Tag Archives: LA Dentist

Which Dentists Do CEREC Crowns on Front Teeth?

I keep hearing no CEREC crowns on front teeth, but surely there have to be dentists who do it. Is there a way to go about finding those dentists?

May

Dear May,

Machine for CEREC Crowns
Can you get beautiful crowns from a CEREC machine?

Great question! You can certainly find a dentist who will give you a CEREC crown on your front teeth, but what you want is a dentist who can do it well. The first thing you need to look for is a top-notch cosmetic dentist. The best of the best are dentists who’ve reached accreditation level with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. AACD accredited dentists are among the top 1% of dentists in the country.

If it’s milled by machine, why does the dentist need to be so artistic? Another great question. It’s specifically because they’re milled by machine. Until recently, CEREC machines would only mill from a single block of porcelain. There are new machines which can mill with gradients. But, many dentists just finished investing in the older CEREC machines and aren’t able to scrap it for the new one. They don’t come cheap.

That doesn’t mean they can’t create you a gorgeous crown. With expertise in color theory, they can create the gradient with the way they color the tooth. But again, only the best of the best can do that.

Consideration When Getting Crowns on Front Teeth

When you’re talking about the most visible part of your smile, you want it to be as beautiful as possible. Once the crown is created, the color on it cannot be changed. You not only want the tooth to look natural and beautiful, but to match the surrounding teeth as well.

So, if your teeth are in need of a little brightening, the time to do it is before your crown is created. Teeth whitening is a quick and easy way to give your smile a boost. If you want, you can even do it in just one appointment using in-office Zoom Whitening.

Once you have the color you’re pleased with, your dentist can match the CEREC crown to it exactly.

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

Bulimia and Teeth

I recently had a friend confide in me that she caught her daughter throwing up after a large meal. She became suspicious and started keeping an eye on her daughter’s eating habits. She was devastated to realize that her daughter was bulimic. It was such a surprise, because her daughter had always seemed happy and confident. Plus, she was very popular at school and had lots of friendships. We discussed ways to help her.

First, I wanted her to know that she needed to get her to the dentist as soon as possible. Most people think of going to the doctor for treatment, which is important, however a bulimic’s teeth get very damaged and need to be treated as well. This is especially important because it is generally self-esteem issues that lead to bulimic activity. As their teeth get more and more damaged it will negatively impact their body image.

The acid in the vomit will erode your teeth making them thin and damaged. Eventually, your teeth will become sensitive to hot and cold. This is because the tooth was eroded enough to expose the nerve. The damage isn’t noticeable at first because it is strongest in the back of your teeth.

A dentist treating a bulimic should provide some flouride, which will help decrease sensitivity and slow down decay. After vomiting, you want to rinse your mouth out with water as quickly as possible to help neutralize the acid. Do not brush your teeth right away, because that will grind the acid into your teeth. A dentist can tell you whether or not the patient will need dental crowns.

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