won’t like the results if you use teeth whitening in this situation. What will happen is your natural tooth structure will whiten, but the dental bonding will remain the same. This will make them look even worse. You have a couple of options in order to get these back in shape.

The first thing you can do is have the dental bonding re-done. This is the most affordable option. It’s okay to whiten your teeth in that case, if you’re looking to make them brighter because your dentist can match the new bonding to your whiter teeth. As you know, based on your current experience, these last for several years.

You have a second option if you are looking for something which lasts longer than bonding. Porcelain veneers can last for at least a decade. However, they are much more expensive than bonding.

Who Should Do Your Cosmetic Dental Work?

When it comes to having any type of cosmetic dental work done, you don’t just want any dentist to do it. Instead, you need someone who has some expertise both in a technical understanding as well as some artistry. Dental bonding is done free hand, so an artistic eye is imperative.

So how do you know if your dentist has what it takes?

The first thing I would do is ask to see some before and after images of actual cases they’ve done. If you’ve decided to do dental bonding to repair your chips, ask specifically to see those type of cases. if you’ve decided to get porcelain veneers done, then I would ask to see his veneer cases.

If you don’t think they are stunning, don’t use that dentist. Be picky. These are your teeth. You want a perfectionist creating your smile.

This blog is brought to you by East Cobb Dentist Dr. Cristi Cheek.

Best Dentist Won’t Treat Me

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I’m in a group of friends who have much bigger budgets than I do. There are times that is uncomfortable. They want to take trips as a group that cost more than I really should be spending. They’ve all gone to this fantastic cosmetic dentist and have been encouraging me to go as well. The guy is the best cosmetic dentist in our area. I saved up and was finally ready to go. Truthfully, I was thrilled. They’ve all got some beautiful smiles and I felt like I’d finally have one too. When I went there, I had a good experience… at first. I loved his treatment plan. We’d do ten porcelain veneers on my top teeth after whitening the rest of my teeth. Unfortunately, the price was way more than I was anticipating. I asked about alternatives and he essentially said, if I don’t do his treatment plan, I don’t deserve to be there. I left humiliated. I don’t want my friends to know what happened, but still want to get an improved smile. Do you have any recommendations?

Patricia

Dear Patricia,

blonde woman giving a thumbs up in a dental chair

Being the best dentist requires more than just creating beautiful smiles. You have to treat your patients with respect. You have to give them options and work within their budget requirements.

My guess is, because he recommended ten porcelain veneers, you have a wide smile. However, you can save money by whitening your teeth and then doing six veneers. Yes, ten would be ideal, but you can still get a stunning smile with less. The teeth whitening will ensure the teeth match. Not everyone can do the ideal treatment.

I’ve known patients who’ve had just two veneers done and were perfectly thrilled with their teeth. There are always options. Always.

Finding a Cosmetic Dentist Who’ll Work with You

I’m going to suggest you look at other dentists. He likely won’t be the only dentist who gets beautiful results. Check out the smile galleries of some local cosmetic dentists in your area. Pick the top few whose work you’re thrilled with. Then, check out your top contenders on the review sites. You’ll want to make sure these dentists have a good chairside manner and work well with patients.

Some things to look for is a dentist who advises but listens to his patients; a dentist who listens to his patient’s desires and helps them achieve the smile goals they have without shaming them about their budget.

This blog is brought to you by East Cobb Dentist Dr. Cristi Cheek.

Invisalign or Porcelain Veneers?

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I’m ready to fix my smile. I’ve been going back and forth between Invisalign and porcelain veneers. I’ve heard that the Invisalign fixes your teeth without anyone knowing and it’s much less expensive than the porcelain veneers. But the porcelain veneers should be faster. Is there a significant difference in their results? Are the porcelain veneers worth the extra cost?

Amaya

Dear Amaya,

Which procedure you get depends on two things. First, what your needs are for your smile. Second, the skill of the dentist you are working with. Let’s go over what each of them do.

Invisalign

Invisalign Aligner

Invisalign Aligner

Invisalign is specifically orthodontic related. If your teeth need to be straightened, this is the procedure to go with. It will straighten your teeth without anyone even knowing you are doing orthodontics.

It has an additional cosmetic benefit, too. The aligners used to straighten your teeth can also double as teeth whitening trays. This allows you to straighten and whiten your teeth simultaneously, thereby saving you both time and money.

Both of these procedures are fairly simple and will not require your dentist to have done extensive post-doctoral training in cosmetic work.

Porcelain Veneers

single porcelain veneer being held up by a dental tool

A Porcelain Veneer

This is more for those going for a total smile makeover. Porcelain veneers use tiny wafers of porcelain to completely remake your smile. They can change the shape, size, and color of your teeth simultaneously. While they can’t straighten your teeth, a skilled cosmetic dentist can make them appear straight.

This is the go-to procedure for celebrities to get their Hollywood smile. However, this does require some expertise on the part of the dentist. Unfortunately, smile makeovers aren’t taught in dental school. A dentist has to invest their time after they graduate learning the procedures, as well as developing their artistry. Without that, I’m afraid you’ll be sorely disappointed in the results.

This blog is brought to you by East Cobb Dentist Dr. Cristi Cheek.