Category Archives: Cosmetic Dentist

I think my gum is infected, but my dentist said it is normal

I’m a little worried that my gum is infected. There is a dark line on the edge of it. I went to see my dentist, but he said that is normal when you have a crown and it is nothing to worry about.  I can’t help but worrying.  I can’t imagine that my gum being dark is normal.

Ginny D. – New Hampshire

Ginny,

I suspect that your dentist gave you porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns.  Those often develop a dark line at the gum line.  While your dentist is right that it is not an infection, that doesn’t mean you want a gray line visible every time you smile.

Unfortunately, the only way to get rid of it is to get new crowns.  Be sure not to get the porcelain fused to metal crowns again.  What you’ll want is to get an artistic cosmetic dentist to give you all porcelain crowns. You’ll find that not only will you not have to worry about any gray line turning up at your gumline, but you’ll have crowns that look much more natural than I suspect the ones you currently have do.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette LA Dentist Dr. Mike Malone.

Do you have to grind your teeth for cosmetic dentistry?

I was thinking of getting some cosmetic dentistry done to make my teeth look beautiful, but I’ve heard you have to get your teeth ground down. Is that true? I’m not too keen on that idea, to be honest.

Mary G. – Denton, TX

Mary,

It’s lovely that you’re wanting to do a smile makeover. Cosmetic Dentistry can completely change your appearance. it can even make you look years younger.

You don’t have to grind down your teeth for cosmetic dentistry. Occassionally, you may need a dental crown for a damaged tooth, but that is not cosmetic.

If you’re wanting to remake your smile, the best procedure would be to get porcelain veneers. There is no grinding in that case. It’s possible you’ll need to have your teeth gently shaved for tooth preparation, but that would only be about the depth of a fingernail.   There is no real visible difference between the prepared and unprepared teeth.

You’ll want to find an artistic cosmetic dentist in order to ensure  that you get a beautiful smile.  An inexperienced cosmetic dentist could give you a very horrible smile, so be careful.  My recommendation is you look for one of the dentists recommended on the mynewsmile.com website. They’ll have listings for great cosmetic dentists in your area.  They only recommend the best. A dentist cannot just pay to get on their site.

This blog is brought to you by Louisiana Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Mike Malone.

Can a general dentist do cosmetic dentistry?

I want to do some cosmetic procedures to my teeth. My dentist is a general dentist. Can you tell me if he can do the cosmetic procedures or if I need to go to a cosmetic dentist?

Frank C. – Oregon

Frank,

There is no recognized specialty in cosmetic dentistry. That means that everyone who does cosmetic dentistry is a general dentist. However, not all “cosmetic” dentists are equal.

You didn’t mention what type of cosmetic work you were planning on. If you were wanting something simple, such as teeth whitening, then any dentist could do it.

But, if you were wanting someting complicated, such as porcelain veneers, then you’ll want someone with specialized training.  In those cases, I would look for a dentist who is accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). They’ll have the skill to give you a gorgeous smile.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Mike Malone.

Finding a cosmetic dentist

Can you give me some advice on how to know which brand of porcelain veneers to use?

Louisa M. – New Mexico

Louisa,

There is a more important question to ask. Instead of trying to figure out the bes brand of porcelain veneers, you need to be looking for the right dentist.

There are different nuances with each brand of porcelain veneers. What you want is a cosmetic dentist who is familiar with all of them, knows the technique, and has an artistic eye.

Because it is not a recognized speciality, any dentist can call themselves a cosmetic dentist. That doesn’t mean they have what it takes to give you a gorgeous smile. Even if they know the technique, you need to know if they’re artistic enough to give you what you want.

The ideal cosmetic dentist will be accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Those with these qualifications will be able to give you a gorgeous smile.  They’re the top cosmetic dentists in the country.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Mike Malone.

How Do You Choose A Cosmetic Dentist?

Can you tell me how to choose a cosmetic dentist?

Analyia- Chicago

Analyia,

That is a great question.  An expert cosmetic dentist can give you a gorgeous smile. An average cosmetic dentist can give you a disaster of a smile.  It is one  of the areas of dentistry where you really need to only go the absolutely highest qualified.

Ideally, you want to find a cosmetic dentist in your area who is accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Accreditation is different than being a member.  Any dentist can join the organization. In order to get accredited, a dentist has to pass a stringent examination, demonstrate a thorough knowledge of technical skill, and prove their artistic ability by showing their samples of the work they’ve done on their patients.

Very few dentists reach this level of expertise, but it is well worth it for you to drive to another city for a smile makeover and ensure you get a breathtaking smile.

This blog is brought to you by Lousiana Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Mike Malone.