Tag Archives: Lafayette Cosmetic Dentist

Invisalign

Getting Back Into the Dating Scene

I’m recently divorced, after a 17 year marriage. My husband decided to start a new life with his high school sweetheart. Now I’m stuck trying to navigate a new life. I’m thinking about diving into the dating scene again, but I think my teeth will hold me back.  I’m too old for braces, but can’t afford porcelain veneers. Is there something between the two?

Amanda – Kentucky

Amanda,

They say our smile is the first thing people notice about us, so if you’re not happy with your smile, it’s great that you’re being proactive.

You don’t have to have a mouth full of metal or spend a fortune on porcelain veneers. Invisalign will allow you to straighten your teeth without anyone knowing. It uses clear aligners.

I’d talk to your dentist to see if you’re a good candidate for the procedure. It has a high patient satisfaction rate. Just bear in mind, that while porcelain veneers can completely remake your smile, Invisalign, just straightens your teeth. Kind of like braces, but without the metal.

Good luck in the dating world!

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Mike Malone.

Porcelain Veneers

Why Didn’t My Porcelain Veneers Work?

I was very excited to get porcelain veneers. I was told they could make my smile taller and wider and make my gums look even.  That’s what my dentist and I discussed. Unfortunately, that isn’t what I ended up with. Don’t get me wrong. the veneers look good, but nothing has changed the size of my teeth or my gums, which you can still see when I smile. Why didn’t they work? Were my expectations too high?

Samantha B. – Washington

Samantha,

Your expectations of porcelain veneers weren’t too high. I’d say your expectations for your dentist were.  Porcelain veneers can widen your smile, as well as many other things. However, the solution for your issue would have included gum contouring.  Additionally, it would have had to have been done before the veneers were made, not after.

It’s likely your dentist is a great family dentist who dabbles in cosmetic work. He doesn’t have any real expertise. You could talk to him about re-doing them, but I’m not sure he’d really know what to do. It sounds like you’ll likely have to have them re-done by someone with more artistic and technical training.

If I were in your place, I’d look for someone who is accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

This blog is brought to  you by Dr. Mike Malone.

Cosmetic Dentist

My Dentist Wants to Put A Metal Crown On My Tooth

I’m not sure if I should go forward with something my dentist wants to do. I need a crown. But, he wants to put a metal based crown on the tooth. My mother had one of those and it was horribly ugly. Would mine be ugly too or have their been more developments since then?

Ally R. – Idaho

Ally,

I haven’t seen your mother’s crown, nor do I know when she had it placed, so it would be hard for me to tell you if there have been advancements. However, I can tell you that cosmetic dentists (who care as much about form as they do function) would not put a metal based crown on a front tooth.

The reason for that is the appearance, as you’ve noted about your mother’s old crown. A metal based crown requires a more opaque layering in order to “cover” the metal. Plus, you will eventually develop a gray line at your gumline, which will be unattractive and distracting.

Instead, I’d recommend an all-porcelain crown. These are perfectly strong enough to be placed on your front teeth, and are much more attractive.

That being said, you’ll need to have a good cosmetic dentist to do it. Even the most beautiful materials need artistic hands to make their beauty shine.  Especially because it is a front teeth you’re talking about, I cannot stress how much the skill of the cosmetic dentist will make a difference on how the crown will look.

The best cosmetic dentists are accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD).

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Mike Malone.

 

CEREC

My Dentist Refuses to Give Me CEREC Crowns Even Though He Does Them

I need a crown on my front tooth. My dentist CEREC crowns, but absolutely refuses to do it on my front teeth. I really like the convenience of one appointment crowns. Can you think of a reason he won’t give it to me?

Marcella M. – Idaho

Marcella,

I suspect it is an aesthetics issue. You see, CEREC crowns are milled out of  a single block of porcelain. That means they don’t have th subtleties that you find in your natural teeth. That is fine for most of your teeth, but your front teeth are quite visible. Your dentist will want to make sure they get all the variation to make them look natural.

If he does a traditional crown, it will take a little longer, but he can do it beautifully. Of course, it is up to you. If you want a CEREC crown that badly, you can likely have one–from another dentist who doesn’t care as much about the aesthetics. Just know they’ll be a litle flat looking.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Mike Malone.

Invisalign

Can Invisalign Substitute for A Sport’s Mouthguard?

I’m on the football team and just got invisalign. My coach said I can’t practice or play without a mouthguard. Can I use my invsalign as that because I don’t think I’m supposed to take them off?

Tommy H. – Denver

Tommy,

You can’t subsitute your Invisalign for a mouthguard. It doesn’t absorb the shock for your teeth like a true sport’s mouthguard does. You’ll have to get one.

It won’t hurt your treatment, as long as you only take them out for practice and eating. Much more than that and you could have a problem.

It shows responsibility that you were concerned about taking them out and you had the foresight to check if they’d work in both situations.

I have confidence that you’re going to do very well with your treatment, and with football.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Mike Malone.

Porcelain Veneers

Can porcelain veneers fix a tooth gap?

If I have a tooth gap between my center top front teeth, can porcelain veneers close the gap?

Lucy P – North Dakota

Lucy,

Yes, porcelain veneers can close a tooth gap. However, unless there are other things about your teeth you’d like to change, there is a less expensive fix.

Dental bonding is a simple way to close a tooth gap. It uses composite resin. Your dentist will manually shape it to your teeth, blending it to look naturally with your front teeth.

Porcleian veneers are better for a total smile makeover.  They can change the shape, size, and color of your teeth. They can completely remake your smile.

However, they do cost more than bonding. Which procedure you should get will be determined by your goals and desires for your smile.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Mike Malone.

Cosmetic Dentist

Why won’t my dentist let me get lumineers?

I want to get lumineers, but my dentist Dr. ———– says they’re not any good. Shouldn’t it be my choice?

Tara M. – Kentucky

Tara,

I know the dentist you’re referring to. He’s actually a very good cosmetic dentist and he can give you a gorgeous smile. There are a lot of good cosmetic dentists who aren’t crazy about lumineers. Mostly that stems from the fact that the Lumineers company requires dentists to use their lab, which to be quite frank, isn’t that great.

Yes, it is up to you, but you’re going to your dentist for his expertise. Maybe you should trust his instinct. If you’re worried, you can tell your dentist that you want to approve the try ins. But, again, he’s a great dentist and would have you do that anyway.

One thing to bear in mind is that Lumineers are just a brand of porcelain veneers. There are several different brands of veneers. Each of them have their own characteristics and a great cosmetic dentist will know which one is the best option for the type of smile you want.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Mike Malone.

CEREC

Why doesn’t my CEREC crown match?

I needed another crown. My new dentist (from my new city) suggested a CEREC crown. I was all for the one appointment thing, but was disappointed in the results. My other crowns match my teeth. My CEREC doesn’t. It’s obviously different from the rest of my smile. Is that a CEREC drawback?

Tatiana M. – Arkansas

Tatiana,

CEREC crowns can definitely match your teeth. I suspect the problem is your new dentist. It’s the dentist who does the coloring and other details of how the crown will look.

Though your dentist may be technically proficient, that doesn’t mean he has the artistic skill. That is a completely different skill set and often requires much different training than you get in dental school.

It sounds like your old dentist had that ability and your new dentist doesn’t. You may have to go somewhere else to have the crown re-done if you want it to match your other teeth.

This blog is brought to you by cosmetic dentist Dr. Mike Malone.

CEREC

Persistent Pain with CEREC crown

I got a CEREC crown on a molar. I’ve had horrible pain ever since, whenever I bite down on anything. My dentist blames it on the way I chew. He said I have a cow chewing effect and that is the cause.  I’m wondering how that is possible if it didn’t hurt before.

Mika B. – Denver, CO

Mika,

I’m with you. I see no reason why you would suddenly start chewing like a cow. My suspicion is your dentist is just not quite up to snuff on this procedure.

CEREC crowns are milled by a computer, so they’re usually easier to place. That being said, there are two things that can go wrong.

  1. It is placed too high. If that happens, whenever you bite down, that tooth is higher than the others. That would cause sensitivity whenever you bite down.
  2. A second possibility is that the underlying tooth is infected. It’s possible something was missed.

Because I’m not sure your dentist is handling this well, I would get a second opinion from an endodontist.

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

Porcelain Veneers

Don’t listen to your dentist!

My dentist has recommended I get porcelain veneers to fix my teeth.  There is a large gap (about 10 mm). He thinks two veneers in the front should cover it.  I’m a little concerned, because the gap is so large and thought I should get a second opinion. What are your thoughts?

Brandon K. – Oklahoma

Brandon,

I’m exceedingly glad you wrote before you went forward with that treatment.  A 10mm gap is enough to fit in an entire new tooth.  Just placing two porcelain veners will look a little weird.  Plus, if you’re going to do porcelain veneers, you generally want to get all the visible teeth of your top arch done in a way that looks completely natural.

I would like you to see an AACD accredited dentist for a second opinion. These dentists are of the highest calibar of cosmetic dentists in the country.  They’ll be able to give you the most beautiful and natural solution to your situation.

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